Introduction: Representing Vulnerable Communities and Future Generations in the Face of Climate Change

Abstract

n its Sixth Assessment Report, published in three parts across  and  , the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents its most dire warning yet: Unless we make rapid changes to our production and con-sumption patterns, within decades we will face a severe breakdown of the global climate. Although the impacts will be felt globally, the most severe consequences will befall socioeconomically vulnerable communities, especially in the Global South. In many low- and middle-income countries, the impacts of climate change already constitute a reality that vulnerable communities are learning to manage in their daily lives. Even though climate change most severely impact poorer countries and more vulnerable communities, these groups are signi fi cantly underrepresented within climate policy and practice. while worst effects will felt to represent negotiations. At the  th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP held Glasgow  , representatives the most climate vulnerable communities expressed disillusion with the continued disregard of their interests, values, knowledge, and experiences with regard to climate change. This