I am guilty of seeing climate action through the lens of a white settler – searching for solutions that fit into my worldview. This was not how I expected to feel at the completion of the CALS501 Intensive in the MACAL program, however, it underscores the need to honestly reflect upon the question: What is climate action leadership and why does it matter?
In my mind, climate action combines meaningful, broadscale actions directed at restoring balance with nature while ensuring a just transition to sustainability, focusing on minimization of harm to those most vulnerable (International Institute for Sustainable Development, n.d.). I see a climate action leader possessing the humility to realize their place within a larger interconnected community founded on equity and inclusion. Equity requires the dismantling of barriers, be it social, racial, geographical, etc., to create equality. Inclusion ensures representation from all groups with equal value weighted to everyone. As colonialism seized Indigenous lands and oppressed their culture and ways of being, a leader must examine preconceived ideas associated with their position within colonial structures (Smith, 2012). Consequently, many of the world’s leaders on climate change are products of colonial values, therefore, accepted views often fail to align with differing forms of knowledge and relationships with the land (Whyte, 2017).
To address climate change, underlying injustices must be appreciated, particularly the unequal distribution of power to those who are adherent to the Western philosophies largely responsible (Dhillon, 2018). Colonialism effectively disrupted the relationship Indigenous peoples had with the land, founded on reciprocity and respect, and paved the way for capitalism, founded on growth and expansion (Whyte, 2017). Quite simply, if colonialism has played a substantial role in climate change, decolonization is essential to find solutions (Gram-Hanssen et al., 2020). Acknowledging the significant role cultural injustice plays in climate change requires continued reflection on the inherent biases that influence those of us raised within these societies. My lived experience as a settler has shaped my perspective of climate change. A desire to preserve the environment as I know it is mainstream environmentalism – the idea of environmentalism by those in power, focused on preservation of the status quo (Britton-Purdy, 2016). To become a leader in climate action, I must continue to unearth my biases to ensure I am mindful of all worldviews.
“A reconnection with Mother Earth and with each other is fundamental to disrupting global patterns of trauma and mass corrosion of the spirit” (Goodchild, 2021, p. 75). Climate action leadership must focus on building equitable communities between living beings and the planet itself. If we fail to see the interconnectedness of all life, the complexity of climate change is insurmountable (Macy, 2003). Equitable communities require amplification of those who have been oppressed, specifically Indigenous people. Indigenous perspectives are crucial to rectify our relationship with the land and to ensure decolonization can occur (Resilience by Design Lab, 2022). It is difficult to realize that my own view of climate change has been skewed by my privilege. Climate measures limited by an elite, settler view will be insufficient and, more importantly, will harmfully perpetuate the oppression of those most harmed by colonialism (Gram-Hanssen et al., 2021).
There is consensus amongst most climate scientists that the trajectory of human induced climate change threatens all living beings inhabiting our planet (Emanuel, 2020). None of us are independent of our environment. Leaders must acknowledge our membership in a global community; all knowledge is necessary to find sustainable solutions (Goodchild, 2021). Leadership requires awareness of the failures of colonialism in the past and present, including: our focus on growth and capitalism and their contribution to climate change and oppression of people and cultures (Whyte, 2017). How does this new lens translate into broad scale action? I am still learning. I do know that I will start by searching out perspectives that challenge my own so I can continue to develop my understanding of the connections between climate change and injustice. As former Irish president Mary Robinson states: “In our very unequal world today, it’s very striking how many people are left behind” (2015). A climate action leader must seek out solutions focused on righting the missteps of history. That is where I will start.
References
Britton-Purdy, J. (2016, December). Environmentalism was once a social-justice movement. The Atlantic.https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/12/how-the-environmental-movement-can-recover-its-soul/509831/
Dhillon, J. (2018). Introduction: indigenous resurgence, decolonization, and movements for environmental justice. Environment and Society: Advances in Research, 9(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.3167/ares.2018.090101
Emanuel, K. A. (2020). Climate science, risk & solutions. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://climateprimer.mit.edu/climate-science-risk-solutions.pdf
Gram-Hanssen, I., Schafenacker, N., & Bentz, J. (2021). Decolonizing transformations through ‘right relations.’ Sustainability Science, 17(2), 673–685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-021-00960-9
International Institute for Sustainable Development. (n.d.) Just transition. https://www.iisd.org/topics/just-transition
Macy, J. (2003). Chapter 14: the greening of the self. In World as lover, world as self: A guide to living fully in turbulent times. Parallax Press. p.112-118
Resilience By Design Lab (2022). Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives on Climate Adaptation. Module 1: Historical Context of Indigenous Environmental Management
Robinson, M. (2015, May). Why climate change is a threat to human rights [Video]. TEDWomen Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/mary_robinson_why_climate_change_is_a_threat_to_human_rights/transcript?language=en
Smith, L.T. (2012). Colonizing knowledges. Chapter 3. In L. T. Smith, Decolonizing Methodologies Research and Indigenous Peoples (2nd ed., pp. 117-143). Zed Books
Whyte, K.P. (2017). Indigenous climate change studies: Indigenizing futures, decolonizing the Anthropocene. English Language Notes, 55(1-2), 153-162. https://doi.org/10.1215/00138282-55.1-2.153