From the Heinrich Boll Stiftung framing paper 'Racism and Climate (In)Justice: How Racism and Colonialism Shape the Climate Crisis and Climate Action' (Abimbola, Aikins, Makhesi-Wilkinson & Roberts, 2021, CC BY-NC-ND): Racism and climate change have been intertwined since their inception, and both colonial continuities and hierarchies continue to determine climate policy and action. The two crises can only be addressed in tandem - and current climate governance fails to do so. The paper shows the effects of the dominance of the Global North in UN-led processes and climate movement organizations, including the tokenization of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPoC) and the constraints they face in assuming leadership positions, while mainstream representation of BIPoC as 'victims of climate change' negates their roles as knowledge holders, innovators and leaders.
Racism and Climate (In)Justice
From the Heinrich Boll Stiftung framing paper 'Racism and Climate (In)Justice: How Racism and Colonialism Shape the Climate Crisis and Climate Action' (Abimbola, Aikins, Makhesi-Wilkinson & Roberts, 2021, CC BY-NC-ND): Racism and climate change have been intertwined since their inception, and both colonial continuities and hierarchies continue to determine climate policy and action. The two crises can only be addressed in tandem - and current climate governance fails to do so. The paper shows the effects of the dominance of the Global North in UN-led processes and climate movement organizations, including the tokenization of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPoC) and the constraints they face in assuming leadership positions, while mainstream representation of BIPoC as 'victims of climate change' negates their roles as knowledge holders, innovators and leaders.
Related resources
Theory and frameworks Reading List
The sources on this list relate to theory and frameworks. They are not freely accessible online - most require a library subscription, institutional access, or purchase.
Climate justice & decolonising Reading List
The sources on this list relate to climate justice & decolonising. They are not freely accessible online - most require a library subscription, institutional access, or purchase.
Descent in the Time of Climate Change
Explore more resources
Browse the full Research and Resources library, more articles, papers, podcasts, and reading lists.
Join the community
CPA is built collaboratively, by members for members. If this work resonates, come and join us.
