By Brian Seroney
Time and again, language in climate action has been put to test. Is it a fight for climate justice or advocating for climate justice? There has been constant discussion over advocacy and activism, and which would bear the best of results and impact most communities. Does this all matter when the climate crisis is more than rising temperatures but stems to equity, rights and survival.
Climate justice has been regarded a political tool for stakeholders to settle scores rather than acting for the good of the people. Over time, countless petitions and legal cases have been filed in the name of activism. Not only does this prolong the negative climate effects to the communities affected, but also politicizes the climate agenda.
The climate justice journey needs purpose – an agenda that is fit-for-purpose and people driven. It should be about the battle against systemic injustices that fuel environmental destructions leading to climate hazards. It should involve corporates, industries and parties that prioritize profits over the planer, the policies that cushion them and the leaders promoting laws that do not factor in ecosystem benefits.
It has been a cliché, that climate change is happening, and because we do not see the effects in our day to day activities, this makes us not act promptly. Recently, reports have indicated that 2024 was the warmest year on record yet.
Statistically, these are usual numbers for the papers and scientists to show expertise in data analysis. However, these are numbers that reflect the climate situation; and in the global south it gets worse. The recently experienced wildfires, the extreme temperatures, the drying wetlands – these are the underlying effects of a warming earth.
Should we act right now? We do not have many options regarding our response, and better off timely response. Hence, climate justice, whether fighting for or advocating for, has to be a top priority.
Globally, youths are acting. They are on the frontline in advocating for progressive and inclusive policies to developing innovative climate solutions and leading grassroot communities in adopting climate smart projects. The Climate Justice Camp, the biggest of its kind in the global south has been an instrumental platform for building capacity for youth leaders, co-creating strategies that transcend boundaries and supporting the groups with resources.
Over time, we have been able to see various Global South countries adopting the learnt strategies in their countries. In Kenya, various alumni of the camp are already working on climate smart agriculture trainings and setting up community nurseries. These efforts include the youths championing for protection of traditional knowledge systems, as an important aspect of climate justice. The efforts go beyond activism, it is about community priorities.
Collaboration is key in climate justice. Co-creating strategies with communities and linking them to policy makers and stakeholders enables them to amplify their impact. This, for the youth, is beyond protests and roadside chanting, it is about solutions that drive positive change.
The fight for, and advocating for climate justice is progressive. It needs more youths to come on board, step in to leadership, participate in negotiations and shape policies that are intergenerational. This eventually makes the movement organic and not just by words but by actionable strategies. So, are we fighting for or advocating for climate justice?
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