The Essential Link Between Climate and Queer Justice
“Trans and queer communities, especially black and brown and low-income queer and trans people, live on the frontlines of climate change.”
The intersection of queer justice and climate justice highlights the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in the face of climate change. Understanding and addressing these challenges is essential for creating a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
Increased Vulnerability to Climate-Related Disasters
LGBTQIA+ individuals are at greater risk of climate-related disasters due to two main factors:
Geographic Distribution: LGBTQIA+ populations are often concentrated in areas more vulnerable to extreme weather events.
Structural Inequalities: Systemic and structural inequalities can intensify the impacts of climate change.
Many LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique vulnerabilities due to systemic discrimination, particularly transgender and gender non-conforming people, leading to lower financial resilience. High rates of homelessness and housing insecurity—40 percent of U.S. homeless youth identify as LGBTQIA+, despite representing just 7 percent of the population—make them more susceptible to the impacts of extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. A 2015 study found that 70% of transgender people seeking emergency shelter experienced mistreatment due to their gender identity. In addition, access to healthcare, a significant challenge for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, becomes even more critical as climate change exacerbates health risks, including heat-related illnesses and respiratory issues from increased air pollution.
Economic Disparities and Climate Risks
This month, on June 13, we observed LGBTQIA+ Equal Pay Awareness Day. According to the Human Rights Foundation, LGBTQIA+ workers earn approximately 90 cents for every dollar earned by the average worker in the U.S., with LGBTQIA+ women earning only 87 cents per dollar. This economic disparity means LGBTQIA+ individuals are less likely to have the resources needed to recover from climate-related disasters, reinforcing and deepening existing inequalities.
As climate change drives up costs for essentials like food, housing, and healthcare, those with less economic stability will struggle more to meet their basic needs.
Strategies for Intersectional Justice
Addressing these issues requires integrating climate justice with queer justice to ensure policies and interventions are inclusive and equitable. Key strategies include:
Inclusive Climate Policies: Actively involving queer individuals in decision-making processes and ensuring their specific needs are addressed in climate action plans.
Safe and Affordable Housing: Creating supportive housing initiatives that provide emergency shelter and long-term solutions, especially during climate-related disasters.
Accessible Healthcare: Ensuring healthcare services are inclusive and accessible for queer individuals, with trained providers and climate-related health resources.
Economic Empowerment: Developing job training and financial assistance programs to address economic insecurities exacerbated by climate change.
Mental Health Support: Providing community-based mental health programs tailored to the needs of queer individuals, including those related to climate anxiety.
The fight for queer justice and climate justice are deeply interconnected. Building a unified movement requires solidarity, empathy, and a commitment to intersectional approaches.
The Role of Responsible Investing and Public Pensions
So, what role do public pensions play in the movement for intersectional environmental justice? Public pension funds are crucial in promoting responsible investing practices that can help mitigate systemic inequities and climate risks. With over $6.5 trillion in assets, U.S. public pension funds significantly influence corporate behaviors and investment trends. Pension funds can drive meaningful change by prioritizing and integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria in their investment strategies.
Responsible investing involves directing capital towards companies and projects that promote sustainable practices and social equity. This approach helps address climate risks and ensures that investments contribute to a fairer and more just society. Public pension funds can:
Advocate for Climate-Sensitive Investments: Pension funds can help mitigate climate risks by investing in companies committed to reducing their carbon footprint and implementing sustainable practices.
Promote Social Equity: Investments can be directed towards initiatives that support affordable housing, healthcare, and economic opportunities for historically excluded communities, including the LGBTQIA+ community.
Enhance Corporate Accountability: Pension funds can use their shareholder power to push for greater transparency and accountability in corporate governance, ensuring that companies prioritize ESG risks.
Integrating responsible investing principles allows public pensions to safeguard the retirement futures of workers while building a resilient and inclusive economy. Addressing the unique vulnerabilities of the queer community within the context of the climate crisis ensures that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a sustainable future, and advocating for responsible investing and equitable climate policies ensures a world where all individuals, regardless of their identity, have the opportunity to thrive.
ABOUT CLIMATE FINANCE ACTION
Climate Finance Action (CFA) is a women-led, 501(C)3 non-profit organization equipping stakeholders and decision-makers to leverage the transformative power of publicly-held capital for real-world climate solutions to ensure a just transition to an inclusive economy in favor of people and the planet. With a focus on collaboration, education, and strategic partnerships, CFA has facilitated groundbreaking dialogues, developed comprehensive educational materials, and engaged with numerous stakeholders— educating 8,000+ union leaders and members and advising over 40 state treasurers and pension staff working towards policy reform.
