ABSTRACT

Economic inequalities throughout the region, high unemployment and poverty rates, gutted housing markets in some cities where industries have closed down, depleted tax bases, and collapsing infrastructure mean that climate resilience is shaky in many parts of the Great Lakes region. Addressing climate change is especially difficult because it worsens existing inequities among people. Climate justice and just action imply a special and enormous burden on current generations; the obligation to posterity implies that we, in the small amount of time remaining, find some way to avoid the darkest aspects of Earth-system change. “Climate justice” also names a movement of people worldwide who insist that equity must be front and centre in all climate-related activism and policy. Youth activists, too, have special credibility, motivation, and impact; ­wherever in the world they live, their options and future prospects are already being shaped by the accelerating climate crisis. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.