Frontlines
Yessenia Funes
Climate Director, Atmos
The frontlines typically refer to a war zone—those who jump first toward conflict. In the era of climate change, the meaning of frontlines has evolved.
We're still talking about a war zone, but it's a war zone people can't escape from. It's a war zone they're thrown into despite their wishes. This word refers to those who live next door to polluters such as oil and gas refineries. It refers to the countless communities across the globe already experiencing extreme weather supercharged by a hotter planet. The word seeks to amplify the experiences of the people who did little to create the climate crisis because they don't consume enough energy or resources to emit a significant amount of greenhouse gasses.
These are the people who sit on the frontlines as they begin to feel the impacts of climate change first and worst despite being nothing but innocent bystanders in its creation. The frontlines are where action builds. They are where the community lies. The frontlines are where the people are the strongest.
We're still talking about a war zone, but it's a war zone people can't escape from. It's a war zone they're thrown into despite their wishes. This word refers to those who live next door to polluters such as oil and gas refineries. It refers to the countless communities across the globe already experiencing extreme weather supercharged by a hotter planet. The word seeks to amplify the experiences of the people who did little to create the climate crisis because they don't consume enough energy or resources to emit a significant amount of greenhouse gasses.
These are the people who sit on the frontlines as they begin to feel the impacts of climate change first and worst despite being nothing but innocent bystanders in its creation. The frontlines are where action builds. They are where the community lies. The frontlines are where the people are the strongest.
(1) The Frontline newsletter by Atmos
(2) Blood River: A Podcast by Bloomberg
(3) The New York Times: Read Up on the Links Between Racism and the Environment
(2) Blood River: A Podcast by Bloomberg
(3) The New York Times: Read Up on the Links Between Racism and the Environment
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287 Park Avenue South, Suite 700
New York, NY 10010
United States
hello@climatewords.org
+1 (332) 900-7880
Climate Words is fiscally sponsored by Ecologistics, Inc. (EIN 27-2116150), a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
© 2023, Climate Words, Inc. All rights reserved.
