1. We pursue climate justice.
Ohio Youth for Climate Justice (OHYCJ) is a movement that not only stands for climate action but calls for a shift towards environmental justice. We recognize that the issues we face have deeper, historical roots and that in order to achieve sustainable and concrete climate action, all measures must be rooted in justice for oppressed communities.
2. We acknowledge that long standing systems of oppression have created the climate crisis and must be dismantled in order to end it.
The liberation of marginalized communities is central to pursuing climate justice and our organizational mission. We cannot create a truly just society without providing self-determination for all people through the de-commodification of land (or “land back,” as it is better known), abolishing violent institutions such as prisons and police departments which reinforce long standing systems of oppression, and dismantling the global capitalist society which is designed to keep wealth from workers and impoverished nations to provide gross excess to a privileged few. Furthermore, this capitalist system has effectively allowed the fossil fuel industry to sponsor mass disinformation about the climate crisis in order to protect and maximize profits over people. The theft of land from indigenous groups, western ideals of profit above all, and global capitalism are the root causes of the climate injustice we fight against. Therefore it is imperative that the systems of colonialism, racism, and capitalism be abolished in order for us to achieve our goals.
3. We believe that radical action must be taken to achieve our goals.
OHYCJ incorporates a number of different strategies in our efforts to pursue climate justice. Among these are direct and disruptive action, community building efforts, and educational initiatives. We utilize these techniques because we strive for a society of radical care and empathy which can only be achieved through drastic action and education.
4. We must create strong communities centered in radical love and mutual empathy.
We strive for a world where each person feels supported by those around them. Therefore, Ohio Youth for Climate Justice works to strengthen community relationships and cultivate the environment that we strive to implement on a broader scale. We recognize that comfort, joy, and security are revolutionary in a capitalist society that aims to pit us against one another. It is for this reason that a great deal of our work focuses on uplifting organizers and community members through mutual aid, restorative and transformative justice, and radical care for one another.
5. We work in solidarity with those who share our values.
We acknowledge that we alone cannot bring about the change we desire. Therefore, we will work with other organizations and individuals to build a truly united movement made up of people of all ages, races, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.
6. We believe that nature has inherent value which western civilization has historically ignored.
Climate justice includes healing our society as well as our planet. OHYCJ recognizes the inherent value of the earth and the living beings that inhabit it. It is imperative that we continuously negate western ideals of human superiority over nature and work towards transforming notions of land ownership to land stewardship.
7. We demand the societal shift that is required to achieve true climate justice.
We demand the abolition of colonialism, racism, and global capitalism and call for a just transition towards worker and community owned means of production that will better serve traditionally marginalized communities and bring liberation to all.
Ohio Youth for Climate Justice (OHYCJ) is a movement that not only stands for climate action but calls for a shift towards environmental justice. We recognize that the issues we face have deeper, historical roots and that in order to achieve sustainable and concrete climate action, all measures must be rooted in justice for oppressed communities.
2. We acknowledge that long standing systems of oppression have created the climate crisis and must be dismantled in order to end it.
The liberation of marginalized communities is central to pursuing climate justice and our organizational mission. We cannot create a truly just society without providing self-determination for all people through the de-commodification of land (or “land back,” as it is better known), abolishing violent institutions such as prisons and police departments which reinforce long standing systems of oppression, and dismantling the global capitalist society which is designed to keep wealth from workers and impoverished nations to provide gross excess to a privileged few. Furthermore, this capitalist system has effectively allowed the fossil fuel industry to sponsor mass disinformation about the climate crisis in order to protect and maximize profits over people. The theft of land from indigenous groups, western ideals of profit above all, and global capitalism are the root causes of the climate injustice we fight against. Therefore it is imperative that the systems of colonialism, racism, and capitalism be abolished in order for us to achieve our goals.
3. We believe that radical action must be taken to achieve our goals.
OHYCJ incorporates a number of different strategies in our efforts to pursue climate justice. Among these are direct and disruptive action, community building efforts, and educational initiatives. We utilize these techniques because we strive for a society of radical care and empathy which can only be achieved through drastic action and education.
4. We must create strong communities centered in radical love and mutual empathy.
We strive for a world where each person feels supported by those around them. Therefore, Ohio Youth for Climate Justice works to strengthen community relationships and cultivate the environment that we strive to implement on a broader scale. We recognize that comfort, joy, and security are revolutionary in a capitalist society that aims to pit us against one another. It is for this reason that a great deal of our work focuses on uplifting organizers and community members through mutual aid, restorative and transformative justice, and radical care for one another.
5. We work in solidarity with those who share our values.
We acknowledge that we alone cannot bring about the change we desire. Therefore, we will work with other organizations and individuals to build a truly united movement made up of people of all ages, races, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities.
6. We believe that nature has inherent value which western civilization has historically ignored.
Climate justice includes healing our society as well as our planet. OHYCJ recognizes the inherent value of the earth and the living beings that inhabit it. It is imperative that we continuously negate western ideals of human superiority over nature and work towards transforming notions of land ownership to land stewardship.
7. We demand the societal shift that is required to achieve true climate justice.
We demand the abolition of colonialism, racism, and global capitalism and call for a just transition towards worker and community owned means of production that will better serve traditionally marginalized communities and bring liberation to all.