A Roadmap for Climate Justice: Science as a Catalyst for a More Just World

The Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woodwell Climate) received a $57,500 Leadership Grant for Switzer Fellow Dr. Nigel Golden’s newly created role as Climate Justice Specialist. The role focuses on integrating climate justice principles into the organization's work, including policy advocacy, partnerships, and staff education. Nigel’s work aims to make Woodwell Climate more inclusive and aligned with climate justice principles, while serving as a model for other institutions. His role as Climate Justice Specialist will complement his ongoing role as a research scientist with the organization.

The origins of anthropogenic climate change, policy decisions related to climate adaptation, and the scientific research guiding these decisions are deeply rooted in unequal colonial and political-economic relationships. This creates a dilemma when pursuing ambitious climate action, given the unequal impact of both climate change itself and the policies aimed at addressing it. Climate justice, an interdisciplinary field of study encompassing social justice and environmental movements, seeks to unveil how climate change disproportionately affects different populations and to rectify resulting injustices.

Woodwell Climate has partnerships worldwide with a diversity of stakeholders, from the Arctic to the Tropics, to produce research that can inform decision making on the effects of climate change. If it is to achieve its desired goals in preserving and sustaining the Earth’s climate, it will need to broaden its perspectives beyond the confines of traditional climate research. Woodwell Climate is grappling with the question: is its science a catalyst for a more just world?

In his role as Climate Just Specialist, Nigel will lead the integration of climate justice principles across the organization's functions, ensuring that policies, research, and advocacy align with fairness and equity. The goals of Nigel’s effort include:

• Reviewing current practices and policies to assess how they align with principles of climate justice.
• Prioritizing the participation of underrepresented communities in all aspects of Woodwell Climate’s work.
• Developing partnerships with organizations and communities working on climate justice issues to support mutual learning, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.
• Advocating for policies through Woodwell Climate’s Government Relations program that promote climate justice at the local, state, national, and international levels.
• Fostering a culture of climate justice within the organization by working with consultants and experts to provide training and resources to staff and promoting accountability for implementing climate justice principles in all aspects of their work.

This role represents a critical juncture in Nigel’s professional journey. “I am being trusted with shaping the direction of our work, pursuing personally meaningful interests, guiding collaborators, and contributing to the advancement of the institution,” Nigel said. 

Above and beyond my contributions to Woodwell Climate, my overarching vision extends to a broader dedication—a commitment to advancing justice within the field of climate research for the years that lie ahead.

Nigel Golden