By Kanisha Acharya-Patel, Staff Lawyer
Climate change, primarily caused by human activities, is threatening the health of ecosystems on which we depend for survival. Climate justice recognizes that certain communities, and particularly Indigenous peoples, face greater impacts from climate change, including food and water insecurity, because their inherent and Treaty rights are so intrinsically linked to the well-being of the ecosystems they rely upon.
For governments to advance climate justice, they must take a human-rights based approach to climate action that centers the needs and inclusion of those most affected by climate change. This means respecting Indigenous peoples’ rights, honouring Treaty promises, and making space for Indigenous-led climate action.
Use this fact sheet – developed as part of our 5-Part Public Legal Education Series – to learn about the causes and impacts of climate change, how it’s being addressed in law and policy, and why climate justice must be at the centre of climate action. We encourage you to share this resource with your network, and please reach out to us (info@naturesdefence.ca) if you have any questions.
You can download this resource using the following link: Get to Know: Climate Change and the Law