From the Problem of Environmental Justice To Climate Justice

Abstract

The concept of environmental justice, which was only in the discourse of indigenous and poor communities or marginalized groups until a short time ago, has turned into a global problem with the changing climate and is now being studied under the name of climate justice. Although it is expected that changing conditions, climate, people who hold power and wealth, wrong or incomplete policies applied, and sometimes even lack of politics, will affect all people equally in every corner of the world in the 21st century, it is clear that this is not the case. This injustice has become more visible in the right to be represented in decision- making processes, being the voice of neglected minority groups, system- based inequalities in social and economic fields, and intra- and inter- generational justice. The benefits and costs related to climate change (environmental degradation, drought, decrease in freshwater resources, health, etc.) are unevenly distributed. Climate justice, which is one of the pursuits of environmental justice, and issues that played an important role in shaping this movement are discussed in this report. Particularly in the environmental context, it should be taken into account that there is a clear injustice between groups that cannot be treated equally and equitably. Although the concepts of climate justice and environmental justice differ in terms of their origins, their scope and goals are similar. In this respect, both approaches to justice produce solutions to ensure sustainable social justice by protecting nature, climate, and people. These two concepts have been tried to be explained in line with their principles and scopes. © 2023 Peter Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften.