As humans, it’s something that remains integral to how we communicate, understand and connect with others and the world around us. Its power and importance in shaping our world can’t be overstated. Unfortunately, the stories we often hear today perpetuate inequality and marginalisation — reflecting and reinforcing dominant cultural narratives. However, we have an opportunity to change that; it is through the act of storytelling that we can also envision and work towards a more just and equitable world. One that shares the voices of the marginalised and unheard. Who tells stories and how they are told, therefore matters, and that’s something I’m passionate about.

I’ve long been passionate about helping those affected by forced migration who often have to flee their homes due to war or famine. However, I quickly realised that too often, the heart of this displacement was climate change — a crisis getting little media attention, yet bubbling under the surface and playing an ever-increasing role in feeding the refugee crisis. As sea levels continue to rise, severe droughts become more prolific, and extreme weather events devastate harvests and increase tensions between nations and states, the consequences are set to affect us all, however disproportionately skewing towards those most vulnerable and least equipped to cope.

As storytellers, we have failed

I believe climate change is the story we have failed to tell. While storytelling isn’t a fix in and of itself, it is a means by which to share the realities of those on the frontlines of action — elevating the voices of those who have for too long been marginalised and silenced. And that starts by looking at the natural world around us and our influence on it.

I often feel like we forget that we are nature — there’s no distinction between it and us. Somehow in our thirst for unending growth (which is impossible, by the way) and advancement, we have forgotten this fundamental yet simple truth, and have adopted the belief that we are separate and superior. Look around where you live, and chances are you’re surrounded by a concrete jungle of buildings and infrastructure that is suffocating the natural world. What’s more, our current societal constructs offer unequal access to all, resulting in “environmental racism” where BIPOC communities disproportionately bear the consequences of the biggest crisis we are set to face as a species.

To move forward, it is crucial that we learn from the wisdom of indigenous cultures who have lived in balance with the natural world for generations. To truly tackle the climate crisis, we must shift our understanding of the value of nature and recognise that it cannot be measured by “commercial value” alone. We must embrace a more holistic approach that shifts away from hyper-growth and incorporates the voices of the marginalised to reframe the climate crisis as a social justice issue, highlighting its intersection with issues of social justice, racial justice and human rights.

The intersection between climate and social justice

I often hear people say they feel so far removed from the affects of the climate crisis that they struggle to relate to it — something I’d personally challenge given the current extreme weather, crippling energy prices, and cost of living crisis we’re facing in the Global North. Yet the reality is that the climate crisis is is a byproduct of the broken system we live in. It’s not just a problem of the environment, but of social justice. The current system is failing everyone, but it is hitting certain communities the hardest. In order to effectively address the climate challenge therefore, we must understand it as an intersectional issue.

Activism is seen as a bit of a dirty word right now, but irrespective of whether you agree with gluing your hands to walls or climbing up motorway signage, at its heart is the notion that we should be doing things rather than just talking about them. And our activism must be inclusive, recognising that different issues are interconnected and have an impact on one another.

If you are an advocate for refugee rights, you should know that climate change will cause the largest mass migration in history, and by 2050, we could have over 1 billion refugees. If you are a feminist, it is important to know that women are disproportionately affected by climate change: 80% of those displaced by the climate crisis are women, and the risk of gender-based violence increasing in the wake of natural disasters. The climate crisis also has a direct correlation with an increase in conflicts, with a 10-20% increase in conflict with every degree of warming. If racial justice is important to you, it’s crucial to know that black, brown, and indigenous people, particularly in the Global South, are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis, with Black Americans exposed to 56% more pollution than they cause.

The climate crisis has traditionally been overlooked and considered separate from a social justice issue, making it challenging for us (particularly in the Global North) to grasp its relevance to our personal lives. However, in addressing the two issues as one, we present ourselves with a unique opportunity to improve the lives of all people around the world — to reform a system that prioritises the interest of a select few and instead construct a society that is more just, sustainable and equitable.