Most Affected People and Areas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Most Affected People and Areas, also known by its acronym MAPA,[1] is a term[2] that represents groups and territories disproportionately affected by climate change, such as women, indigenous communities, racial minorities, LGBTQIA+ people, young, older and poorer people and the Global South.[3] The term and concept is interconnected with intersectionality.[4] Countries in Africa and Asia, including India, Sub-Saharan Africa, and coastal communities of Asia, identify as MAPA territories, in part due to the lasting impacts of colonialism.[5][6] In particular, with the rise of grassroots movements that had the goal of climate justice - such as Fridays for Future, Ende Gelände or Extinction Rebellion - the connection of these groups in the context of climate justice became more important.[7] The acronym MAPA is preferred by climate activists compared to terms like the Global South, as it better acknowledges the issue of climate justice.
MAPA consists not only of states, but individual communities as well. Countries that are most affected by climate change include South Africa, Indonesia, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand.[8] As climate change evolves, so does the number of communities that make up MAPA. The countries listed are not a defined total. Communities that are most affected by climate change include Native Americans, ethnic groups within Africa, and the LGBTQIA+.[9] These communities are often viewed as expendable by their nation's governments and, therefore, are exploited by their governments. These communities often live in areas that contain environmental harms, including air pollution, water pollution, and limited farmland for food supply. These communities often cannot relocate to safer land due to issues such as socio-economic and laws formed by the government.[10]
To view a visual map of MAPA communities click this link. Countries with lighter colors rank lower on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which equates to a lower potential for climate resiliency compared to countries with darker colors. These countries are considered MAPA.
Colonialism's Effects on the Most Affected People and Areas
In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) mentioned colonialism for the first time in its Climate Change report. Leading IPCC climate scientists acknowledged that colonialism is both a historic and ongoing driver of the climate crisis.[10] Colonialism is the act of conquering a foreign state and maintaining control through the exploitation of the nation's citizens and resources.[11] Colonialism is often referred to in a historical context; however, colonialism of communities today is still ongoing.
According to Climate Justice Activists from Friday for Future, who are widely regarded as the group who popularized MAPA, “The countries that benefit the most from industrialization are also the ones that initiated and fueled the climate crisis.”[12] The most successful countries today, including nations in North America and West Europe, are often also those that participated in colonialism and continue to do so today.[13] Since the 18th century, the United States has colonized Native American land, exploiting both Indigenous individuals and their resources.[14] Due to this exploitation, indigenous communities have become a part of MAPA.
The current habitation of MAPA communities can be attributed to colonialism. With control over the people, colonists often pushed European cultures onto the locals, forcing them to either adapt or remove them from their land. In the 19th century, Indigenous communities in the United States were continually pushed westward to the Mid-West, as the land they owned contained valuable natural resources. For example, Citizen Potawatomi philosopher Kyle Powys Whyte has shown that in the United States, colonialism is still ongoing, with the limited Indigenous land being targeted for oil pipelines and uranium mining.[15]
Organizations That Recognize MAPA
MAPA is recognized by organizations such as Fridays for Future, the United Nations Environmental Programme, the World Economic Forum, the IPCC, and several grassroots organizations. Acknowledging MAPA communities is a primary step that organizations can take to address environmental injustices. A key component of MAPA is intersectionality, which describes the ways that identities based on race, gender, class, etc. intersect with one another. Intersectionality needs to be brought to the forefront of climate action to aid MAPA communities.[3]
Fridays for Future is accredited for popularizing the term MAPA. Fridays for Future is a youth-led movement that began in 2018 by several young climate activists, including Greta Thunberg.[3] With over 14 million members, the organization's goal is to overcome the climate crisis and create a society that lives in harmony with its fellow beings.[16]
Several Fridays for Future activists have begun to advocate for MAPA communities at several climate conferences, including Climate Week in New York City. MAPA activist Mitzi Jonelle Tan stresses that MAPA voices are unheard, not voiceless.[17] Fridays for Future amplifies the voices of MAPA communities from across the globe to organizations that can aid in climate remediation.
MAPA communities have begun to be heard at climate conferences across the globe. The Conference of Parties (COP) is an international climate meeting held each year by the United Nations. At each meeting, government representatives report on progress, make agreements on intermediate goals, and negotiate policy. The most recent COP, COP28, was held in Expo City, Dubai. Nigeria, a MAPA country, tied with China in fourth place for the largest number of registered delegates representing its country for COP28.[18] At the summit, Nigeria and Germany signed a performance agreement to improve Nigeria's electricity supply.[19] The annual COP meetings have provided a stage for those who identify as MAPA to be given a voice that will be listened to.