Environmental Justice Conference raises questions of Estonia’s role in the climate crisis

The first international environmental justice conference in the Baltics organised by Mondo and Environmental Law Center will take place this Thursday. The event offers an opportunity to discuss what role Estonia, now among the wealthier countries, takes globally to support people in lower-income countries who are already suffering from environmental and climate crises. Related events will stretch from Narva to the capital.

“Although it might not feel like it on a daily basis, the standard of living in Estonia is generally quite good. On our journey to achieving this level of prosperity, we have been supported by several wealthier countries. We have also built our well-being at the expense of the environment, while the environmental damage often occurs far from us. At the Environmental Justice Conference, we will hear voices from these places. We’ll be able to ask questions and discuss how Estonia can support these people,” said Egle Küngas, the conference organiser and head of Mondo’s environmental program.

Among other renowned experts and activists, Professor Joyeeta Gupta will take the stage. She is a lead author of the international IPCC climate report. Also speaking is Elizabeth Wathuti, who was included in the TIME100 list of most influential people in 2022 and awarded the title of Africa Green Person of the Year in 2019. The conference will address global responsibility in tackling the consequences of climate change, provide examples from Global South countries, and explore the environmental impact of the war in Ukraine, as well as Estonia’s potential contributions to solutions.

“The Environmental Justice Conference is a welcome platform to address the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. The consequences of mining, deforestation, and climate change—as well as other environmental impacts—are increasingly being felt in Estonia, disproportionately affecting already vulnerable populations. In a situation where people are facing both environmental problems and security threats, this conference highlights the importance of international cooperation and provides insights into how to defend one’s rights and well-being in the face of ecological changes,” said Kertu Birgit Anton, junior legal expert at the Estonian Environmental Law Center and co-organiser of the conference.

Environmental justice topics were also raised on Tuesday in Narva, where a street art piece dedicated to the theme was unveiled, along with a youth event. The mural is dedicated to the work of Elizabeth Wathuti and was created by Ukrainian artist Viktoria Berezina, who incorporated the motif of the Tree of Life from Ukraine into the work of the Kenyan activist. The mural is open to the public at Madise 13b, near the Swedish Lion.

The international conference “Shared Earth, Shared Responsibility” is free to attend and will take place on April 10 in Tallinn. The event is organised by Mondo and the Estonian Environmental Law Center with support from the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).

The environmental justice-themed mural in Narva by Ukrainian artist Viktoria Berezina is inspired by the work of Kenyan environmental activist Elizabeth Wathuti. Photo: Dmitri Fedotkin