Climate Justice in the US: Understanding Disparities and Building a Sustainable Future

Climate change poses an urgent global challenge, but its effects are far from uniform. In a world where the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect marginalized communities, the concept of “climate justice” has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding and advocating for a fair and sustainable future. In this course, we’ll examine how climate change disproportionately impacts different groups and regions in the United States, shedding light on the intricate web of interrelated environmental science, diversity, equity, and ethics issues.Beginning with a comprehensive overview of climate justice concepts and the impacts of climate change on minoritized communities, we’ll move on to examine real-world examples that illustrate the human toll of climate change, such as the Flint, Michigan, water crisis, the California wildfires, and more. Through these case studies, students will discover how affected communities have also become trailblazers in the fight for climate justice. Toward the end of the course, we’ll turn our attention to strategies for combating climate degradation and explore innovative solutions such as Black-led urban agriculture initiatives in Detroit and the powerful Indigenous activism at Standing Rock. This engaging online lecture course will also emphasize active student participation and dialogue. Students will leave the course with a clear understanding of climate justice issues and the inspiration to take meaningful action in their own communities.

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