Why Equity Matters in Climate Resilience: A Systems Perspective
As a middle-class, educated white woman in the U.S., I recognize the privilege I hold—the ability to live in a safe neighborhood, access clean water, and prepare for climate-related disasters. I am in the top 5-10% of the world in terms of climate resilience (World Data Lab, 2023; UNESCO, 2022; WHO, 2023; IPCC, 2022). Yet, despite these advantages, I still feel vulnerable and have been impacted by major climate events. If someone with my security can feel this way, how must those who are truly vulnerable feel? Even with all that I know, I still ask: why does equity matter? And how can we persuade those with relative security that equity is essential? While I understand the interconnectedness of inequity and its impacts and am guided by a strong moral compass, I wonder: what if I didn’t care? This question led me to examine climate resilience and equity through a systems lens—because whether we acknowledge it or not, we are all affected.
Equity isn’t an afterthought in building climate resilience; it’s foundational to creating a sustainable and just future.
Climate Resilience Through a Systems Lens
Systems thinking teaches us that everything is interconnected. In climate resilience, this means that environmental, economic, and social systems influence each other in ways that are often unseen.
Climate events threaten lives, destabilize governments, and increase political and social tensions.
Governments struggling to manage the overwhelming effects of climate change—such as displacement, economic collapse, and infrastructure damage—may be unable to meet the needs of their citizens, weakening capacity and eroding social trust (Center for Climate and Security, 2019). This increases the potential for violence, migration, and social unrest, with marginalized communities bearing the brunt of these challenges. The disproportionate impact of climate change undermines social stability and crosses borders, making it an urgent issue that demands global attention and action (UNEP, 2021; UNU-EHS, 2020).
The Cascading Impact of Inequity in Climate Resilience
Climate change does not impact everyone equally. Existing systems determine who suffers the most and who recovers the fastest. Communities already marginalized by historical policies and economic disadvantages often experience the worst effects of climate disasters, air and water pollution, and limited access to climate adaptation resources. By examining real-world examples, we can better understand the systemic nature of these disparities and the urgent need for equitable climate resilience strategies.
Disaster Preparedness & Response
Not all communities have the same ability to prepare for climate disasters. Research from the Urban Institute (2021) found that lower-income communities are more likely to live in flood-prone or disaster-prone areas, often due to historical policies like redlining. When disasters strike, these communities may lack the financial resources to evacuate or rebuild, making them even more vulnerable to future events.
A stark example of this was seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in 2021. In New York City, while wealthier residents were able to relocate or had insurance coverage for damages, low-income neighborhoods—especially in basement apartments—suffered devastating losses, including multiple fatalities. Many of these units were unregulated, housing predominantly immigrant families who had no choice but to live in these flood-prone areas due to high rental costs elsewhere. Even when aid was available, systemic barriers—such as complicated application processes, limited access to technology, and language barriers—prevented the most affected residents from receiving timely assistance.
Access to Clean Air, Water, & Green Spaces
Environmental inequities exist in everyday life. Studies from the American Lung Association (2023) show that communities of color are more likely to breathe polluted air due to their proximity to highways and industrial areas. Similarly, access to green spaces—which help mitigate urban heat and improve mental health—is often limited in lower-income neighborhoods. As climate change worsens, these disparities deepen, leading to higher rates of heat-related illnesses, respiratory conditions, and long-term health disparities.
One of the most well-documented examples of environmental injustice is the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. When cost-cutting measures led to contaminated drinking water in 2014, residents—primarily Black and low-income—were exposed to lead poisoning and other health risks for years. While wealthier areas could afford bottled water and filtration systems, many Flint residents had no choice but to drink, cook, and bathe in toxic water. Similarly, in Jackson, Mississippi, a predominantly Black city, systemic neglect of infrastructure has led to repeated water crises, leaving thousands without access to clean drinking water for weeks at a time.
Economic Mobility & Climate Events
Climate resilience is also about financial security. The National Bureau of Economic Research (2020) found that climate disasters disproportionately push lower-income families deeper into poverty, while wealthier families often see little to no long-term financial impact. This creates a vicious cycle where those with fewer resources face greater climate risks and have fewer opportunities to recover or adapt.
For example, after Hurricane Harvey in 2017, wealthier neighborhoods in Houston saw quicker rebuilding efforts, while lower-income communities—like those in the predominantly Black and Latino areas of Northeast Houston—faced prolonged displacement and economic hardship. Many lower-income residents lacked flood insurance, making it nearly impossible to rebuild their homes without falling into crushing debt. Meanwhile, wealthier families had the means to relocate, rebuild, or even profit from rising property values in less flood-prone areas. The inability to recover financially also limits future mobility, as individuals with lower wealth have fewer options to relocate away from high-risk areas or invest in climate-resistant housing.
