Heliox: Where Evidence Meets Empathy

Lancet Countdown 2024: Health and Climate Change 2 of 3

by SC Zoomers Season 1 Episode 54

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Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of climate justice in this episode of the Heliox Podcast. Our hosts dive into how climate change affects different communities unequally, from urban heat islands to global food security. Through engaging conversation and real-world examples, they unpack how historical inequalities, socioeconomic factors, and political systems all play a role in who bears the heaviest burden of our changing climate. But it's not all challenges – you'll also discover practical ways to be part of the solution, from local community action to global advocacy. Whether you're new to climate justice or deeply involved, this episode offers fresh perspectives on building a future that works for everyone. Part of a special three-part series on climate change and health, this discussion bridges the gap between understanding climate impacts and taking meaningful action.

The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action

The record-breaking human costs of climate change

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01822-1/abstract




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Welcome back to our deep dive into climate change and health. Last time, we uncovered some pretty alarming stuff about how rising temperatures and extreme weather are already impacting our lives. Yeah, and we touched on how these impacts aren't hitting everyone equally. Right, which is exactly what we're unpacking in this part, the crucial issue of climate justice. It's a big one. Okay, so let's get into it. When we talk about climate justice, what exactly do we mean? Well, it comes down to understanding that the burdens of climate change and even the benefits of the solutions are not distributed fairly. So it's like those who have contributed the least to the problem are often the ones hit hardest. Exactly. Think about communities that are already facing poverty, discrimination, or just limited resources. So a double whammy for those communities. It really is. And this plays out in a lot of ways, you know, shaping access to healthcare, food security, safe housing. It goes on and on. That's heavy stuff. Can you give us some real world examples of what this actually looks like? Absolutely. Let's go back to those heat waves we talked about earlier. We know extreme heat can be deadly and the Lancet countdown report showed that these deaths are rising. And we touched on how infants and seniors are particularly at risk. Yes, but it's not just about age. It's also about your socioeconomic status, your living conditions. All of those things factor in. Imagine a low income neighborhood with very few green spaces, older buildings that don't have good insulation, and people who might not be able to afford air conditioning. Okay, I see where you're going with this. Now compare that to a wealthier area, you know, one with lots of trees, modern homes designed to be energy efficient, and everyone has easy access to AC. A heat wave hits both places, but the impact is drastically different. So even within the same city, people can be having totally different experiences of that same heat wave. Exactly. And a lot of times these differences are rooted in long standing inequalities, not just individual choices. It's like those cracks were already there and the heat wave just makes them more obvious. Yeah, that's a great way to put it. And we see the same pattern with other climate impacts too, like food security, for example. Right. The report showed that millions more people are facing food insecurity because of climate change. Exactly. So imagine a rural community, one that depends heavily on farming. Let's say their crops fail because there's a drought and they have very few resources to adapt. You know, they can't just go to the store and buy a bunch of food. I get it. Now think about a different community, maybe one with more diverse income sources, access to supermarkets and government support, maybe even some kind of safety net. When a food shortage happens, the impact is going to be much more severe for that first community. So it's not just about the climate event itself. It's about those underlying vulnerabilities that get magnified. Exactly. You know, climate change is like a threat multiplier. It takes those existing inequalities and makes them worse. And what about those infectious diseases we talked about? Does climate justice play a role in that too? For sure. You know, as climate change makes it easier for disease carrying insects to spread, it's often the communities least equipped to handle them that are most at risk. I can see how that would be a problem. They might not have access to health care or maybe there's a lack of sanitation or even just accurate information about how to prevent the spread of these diseases. Right. So it's like a vicious cycle. Climate change sets the stage for disease. And then those inequalities make people more vulnerable. Exactly. And it's not just about what's happening within countries. There's a big global dimension to climate justice as well. What do you mean? Well, think about it. The countries that have contributed the least to climate change, you know, often those in the global south with developing economies, they're often the ones facing the worst effects. That's not fair at all. No, it's not. You know, they might be dealing with rising sea levels or more intense storms or disruptions to their agriculture, even though their actions had very little to do with causing the problem. So it's almost like those who benefited the least from industrialization are now bearing the brunt of it. It is. And a big part of climate justice is acknowledging the historical responsibility of those wealthier nations and making sure they contribute fairly to the solutions. It's a lot to think about. Individual impacts, community level impacts, global scale impacts. So what are some of the biggest roadblocks to actually achieving climate justice? Like, what's standing in our way? I'd say one of the biggest challenges is a lack of political will. What do you mean? Well, many governments and corporations are still focused on short term profits, even if it means sacrificing long term sustainability and equity. I could see how that would be a problem. They might delay climate policies or fail to invest in vulnerable communities or even actively damage the environment. So part of the solution is about changing those priorities and making sure the people in power are actually taking this seriously. Exactly. We need to hold our leaders accountable and demand real action. We need policies that focus on justice and equity alongside those emission reduction targets. But it's not just about governments, right? Individuals have a role to play, too. Totally. We need choices that lessen our own impact, like we talked about earlier, eating less meat, being mindful of our energy use, supporting