Besides being a political, economic, social and environmental problem, climate change is also a moral issue. Injustice is central in the climate change struggle. 25 countries produce 83 % of the world's CO2 emissions alone and 80 % of the world's resources are consumed or owned by only 15 % of us. This leaves 85 % of the world's population with only 20 % of the world's resources!

Climate injustice is clearly visible in the asymmetrical relationship between those responsible for CO2 emission and those affected by the consequences of a changing climate. Those least responsible and most affected are also those situated in the most vulnerable regions of world, with the least capacity to adapt to the increased challenges. This is seen in all aspects of development efforts, from food insecurity to gender issues and ecological degradation.

 In Malawi, 84 % of the people (16 mill!) are dependent on agriculture for their income and livelihood, while 40 % of the GDP is from agriculture. The country is extremely vulnerable to climatic variability and extreme weather events, as shown in the recent flood in the beginning of this year. The flood caused 230 000 people to flee their homes, crop destruction, the killing of livestock, and homes and villages swept away. The increased frequency of floods and droughts in Malawi has devastating effects, and further increases issues of poverty and vulnerability.

Climate change is not a neutral issue. It is caused by, and increases, already existing economic, political and social inequalities. The skewed power relations between those responsible and those affected has also led to a problem of motivation. Those required to change the most to address climate change (wealthy and powerful consumers, governments and corporations) are those with the least incentive to do so, as they are also the ones least affected by the current consequences of climate change. A major challenge related to this is that for a long time, businesses and governments have been exempt from the rule of cleaning up their own mess. It is high time to change this.

While countries like Malawi feel the impacts of climate change the hardest, the process of climate change negotiations is dominated by developed countries. Being allowed to set the agenda is a powerful privilege and it is imperative to question who are allowed to set prices, targets and definitions. An international framework has to address the needs of developing countries. The most crucial aspect to achieve more equity is allowing these states equal negotiating opportunities. The movement for climate justice has to come from the grass-roots and across issues and national borders. It is a global dynamic movement which is built on the demand for a more just and equitable world.

http://spireorg.no/arkiv/youth-addressing-climate-justice-in-malawi