The climate crisis isn’t just about the environment; it’s a pressing human rights issue. In Australia, temperatures have already risen by 1.5°C since 1910. Small increases in global temperatures can lead to more extreme weather—like heatwaves, storms, droughts, and flooding. These impacts aren’t just future worries; they are affecting communities right now, threatening homes, livelihoods, and health.
As government action lags, urgent changes are crucial to protect those most affected by climate change, especially those who haven’t contributed to the problem.
Why Climate Change is a Human Rights Issue
Climate change undermines people’s rights to live safely and with dignity. Beyond immediate dangers like floods and fires, it also leads to long-term health problems and food insecurity. With rising temperatures, it’s becoming harder for communities to grow food. Water shortages further complicate access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
For First Nations peoples, the crisis threatens their environment, culture, and ways of life that have existed for generations.
The Inequality Amplified by Climate Change
This crisis highlights existing injustices. Those who have contributed the least to global warming often suffer the most. For example:
- First Nations communities face severe impacts, with studies showing that water, food, and cultural systems are already damaged.
- People with disabilities are at greater risk during climate disasters. The UN highlights that they often struggle to access emergency aid, housing, and healthcare.
- Children are particularly vulnerable. Extreme weather can disrupt their education and threaten their health and safety.
Ignoring the voices of those affected can worsen the situation. Effective climate solutions must include the perspectives of Indigenous peoples and impacted communities.
Australian Climate Justice Initiatives
Recently, Australian communities have increasingly turned to the courts to ensure accountability and expose truths. In a significant case from 2021, two members of the Guda Maluyligal Nation argued that rising sea levels threaten their culture and identity. While the court did not recognize a duty of care, it marked a pivotal moment in how climate harm is viewed legally.
While litigation can be challenging, it helps shift public narratives and builds a foundation for future accountability. Activists like Seed Mob, which is led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, are advocating for justice in climate solutions. Initiatives like School Strike for Climate and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition are pushing for government action to address the climate crisis.
The National Justice Project’s Role in Climate Justice
Communities most affected by climate impacts need urgent attention. The National Justice Project is stepping into this space to tackle systemic injustices linked to climate change. They recently launched LawHack 2026, bringing together legal professionals to address real-world climate harms. This initiative aims to hold governments and corporations accountable while centering the voices of those directly impacted.
Looking forward, they plan to collaborate with the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research to focus on climate justice within legal education. This program aims to equip future lawyers with the skills needed to advocate for communities facing human rights violations due to climate change.
As the climate crisis accelerates, so must efforts for justice.
