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Climate Justice with Mary Robinson

In this conversation, I speak to Professor Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights & Chair of the Elders. We discuss the concept of climate justice,…

Dr. Vikas Shah MBE DL 8 min read

From the archive

Quotes

Each step I've taken was possible not solely through my own efforts but because of the profound support, trust, and camaraderie extended by many others. We've embarked on this journey together, and it's a path of continuous learning for me. I choose to focus on living my life with the intention of making meaningful contributions.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

What we urgently need is to cultivate a positive narrative, to energize and unite us in a collective movement. This isn't about asking everyone to do the same thing; rather, it's about fostering a 'movement of movements.' We encourage everyone to persist in their individual efforts, with the understanding that they are part of a larger, progressive force striving for a better world.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

Jade Begay, an indigenous woman with roots in a tribe in Mexico, shares a powerful sentiment from her culture: 'What if our best times are ahead of us?' This question challenges us to adopt a more hopeful and forward-thinking mindset, one that can inspire and motivate us towards positive action.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

We advocate for a 'feminist moonshot' approach, symbolized by the dandelion. The dandelion, a resilient flower and weed found on all continents, symbolizes our efforts. Despite its reputation as a nuisance, it's a plant I've grown to admire for its beauty, deep-rooting ability that rejuvenates the soil, and its edible qualities. Its seeds, spread by children, represent the spreading of our positive narrative towards a cleaner, healthier, more equitable world.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

It's baffling that $1.8 trillion is still being invested in harmful sectors. As a member of the B-Team of business leaders, we've identified that $1.8 trillion a year is spent subsidizing industries that harm us, predominantly fossil fuels. Redirecting a significant portion of these funds could dramatically accelerate our transition.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

The climate crisis disproportionately affects the poorest countries and communities, small islands, and indigenous peoples—who contribute least to the problem. This crisis also embodies racial injustice, as those most affected are often people of colour. Gender injustice is evident through the distinct social roles and limited opportunities for women, who perform a significant portion of agricultural work, especially in regions like Africa and India, yet face barriers in accessing credit and agricultural training.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

$1.8 trillion a year is spent subsidizing industries that harm us, predominantly fossil fuels. Redirecting a significant portion of these funds could dramatically accelerate our transition.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

We advocate for a 'feminist moonshot' approach, symbolized by the dandelion. Its seeds, spread by children, represent the spreading of our positive narrative towards a cleaner, healthier, more equitable world on the brink of a clean energy revolution.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

A significant hurdle is the underestimation of our collective power. The fossil fuel sector and its substantial influence through lobbying and misinformation, spending $4 billion annually to challenge scientific consensus.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

This crisis is expected to trigger migration from these vulnerable regions to the more resilient Northern countries, with projections suggesting 80 million to 200 million people could be displaced by 2050 if we fail to mitigate the impacts.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner

The climate crisis disproportionately affects the poorest countries and communities, small islands, and indigenous peoples—who contribute least to the problem. This crisis also embodies racial injustice, as those most affected are often people of colour.

— Mary Robinson

First Female President of Ireland & UN Human Rights Commissioner