Environmental injustices do not only affect the environment – they have impact on people as well. And often times, those impacts vary on people depending on where they live and their socioeconomic status. For example, climate change includes changing weather patterns, rising sea level, and more extreme weather events – situations that will affect the poor and vulnerable the most. These people suffer due to climate change and its negative side effects like drought, water shortages, floods, crop failures, and food insecurity. And while the poor won’t be the only ones to feel these side effects, they don’t have the adequate resources to deal with them.

What can you do as a peacemaker? You can raise awareness and educate people on environmental issues and how they impact local communities. You can also understand the perspectives of people on both sides of the issue. For example, while we know that burning coal contributes to climate change, a coal miner might see that as his only job opportunity. Try creating a project that provides alternatives for people taking negative action against the environment.

Organizations Working in this Area:

• The Conservation Fund

Resources:

How Social Justice and Environmental Justice are Intrinsically Interconnected
Is Protecting the Environment Incompatible with Social Justice?

Related Sustainable Development Goals: