My journey into Feminism and Climate Justice through a Community Work lens
Published: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Olitha is currently a volunteer Donegal Intercultural Platform and undertook the NUI Level 7 Community Work in a Changing Ireland – Feminist Climate Justice with the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University. The Certificate Programme is a key element of the Feminist Communities for Climate Justice joint project between the National Women’s Council and Community Work Ireland. Olitha wrote this reflection on her experience of the Certificate Programme which featured originally in Donegal Intercultural Platform’s Autumn 2024 Newsletter.
The Community Work in a Changing Ireland and Climate Justice course has been an eye-opening experience, bridging the gap between grassroots community work and the global challenge of climate change. This course equipped me with both the theoretical understanding and practical tools to approach climate justice from a community-centred perspective.
One of the central themes explored was the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities. While climate change affects everyone, vulnerable groups, including low-income neighbourhoods, Indigenous populations, and marginalised communities, often bear the brunt of its effects. The course highlighted how systemic inequalities, like poor housing infrastructure and limited access to resources, intensifies the damage caused by extreme weather events, droughts, and rising sea levels.
I also learned that solutions must be as diverse as the communities affected. From participatory action research to grassroots organizing, the course emphasized the importance of local voices in shaping climate policies. This aligns with the core idea of climate justice - ensuring that those most affected by climate change are central to the conversation about solutions.
Ultimately, this course reinforced that climate justice is not just an environmental issue; it is deeply intertwined with social justice. As a participant, I walked away with a deeper commitment to fostering resilience in my community and advocating for policies that prioritize both environmental sustainability and equity. I am now more equipped to take action in my own community, with an understanding that local efforts can ripple into global change.