Climate Policy
Policy decisions about climate adaptation and mitigation are often made by those with political and financial influence. Yet, the communities most affected by climate change are often left out of these conversations. Ensuring equity in climate resilience means giving these communities a seat at the table—whether through participatory planning, community-driven solutions, or equitable funding for adaptation projects (NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program, 2023).
A powerful example of grassroots climate advocacy can be seen in Louisiana’s Gulf Coast, where Indigenous communities have been fighting for recognition in climate relocation efforts. The Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, a tribal community facing severe land loss due to rising sea levels, was awarded federal funding for climate relocation in 2016. However, due to a lack of tribal sovereignty in decision-making, many community members felt excluded from the planning process, leading to further displacement rather than a just transition. Representation in decision-making is crucial because policies designed without community input often fail to address the realities of those on the front lines of climate change.
Why This Matters to All of Us
As a mother, I think about the kind of world my child will inherit. Will it be one where the wealthiest can shield themselves from climate disasters while others are left behind? Or will it be a world where we recognize that resilience is only as strong as the most vulnerable among us?
From a systems perspective, we know that neglecting equity creates instability.
If certain communities are constantly struggling to recover from climate disasters, it strains social services, emergency response systems, and even national security.
We saw this with the COVID-19 pandemic—when disparities in healthcare access led to disproportionate suffering, the entire economy suffered (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). Climate resilience is no different.
How We Can Embed Equity into Climate Resilience
Embedding equity begins by changing our perspectives. We can’t see or understand how each individual is impacted by the systems in our world. Therefore, it is up to us to use whatever tools we have available - our voices, our funds, our influence - to support and advocate for diversity across all initiatives. Here are a few considerations to turn the dial:
Prioritize Community-Led Solutions
Organizations like the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program emphasize the need for solutions driven by those most affected. This means funding community-based adaptation projects, supporting Indigenous land management practices, and ensuring local knowledge is valued in decision-making (NAACP, 2023).Rethink Climate Investments
Federal and state climate funding often favors large infrastructure projects, but small-scale, community-based resilience initiatives can have a greater impact. A study from the World Resources Institute (2022) found that nature-based solutions—such as urban tree planting and wetland restoration—provide economic, environmental, and social benefits that far outweigh their cost.Integrate Social and Environmental Policies
Climate policies should not be developed in isolation from housing, healthcare, and economic policies. For example, ensuring affordable housing is available in climate-safe areas prevents displacement and long-term economic hardship. Similarly, policies that transition industries away from fossil fuels must also provide job retraining and economic support for affected workers (World Resources Institute, 2022).
Conclusion: Equity and Systems Thinking in Climate Action
Climate resilience is not just about environmental solutions—it’s about addressing the systemic inequalities that make certain communities more vulnerable than others. Inequities don’t arise in isolation; they are the result of historical policies, economic structures, and social systems that shape where people live, work, and how they experience climate impacts.
A systems approach helps us see these interconnected challenges and develop holistic solutions that span across sectors.
Climate change is deeply linked to housing, transportation, healthcare, and economic stability—ignoring equity in any of these areas weakens our collective ability to adapt.
If we truly want to build a sustainable and resilient future, we must tackle climate and equity together, ensuring that solutions uplift all communities rather than perpetuate existing disparities.
For climate professionals, understanding these systemic links is essential. Whether designing policies, implementing community projects, or advocating for change, centering equity in climate work makes solutions more effective, just, and sustainable. By embedding systems thinking into our approach, we can create a world where resilience is not a privilege but a shared reality for all.
In what ways are you taking a systems approach to climate resilience?
How are you embedding equity in your work?
References:
World Data Lab. (2023). Global income distribution and middle class estimates. Retrieved from https://worlddata.io
UNESCO. (2022). Global education monitoring report: Tertiary education attainment worldwide. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2022). Sixth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2022—Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Retrieved from https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Global access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Health disparities and COVID-19: The economic and social impact. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/health-disparities/covid19.htm
NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. (2023). Community-led climate adaptation and resilience. Retrieved from https://naacp.org/issues/environmental-justice
National Bureau of Economic Research. (2020). Climate disasters and economic mobility in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.nber.org/papers/w27781
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2023). Hurricane Ian: Climate disparities in recovery. Retrieved from https://www.noaa.gov
Urban Institute. (2021). Climate risks and equity: Understanding vulnerability in marginalized communities. Retrieved from https://www.urban.org
American Lung Association. (2023). State of the air: How environmental inequality affects health outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org
World Resources Institute. (2022). The economic benefits of nature-based climate solutions. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org
