Late: This Is A Great Draft, Very Thorough, As You M

Late This Is A Great Draft Very Thorough As You M

Although late, this is a great draft! Very thorough! As you move forward, continue to develop, clarify, add to, and revise. Your revision is due before midnight on Sunday. Important Notes for Everyone: * You will need three sources.

The assignment asked the research to inform the time period or place, but I'm also fine with research that supports your topic. Use MLA formatting and citations. Your revision should be a minimum of three to four full pages, double-spaced, using 12 point Times New Roman font. All changes need to be highlighted in your revision before turning in. You can do this with the Word highlighting tool.

Paper For Above instruction

Climate change presents urgent challenges that require a committed and holistic response grounded in the principles of climate justice. As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, human activities are significantly contributing to climate change, jeopardizing the well-being of current and future generations (IPCC, 2021). The long-term ramifications of climate action or inaction will influence environmental, social, and economic conditions across the globe, necessitating comprehensive approaches rooted in equity, sustainability, and justice.

Historically, climate justice has gained prominence as a response to entrenched environmental inequalities, especially evident in environmental racism within the United States. Fisher (2017) emphasizes that the geographical discourse surrounding environmental justice initially focused on local activism—aiming to ensure the fair distribution of environmental hazards and benefits. Over time, this concept expanded to encompass international dimensions, recognizing that climate change affects vulnerable populations differently and that developed nations, with greater access to resources, bear a greater responsibility for mitigation (Jenkins, 2020). This evolution underscores the importance of integrating justice into climate policies and global governance frameworks.

Reunion Island exemplifies the potential for harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, hydropower, sea energy, and biomass to achieve climate justice and sustainable development goals (Selosse et al., 2019). These natural resources position Reunion Island as a case study in transitioning to 100% renewable energy, an essential step toward energy independence and climate mitigation. Achieving such a transition requires structural shifts in energy infrastructure, policy reforms, and community engagement, highlighting the critical role of inclusivity and equity—core tenets of climate justice (Puaschunder, 2020).

Climate justice encompasses the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all communities, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status, in policymaking and environmental governance (Jenkins, 2020). This involves recognizing and addressing historical disparities while ensuring that marginalized groups are actively included in decision-making processes. By informing and educating affected populations about environmental risks and benefits, policymakers can foster strategic participation that is equitable and empowering. These efforts align with the broader goals of sustainable development, emphasizing that environmental justice is integral to achieving global climate objectives.

At the national level, environmental justice has historically focused on combating local pollution and toxic burdens through activist-led initiatives and community advocacy. However, as climate change’s impacts have become more systemic, governments have begun to incorporate justice considerations into policy frameworks. For instance, atmospheric trust litigation in the United States holds government agencies accountable for protecting public trust resources essential to future generations (Fisher, 2017). Such legal strategies exemplify a proactive approach to embedding justice within environmental policymaking, emphasizing responsibility and accountability.

Despite progress, challenges remain in ensuring genuine participation in climate decision-making processes. Inadequate representation of vulnerable communities and lack of equitable distribution of climate costs and benefits threaten to deepen existing inequalities. Consequently, the concept of energy justice has gained prominence as a means to address these gaps by focusing on the fair distribution of energy resources and infrastructure (Jenkins, 2020). Energy justice advocates for policies that prioritize underserved communities, promote clean energy access, and ensure that transition costs do not disproportionately burden marginalized groups.

Regional and international cooperation further exemplify pathways toward climate justice. Countries with substantial resources and stable climates should assume a greater share of mitigation responsibilities, reflecting the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (Puaschunder, 2020). This approach promotes equitable burden sharing, where developed nations contribute more towards emission reductions and support developing nations through financial and technical assistance. Such mechanisms help balance the 'winners' and 'losers' in climate change impacts, fostering a sense of shared responsibility that is vital for global solidarity.

Financial strategies like climate taxes and revenues derived from mitigation efforts can be employed to address disparities. The 'winners'—countries and entities benefiting from climate stability—should contribute proportionally to fund adaptation and mitigation initiatives, while 'losers'—those bearing the brunt of climate impacts—focus on raising revenue and building resilience. This model promotes fairness, accountability, and fairness in addressing climate change's costs, reinforcing the ethical foundation of climate justice (Puaschunder, 2020).

In conclusion, achieving climate justice entails recognizing historical inequalities, engaging marginalized communities, and implementing fair policies at local, national, and global levels. The transition to 100% renewable energy is pivotal in this endeavor, fostering sustainability and equity. By integrating justice principles into climate action plans, societies can ensure that the benefits of environmental progress are shared equitably across generations and borders, paving the way toward a more just and resilient future.

References

• Fisher, S. (2017). The emerging geographies of climate justice. The Geographical Journal, 181(1), 73–82.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Sixth Assessment Report. Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. IPCC.
• Jenkins, K. (2020). Setting energy justice apart from the crowd: Lessons from environmental and climate justice. Energy Research & Social Science, 66, 101461.
• Puaschunder, J. (2020). Mapping climate justice. Governance & Climate Justice. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Selosse, S., et al. (2019). The renewable energy revolution of reunion island. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 107, 99–105.