We live in a state of climate crisis. The climate system has been deeply affected by humans and the consequences of these changes are felt around the world. We are currently on a temperature increase of 0.8 degrees with a pathway to an increase of at least 3 to 6 degrees. If at the current temperature people are already severely impacted by floods, droughts, superstorms and typhoons, a 3-degree warming will clearly result in catastrophic events.

Paradoxically, the people who are first impacted are those who live in the most vulnerable communities, those who have the least responsibility in creating this issue to begin with. These people are also deeply affected by poverty and inequality. The fight against climate change is about people and the right to develop. People in impacted communities should be able to address the consequences of climate change while addressing their existing inequalities.

From a Climate Justice perspective, we recognize that only a systemic solution will suffice to solve this climate crisis while addressing the inequality gap in the world. We need to get to the very roots of this problem, as well as change our economic models and the way our societies are structured in order to provide the real solutions that are needed.

Departing from the idea that we are facing a systematic problem, it becomes very obvious that the solution to the climate crisis requires a systemic analysis. The importance of the Climate Justice movement becomes very clear- it unifies and aligns many struggles under an umbrella that strives for a systemic change. The effects of the climate crisis and the social problems that we all face are part of the same issue and are all deeply interconnected. There is an urgent need to converge local and global resistance in a unified call for radical change.

A common concern when referring to climate change is the future. The truth is that we are no longer looking into the future, the climate crisis is now a problem of immediacy. There are communities in the front lines directly suffering the impacts of climate change, with hundreds of thousands of people dying every year. We need to stop thinking about climate change in terms of the future and start recognizing the different peoples around the world that are having to deal with it in this precise moment. It is time to stop thinking about those upon which climate is inflicting damage as this faceless entity, and acknowledge that the effects of climate change are real and are present.

Enough is said about contributions, numbers and negotiations. We need to start talking about climate change avoiding alienating language, such as: ppm, INDCs, degrees, UNFCCC, COP, etc., and adopt a type of language that increases people’s agency and ability to engage. Power to People make people agents of action, agents of change. It is people, citizens, who have the power to transform our own societies and deliver the kind of global transformation that we need. We need to rethink the way in which our societies are organized and people participate in such structures. Real change.