Darren Walker: Climate change and inequality are inextricably linked
Ahead of this week's Global Climate Action Summit, 18 foundation leaders have stepped up in support of forests, rights, and lands for climate. In his essay on Trust.org, Darren Walker explains why this matters.
Published in TRUST.ORG | SEPTeMBER 11, 2018
The twin crises no one can avoid—or allow to continue
By DARREN WALKER
Too often we talk about climate change and inequality as though they were separate issues. When we talk about climate change, our conversations tend to focus on the earth’s systems—rising temperatures and sea levels and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—and the megastorms they produce, like hurricanes and even the wildfires still raging in California.
When we talk about inequality, our focus is typically on social and economic concerns like poverty, jobs, and the cost of living.
But whether we debate particles of carbon per million, or the widening gap between rich and poor and inequalities based on race, gender, physical ability, citizenship and migration status, these global crises are actually the same conversation. To make progress, we must see them as inextricably linked.
Press Line
Tel (+1) 212-573-5128
Fax (+1) 212-351-3643
[email protected]
The Ford Foundation is an independent organization working to address inequality and build a future grounded in justice. For more than 85 years, it has supported visionaries on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. Today, with an endowment of $16 billion, the foundation has headquarters in New York and 10 regional offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.