Climate consciousness and occupational justice

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are well positioned to address climate change’s impact on health and well-being, as we understand the vital dynamic between the person, occupation, and environment. Observing the interplay between occupations and the warming environment reveals an urgent truth: the environment we rely on shapes the health, well-being, and rights of all populations. Everyday activities like cooking and laundry often contribute to water usage and waste, which fuels environmental challenges, such as droughts and water pollution. These effects disproportionately harm marginalized communities—Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and those of low socioeconomic status—who are more likely to live in areas with environmental degradation, contamination, and hazards (Farbent, 2022). For these communities, climate change exacerbates existing inequities, leading to occupational deprivation as infrastructure and resources diminish, restricting access to meaningful activities. According to the American Occupational Therapy’s (AOTA’s) 2022 Policy E16: Occupational Therapy’s Commitment to Sustainability and Climate Change, OTPs can mitigate harmful health impacts through education, practice, research, policy, and advocacy.