Climate Change and Climate Justice

Current Week Focus

  • Topics:

    • Anthropogenic Climate Change

    • Climate and Environmental Justice

  • Learning Objectives:

    • Define anthropogenic climate change.

    • Describe evidence and consequences of this change, and the primary emission sources.

    • Identify challenges and pathways for mitigation and adaptation.

    • Examine the links between climate change drivers and impacts on marginalized communities, addressing health outcomes and historical policy implications.

Graph Analysis

  • Graph 1: Global Mean Temperature Change

    • Displays a 12-month moving average of global temperatures, with a 95% uncertainty range and a 30-year LOESS smooth trend.

    • Anomalies are calculated relative to the 1850-1900 average.

  • Graph 2: Global Warming Trends Over Time

    • Observations show temperature anomalies from 1850 to 2024, highlighting significant climate shifts.

  • Natural Disaster Trends:

    • Data indicating billion-dollar weather disasters in the U.S. for 2024, including hazards like droughts, floods, hurricanes, and severe storms.

Causes of Climate Change

  • Carbon Dioxide Emissions:

    • Trends from 1751-2024 indicating rising levels of atmospheric CO₂ measured in parts per million (ppm) and gigatons of emissions.

  • Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Mechanism:

    • GHGs like CO₂ trap heat in the atmosphere, resulting in global temperature increases.

Emission Sources and Demographics

  • U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector (2022):

    • Residential & Commercial: 13%

    • Transportation: 28%

    • Agriculture: 10%

    • Electric Power: 25%

    • Industry: 23%

  • Carbon Majors Database:

    • Identifies 122 industrial producers responsible for a significant portion of cumulative historical CO₂ emissions (72% since 1751).

  • Global Disparities:

    • Discusses per capita CO₂ emissions and how wealth distribution affects these figures.

Climate Change and Health Impacts

  • Direct Health Impacts:

    • Air Pollution: asthma and cardiovascular diseases.

    • Extreme Heat: related illnesses and fatalities.

    • Severe Weather: injuries, fatalities, and mental health impacts from disasters.

  • Social Determinants of Health Definitions:

    • Conditions of life impacting health disparities among populations.

The Urban Heat Island Effect

  • Explanation of causes for urban areas retaining more heat compared to rural regions.

  • Impacts on land surface temperatures and health outcomes for city residents.

Addressing Climate Change

  • Importance of adaptation measures:

    • Developing solutions during climate impacts, such as heat waves and natural disasters.

  • Adaptation Strategies:

    • Building resilient infrastructure, disaster response systems, health care accessibility, and enhanced communication methods.

Climate Justice Movements

  • Historical Overview:

    • Environmental Justice movement origins in the 1980s; Climate Justice evolving in the early 2000s focusing on equity and inclusion.

  • Systemic Social Issues:

    • Addressing exclusion, historical governance inequities, and the role of grassroots movements.

Final Thoughts on Climate Action

  • Pathways to Change:

    • Emphasize the inclusion of frontline and marginalized voices in climate decision-making.

    • Advocate for collective action in advocating for better policies and systemic changes.