As climate change becomes increasingly visible and intense, it is clear that it does not affect everyone equally. Those who have contributed the least to the ecological crisis often bear its heaviest consequences. Historically marginalized groups—such as the poor, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and people of color—face the greatest risks, while their ability to adapt is often limited by systemic injustices.
In many cases, the most vulnerable communities are those living in informal settlements—places that often lack basic infrastructure such as stable housing, sewage systems, and access to clean water. More than a billion people worldwide live in such settlements, many of whom are already experiencing the effects of climate change, including droughts, floods, and heat waves.
Joycelin, one of the hosts of the SystemShift podcast launched by the non-governmental organization Greenpeace, emphasizes that climate shocks add to already existing systems of oppression, making them even more devastating for those who are already socially and economically disadvantaged.
„So, it is like a gigantic structure that in the end is not only limited to climate change affecting these communities, but all the problems impact the poor much more and consequently, the Black and Indigenous people, because the majority of them live in poverty”, said podcast guest Lali Riascos, a young environmental activist from Colombia.
The Global South, home to many of the world’s poorest countries, is already paying a huge price, while marginalized communities in these regions are fighting for survival.
In Brazil, residents of favelas not only produce the least pollution but are also the first to be affected by climate disasters. Their reality is harsh: floods that wash away improvised homes, droughts that threaten food sources, and pollution that further deteriorates public health. Yet, the financial resources needed for their protection are out of reach. According to research, 492 billion dollars is lost annually due to tax evasion, money that could be used to fund crucial adaptation projects.
„Why should communities in the Global South have to pay the price for a problem they did not create, while those who have profited from it remain the most protected? ” asks Carl Schlitter, one of the podcast hosts.
While politicians and large corporations delay concrete action, people on the ground are already taking measures. Marginalized communities are not waiting to be saved—they are already developing their own adaptation strategies, and their experiences and knowledge must be recognized and supported through official policies.
„In Brazil, the most vulnerable communities, like the favelas, pollute the least, yet they are the ones who pay the price—literally—with their lives. One practical example of what we do in our community is risk mapping. With the arrival of summer and heavy rains, we have formed groups that identify areas prone to flooding and landslides. This helps us create evacuation plans and mark safe routes, showing where to seek shelter in case of an emergency. Even though we have few resources, we carry out this task collectively”, says young Brazilian activist Matheus Fernandes.
Governments and international organizations have a responsibility to listen to and support local initiatives. As climate change becomes increasingly severe, including vulnerable communities in decision-making about climate adaptation is no longer just an option—it is a moral imperative. Because the climate crisis is not just an environmental problem—it is a matter of justice.
