Environmental Inequity

Inequitable solutions are not solutions.

Underserved populations bear the burdens of the environmental crises more than others.

In Canada, many of our most underserved communities live in rural areas where they may be more reliant on nature for their livelihoods. They’re also affected by activities like mining and logging, making them more vulnerable to biodiversity loss and climate change.

Truly equitable solutions to the environmental crisis will actually be more sustainable in the long-run. Indigenous worldviews take a long-term view of nature, the “7 generations” perspective. And a UBC study found that Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) have a 30% less decline in biodiversity than areas managed by non-Indigenous groups.

Here in Canada, we have a long way to go to battle environmental inequity. But at JGIC, there are reasons for hope.

Environmental Inequity: Reasons for Hope

Share this video with friends and family to remind them that hope for a better world is in their hands.

The Convergence of 3 Crises

Here’s how environmental inequity connects with climate change and biodiversity loss.

By no fault of their own, marginalized communities are often forced to make decisions that degrade the environment so they can feed and protect their families. For example, swaths of forests in the Chimpscapes of Africa have been cut down to provide fuel and heat to communities that have no other alternatives. And the bushmeat trade, which annihilates threatened animal populations, is sometimes the only avenue to put food on someone’s table or money in their pockets. When we address inequity among our fellow human beings, we are helping to preserve animals and the environment simultaneously.

Our community-centred approach addresses this convergence head-on. We prioritize equitable human health and wellness so that everyone can live more sustainable lives in harmony with nature.

How We’re Tackling Environmental Inequity

Canada Programs

Uncovering Common Ground

We’re bringing young people of all backgrounds together to learn from each other and implement inclusive solutions for animals, people, and the environment.

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Africa Programs

Building Community Resilience to Climate Change in Senegal

We’re supporting communities in Senegal, particularly women, to implement nature-based solutions to climate change.

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News & Updates

News and Updates

U of T Students Empower Educators: New Guides Address Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Environmental Equity

Attention young activists and educators of Toronto! Our beloved city faces significant threats, and we must rise to the challenge. Students from the University of Toronto have created resources to help! A dedicated team of student volunteers from the University of Toronto have created educator resources about three unprecedented crises that students face: biodiversity loss, […]

Good News Stories

My Journey of Reconciliation with the Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots A.P.E Fund Grant

The Roots & Shoots A.P.E. Fund grant enabled me to provide tools to non-Indigenous youth, helping them better understand and take action towards reconciliation. The experience encouraged both my peers and me to contemplate the significance of environmental stewardship, inequity, and biodiversity loss through Indigenous perspectives and wisdom. My aim was to raise awareness of […]

News and Updates

The Roots & Shoots Climate Leaders Days of Action program, supported by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) is a beacon of hope.

In a world facing the pressing challenges of climate change, it’s essential to empower and inspire the next generation to take meaningful action. The Roots & Shoots Climate Leaders Days of Action program, supported by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) is a beacon of hope, offering young people the knowledge, tools, and support to make […]