Excerpts from a superb op-ed by Dr. Farhana Sultana (@farhanasultana)...
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The climate crisis is a human-made catastrophe resulting from centuries of exploitation and disregard for the environment, driven by the relentless pursuit of capitalist profit and power. That makes it a crisis of governance and prioritization of how problems are presented, solutions are pursued, and interventions are funded.
Climate change is also not a universal burden. Its impacts are unevenly distributed, with the most vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of its devastating effects. Meanwhile, the power to determine climate change responses and solutions has been concentrated in the hands of wealthy nations and corporations.
This is the essence of what is called climate coloniality. It refers to the various ways legacies of colonialism haunt the climate emergency — how colonial and imperial era’s exploitative and discriminatory ideologies and institutions not only shape who is disproportionately impacted by climate change globally but also who has the power to determine policies, solutions, and financing.
Current climate governance and decision-making approaches are rooted in the same colonial mindsets that led us to this very crisis. They continue (and worsen) the same power dynamics, inequities, and injustices. They are not just inadequate — they are part of the problem.
Decolonizing climate governance requires a radical shift in our approach to the climate emergency. It requires us to confront the colonial and capitalist legacies that enduringly shape our world. It necessitates challenging the power dynamics that perpetuate climate coloniality. It demands centering the voices, experiences, and knowledge systems of diverse Black, Indigenous, and people of color in climate solutions, while also learning from communities in the Global South.
Decolonization is not just about dismantling the structures of colonialism. It is also about healing from its wounds. It’s about acknowledging the violence and material outcomes of colonialism and capitalism and then creating pathways for decolonization toward climate justice.
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FULL ARTICLE -- https://truthout.org/articles/fossil-fuel-exec-is-slated-to-lead-cop28-we-must-decolonize-climate-governance/
#Environment #Climate #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #ClimateJustice #Capitalism #BusinessAsUsual
#COP28
@breadandcircuses @farhanasultana Our economies would rather take their chances than fix the issue. You know, too costly, too hard on profits. 🤔
