What is Climate Injustice?

How can the climate be unfair to anyone and why would it be? At the moment, I can only address the "hows." Developed nations cause most pollution or environmental harm; they cut down forests for infrastructure and skyscrapers, consume natural resources for energy, electricity, and automobiles, engage in wars for power, and use atomic and nuclear weapons. Examples include Russia and Ukraine, and Hamas and Israel. These nations often disregard international norms and are saved from climate catastrophes such as floods, droughts, rising temperatures, melting ice, rising sea levels, and extreme weather, due to financial backing. Who bears the cost of all this? Poor nations like Chile and Nepal. Despite being the first carbon-negative nation (offsetting more Greenhouse Gases than it generates), Nepal still suffers from annual landslides. Cities in Africa lack clean water, while countries like the US, European nations, China, and India, waste tons of water for industrial and infrastructural development. This is what climate injustice entails: when the real culprits escape punishment, innocent parties suffer.

Even on a personal level, it is evident that poor and less fortunate individuals living in huts are most susceptible to climate change. They have lived in a manner that minimizes their impact on the environment. They rarely use vehicles, flights, or trains; they avoid wasting food and water and do not contribute to fast fashion or activities that could add to pollution. Yet, when climate-related disasters strike, they are the first to suffer and die. This is the epitome of climate injustice.