Five Ways to Talk About Climate Justice and Financial Security
Climate action, workers' rights, and economic sustainability are interconnected. As communities face the dual challenges of environmental change and economic instability, we can help our colleagues and community members understand how these issues intersect and amplify one another. Below are five ways to frame the conversation around climate justice and financial security, offering insights on advocating for a future where the planet and people can thrive.
These prompts will help you navigate and articulate the complexities of this urgent dialogue, whether discussing policy, community resilience, or individual and corporate accountability. They emphasize that economic security and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Start with Equity
Explain that climate justice is about recognizing that climate change doesn't impact everyone equally. Marginalized communities often face the harshest consequences, even though they contribute the least to the problem. This may lead to a discussion about how the past has impacted the present, but it's about emphasizing that inclusive climate solutions are beneficial for everyone.
Connect to Daily Life
Demonstrate the direct impact of climate change on individuals and families to create a stronger connection to the issue, making it more relatable and urgent. Use real-life examples to show how climate change affects jobs, health, and safety, and discuss how vulnerable communities need support in building resilience to these challenges. Climate Outreach shares that, "the key is to bring underlying economic systems to life in ways that people can understand."
Highlight examples of workers facing overexposure to environmental hazards, such as heat exhaustion, injury, and exacerbated health conditions. For instance, recent news from Arizona and California has reported on the severe impact of record-breaking temperatures on workers and communities. Additionally, you can reference reports like Airport Workers United's findings on American Airlines' practices and misalignment between their environmental practices, policies, and statements. Connecting the dialogue to daily life helps people understand that addressing climate change is about protecting the well-being of all, especially those most at risk.
“A report published by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco calculated the cost of extreme heat to Arizona’s economy at $6 million per year, due to related deaths, injury, and decreased worker productivity.”
Connect Climate Risk to Job Security
Explain that climate change directly impacts industries and jobs, which affects long-term job security and retirement plans. The International Labour Organization estimates that the equivalent of 136 million full-time jobs will be lost by 2030 due to the impacts of climate change and heat-related hazards. This is especially significant for low to middle-wage workers who are often outdoors or in environments without sufficient cooling systems. Investing in sustainable practices and green jobs helps protect workers' health but also undergirds the national economy.
Highlight the Role of Pensions in Climate Action
Discuss how pension funds can invest in companies prioritizing sustainability and worker rights to ensure economic and retirement security. Pension funds hold significant influence due to the amount of capital they manage and when they make climate-conscious investment choices that align with their beneficiaries' values and hold companies accountable, they pave the way for a just transition.
Emphasize Ethical Responsibility
Share that climate justice in pensions is about ensuring that workers' retirement money doesn't contribute to environmental harm. It's about ensuring their hard-earned savings help create a just future for generations to come.
Initiating conversations about complex topics like responsible investing and financial security can be difficult and often results in uncertainty for those whose jobs are tied to traditional industries, but climate justice is a shared responsibility. When we ground our conversations and actions in equity, we ensure everyone has the foundational tools to navigate these conversations, a voice in decision-making, and benefits from a healthier planet.
