Why Climate Policy Must Address Historic Climate Vulnerability for a Fairer Future
Climate policy is often designed around future risks, emissions targets, and projected environmental changes. Yet one important factor can easily receive less attention: Historic Climate Vulnerability. Communities do not enter the climate crisis from the same starting point. Some have benefited from decades of infrastructure investment, economic development, and access to resources, while others have repeatedly faced floods, droughts, heatwaves, pollution, and limited public investment. Understanding these differences is essential for creating climate policies that are not only ambitious but also practical, inclusive, and effective.