Climate and Environmental Justice

Seek to understand the relationship between human impacts on the Earth and its climate and social inequalities among human communities in order to identify just solutions to the climate crisis.

Recognizing that ecological degradation and disconnection from the land is a longstanding geo-historical phenomenon that is further worsened by the climate crisis, programs focus on environmental justice and unpacking the various dimensions of climate justice from local to global contexts.

In Climate and Environmental Justice courses and programs, you will gain a deep understanding of both the systemic inequalities and root causes of environmental and climate inequalities and explore the possibilities of more just futures from the point of view of ecological sustainability and community resilience.

You will develop a solid foundation in one or more of the following areas of study:

  • Indigenous resilience
  • International inequality
  • Neoliberal capitalism
  • Green colonialism
  • Critical race and gender studies
  • Environmental humanities
  • Eco media

Join us to learn how different forms of inequality and oppression intersect with the causes and consequences of a changing climate.

Faculty Associated With This Field
Title Expertise
Beck, Stephen Philosophy
Eloheimo, Marja Ethnobotany, Indigenous Studies, Climate Justice
Grossman, Zoltan Geography, Native American studies
Joshi, Shangrila Climate justice, climate policy and politics, political ecology, environment and development
Lal, Prita Food justice, social movements, race/gender/class inequality, Black studies
LeRoy, Carri freshwater ecology, quantitative biology, environmental education
Levenda, Anthony
McMillin, Paul historical sociology, information studies
Salazar, Hailey (Hailey Maria)
Simons, Suzanne poetry and literary arts, community studies/Middle East studies, journalism
Smith, Tyrus Environmental studies, public policy
Withey, John Ecology, conservation biology, wildlife biology
Selected Programs 2022-23
Title Class Standing Credits
Astronomy and Cosmology: Stars and Stories
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4, 8, 12
Branching Out: An Ethnobotanical Garden in Community
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8, 12
Building Businesses for Responsible Futures
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4, 8, 12
Cascadia: The Environment and History of the Pacific Northwest
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Climate Farming Solutions: Regenerative Agriculture Research, Practices, and Entrepreneurship
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Climate Justice
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Climate Policy and Action: Internship
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Climate Policy and Action: Policy Analysis and Advocacy
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Climate Policy and Action: Science and Policy Basics
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Creating Medicine and Color with Plants
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4, 8
Selected Programs 2023-24
Title Class Standing Credits
Branching Out: An Ethnobotanical Garden in Community
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8, 12
Business for Responsible Futures: Strategic Branding
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4, 8, 12
Business to Transform Society: Product Design and Marketing
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4, 8, 12
Climate Policy and Action: Internship
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Climate Policy and Action: Policy Analysis and Advocacy
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Climate Policy and Action: Science and Policy Basics
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
8
Environmental Justice: Analysis
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
4
Introduction to Environmental Studies: Waste
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Land-Based Learning: Foodways
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
16
Liberal Arts Track: Seeking Common Ground: From Local to Global, Lyceum (day)
  • Freshman
  • Sophomore
  • Junior
  • Senior
6