Towards a Regionalist Theory of Climate Injustice: Intersectional Environmentalism from Regions and Beyond

• In Event: Aesthetics, Storytelling, and Reason, and Justice in Contemporary Political Thought

Abstract

In an era increasingly defined by the advance of climate change, the pursuit of justice demands an exploration of frameworks capable of confronting the injustices borne disproportionately by the world’s most vulnerable communities. This inquiry lies at the heart of the burgeoning field of Climate Justice. While various paradigms—from the role of the state to considerations of generational and communal responsibility—have been proposed, none have fully captured the multifaceted nature of this global challenge. In response, this paper advocates for a shift towards embracing the Region as the primary unit of analysis. Defined not merely in geographical terms but as a dynamic space where local identities intertwine with environmental realities, the Region offers a lens through which to comprehend the lived experiences of climate injustice.
This conceptualization transcends traditional approaches by acknowledging the intricate interplay between human societies and their natural surroundings. It recognizes the mutable boundaries of Regions, shaped by both internal dynamics and external pressures. Central to this argument is the recognition of the State’s complicity in perpetuating environmental degradation and social inequities, alongside the limitations of intergenerational and communal ethics in confronting the scale of the crisis. The paper thus poses the Region in opposition to these units, developing the regional framework as a unique response. Through reimagining the Region as a locus of intersecting forces—environmental, historical, cultural, economic, and political—this paper contends that it unveils a profound, nuanced understanding of the ethical imperatives emerging from the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change.

Author

• Lior Hamovitz, Boston University