Climate Change, Extractivism and Colonialism

A handbook for facilitators and learners

As the world recognises the intense challenges and destruction caused by climate change, there is increasing awareness in the Global North and in communities with privileged access to resources, that communities from the Global South and Black, Indigenous and communities of colour are most affected by climate change impacts.

There is also a recognition that those same communities are often on the front line of living with the impacts of extractive projects that threaten the environment and exacerbate the impact of climate change, particularly mining, fossil fuel extraction, mass hydroelectric infrastructure and industrial agriculture.

What sometimes gets left out of the narratives about different impacts of climate change drivers and climate change itself, is why Black, Indigenous and communities of colour are more affected.

It can be attributed to structural or systemic racism, but again, why does this exist?

This handbook aims to provide a framework for a process of co-(un)learning into these themes and questions by exploring colonisation, colonialism and racialisation, and linking them to climate and environmental justice.

It’s designed as a set of resources for facilitators, or for climate or environmental activist groups who wish to co-design a (un)learning experience together. It’s intended for people who already have some knowledge about climate change and climate justice, and experiences of climate and environmental activism and organising.

We hope it will be especially helpful for people and groups who wish to delve deeper into some of the root causes of climate change and climate and environmental injustice in order to use this awareness to underpin meaningful solidarity with groups who are most affected by climate change drivers and impacts because of systemic oppressions.