Climate justice

Today on my walk I listened to a Freakonomics podcast that featured the science writer Charles C. Mann, author of The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow's World, as well as present-day exemplars of those two mindsets: Nathan Myhrvold, former chief technology officer at Microsoft and co-founder of the think tank Intellectual Ventures; and Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and special envoy for climate change, and author of the book Climate Justice. It was a fascinating set of discussions, and as with so many things, it underscored the complexity both of this earth and the problems we face, and of any possible paths toward solutions to those problems. Human beings are nothing if not stubborn. Why is it so hard for people to give up black-and-white thinking and admit that grays exist—and then put their heads together to come up with something better?

It all got me pondering one of the topics they discussed, climate justice—the disproportionate effects of climate change on historically marginalized and underserved communities—and wondering what organizations are trying to address this important need. Rather than come up with my own list, I'll simply link to a few lists I found online, ranging from local and grassroots to national and international. There are so many people out there doing good work. All of them can use help, if you are considering making any donations anytime soon.

At Vice, there is "12 Environmental Justice Organizations to Donate Time and Money To"—these include the Indigenous Environmental Network, 350.org, Black Millennials for Flint, and on up to the Union of Concerned Scientists

1% for the Planet (itself a worthy organization) has a great list of local, regional, and national nonprofits fighting for social and environmental justice

The Climate Alliance Mapping Project also has a list, which includes a few groups not covered in the others mentioned here 

Human Rights Careers posted a list of "20 International NGOs Defending Environmental Rights"

A few of the most pertinent individual groups I turned up include Grassroots International, the Environmental Justice Foundation, and the Climate Justice Alliance.

So many people fighting for a better future. I may adopt climate justice as my "giving theme" for the coming year. It's the least I can do....