better transportation options. Yes, every little thing counts. But individual actions are going to be much more effective when they're part of a bigger movement for systemic change. We have to raise awareness, engage in our communities and fight for those policies that promote justice and equity at every level. So we need both individual action and systemic change. They got to work together. Exactly. And another big obstacle is a lack of representation and inclusion when those climate decisions are being made. What do you mean? Well, historically, you know, marginalized communities, the ones most impacted by climate change, they've often been left out of the conversations about climate policy. Their voices aren't heard, their needs aren't prioritized, and often the solutions don't address the root cause of their vulnerability. So it's like trying to solve a problem without talking to the people who are actually experiencing it. That's exactly it. And that's why climate justice is about making sure that those most impacted have a voice and that their perspectives shape the solutions. They need to be able to influence how those resources are allocated. It's about shifting power dynamics. Yeah. And acknowledging that the people closest to the problem often have the best solutions. They do. And there's one more layer to this that we can't ignore the legacy of colonialism and exploitation. Oh, right. I can see how that would be connected. You know, for centuries, wealthy nations in the global north have benefited from extracting resources and polluting the planet. And this has often come at the expense of countries in the global south. So there's this kind of historical debt that needs to be acknowledged as part of any climate action plan. Exactly. We can't just look at current emissions. We have to recognize that historical responsibility of the countries that got rich off those practices that caused this crisis in the first place. Okay, I'm following you. But how does that translate into action? What does that actually look like? Well, it means going beyond just reducing emissions. Wealthier nations need to help developing countries transition to clean energy and adapt to those climate impacts. They need to help them build resilience without being burdened with even more debt. So it's about sharing responsibility and resources in a way that makes up for those past wrongs. Exactly. You know, this is about so much more than just making individual changes like switching to energy efficient light bulbs or driving less. It's about changing systems of oppression and rethinking how we value people and the planet. Wow, you're right. It really puts things in perspective. But with all these complexities, where do we even begin? What can we actually do to move toward that vision of climate justice? Well, I think one of the most important things is to support the organizations and groups that are already doing this work. You know, find grassroots groups that are fighting for environmental justice in their communities. Donate to organizations working on climate policy. Amplify the voices of those who are most affected. Find your people, find your cause and get involved. Exactly. And don't underestimate the power of education. Read books, listen to podcasts like this one, attend webinars, just learn as much as you can about climate justice and share that knowledge with others. The more people who understand how complex this issue is, the better equipped we'll be to act. Knowledge is power. Totally. But what about actually changing the systems, the policies, the structures that perpetuate all of these injustices? Well, that's where political action comes in. We need to hold our elected officials accountable for taking bold action on climate change and make sure that their actions are centered around justice and equity. Write to them, call them, show up at those town hall meetings. Just make your voice heard and demand that they prioritize those most vulnerable. So it's about being active citizens, not passive bystanders. Exactly. Oh, and don't forget the power of voting. You know, support candidates who champion climate justice and hold those in office accountable for those promises. I'll definitely keep that in mind come election time. What about our spending habits? Can we make a difference with how we spend our money? Absolutely. Every time we buy something, we're voting for the kind of world we want to see. So choose to support those businesses that are committed to sustainability and ethical practices. And on the flip side, divest from those that are actively contributing to the problem. Think about where your money is going and align your financial choices with your values. So it's about putting our money where our mouth is, making sure we're supporting solutions, not the problems. Exactly. Every choice we make, you know, from the food we buy to the clothes we wear to the companies we invest in, it can all be a step towards a more just and sustainable future. I love that. It makes you feel like you can actually make a difference. We can. It can feel overwhelming, but we're not alone in this. There's this whole movement growing around the world, people who are demanding climate justice and pushing for systemic change. That's encouraging. It is. Connect with that movement. Find your place and know that what you're doing, no matter how small, is part of something much bigger. This has been such an eye opening conversation. We've gone so deep into the issue of climate justice, you know, the disparities, the barriers and also the solutions. It's clear that this is about so much more than just climate change. It's connected to inequality, poverty, human rights, environmental degradation, so many things. It's all connected. And we have to realize that climate action isn't just about cutting those emissions. It's about building a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. It's about justice. It's about equity. It's about a future that works for everyone, not just a few. That's a powerful vision. So as we wrap up this part of our deep dive, what's the one key takeaway you'd like to leave our listeners with? What should they remember as they continue on their own climate journey? I want everyone to remember that hope is not passive. Hope is an action. It's not enough to just want a better future. We have to actually work for it. Challenge the status quo, demand justice, create solutions, and don't underestimate your own power to be a part of making things better. That's a powerful message and a great segue into the final part of this deep dive. We've covered a lot of ground, but there's one more crucial piece of the puzzle that we need to explore. The healthcare sector. Right. Stay tuned for part three, where we're going to go deep on the role healthcare plays in both contributing to climate change and also being a part of the solution. It's a fascinating topic. I can't wait to break it all down. Until then, keep diving deeper. See you next time. you

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