Last week, I had the opportunity to listen to some delegates to COP27 as they reflected on the experience and the difference it would make in their work. There was a mix of hope and concern as they looked back.

Each spoke of the energy that came from being with that many people who were passionate about climate issues. A couple spoke about how encouraged they were to see the increased participation of women and youth. There was a strong sense that the global south was better represented. The worry remained, however, that these representatives were not always at the tables where decisions were being made.

A woman from Africa spent time in the Water Pavilion, listened to people talk about innovative technologies and best practices. She was encouraged that solutions to water problems already exist, worried about where to find the resources to put them in place.

An Indigenous man from Turtle Island spoke of the way that the colonial history of this land was shared.

A woman from the Middle East reflected on the shared colonial history.

A woman from South Sudan acknowledged that she had woken up to the intersection of climate change and conflict. A climate lens would now be an essential tool for her.

It was powerful to hear other people’s stories and see the connections.

But, hosting the event – this year and next – in countries that rely on oil revenue made no sense to these delegates. They wondered why a COP event is not held in a country that is a sustainability leader.

And, while the commitment to a loss and damages fund encouraged the delegates, they were well aware of how far from real change the world is.

A consistent theme was the need for a paradigm shift.

The delegates talked about the language we use around climate issues. They spoke of climate change and the climate emergency as one would expect.

But one of the delegates raised concern about talking about the damage caused by drought and flooding as humanitarian crises. Spoken of like this, people can donate to relief efforts without ever taking responsibility for the carbon emissions that caused the damage.

Talking about humanitarian concerns also suggests a call for charity. In the context of an issue that is largely caused by the Global North, these delegates wanted to talk about human rights. Talking about adequate food and housing as rights starts to put responsibility back on the Global North to curb the actions that drive climate change.

The language shift that really struck me was the talk of climate justice. The Global South is suffering disproportionately from the effects of climate change. The delegates pushed us from the Global North to take responsibility to act for justice.

The compensation fund for loss and damage is a start. It begins to acknowledge that the consumption patterns of wealthier nations have caused this problem. It is an act of justice to provide aid to those who suffer the consequences.

Talk of climate justice also pushes the Global North to recognize the consequences of our actions. It pushes us to act substantively. Continuing to burn fossil fuels at the rate we are is unjust.

One of the delegates used the term earth justice, arguing that we need to understand our relationship to the planet in a new way. If we think of treating the planet justly, we will stop damaging the earth.

A similar conversation took place around how we think about people affected by climate change. If we think of them as poor, suffering people, we are back in the charity model. If we think of them as neighbours, we begin to understand the need to help. If we think of them as family, we understand that they are our responsibility.

The indigenous concept of “all our relations” helps us move to an understanding of our obligations to assist and to change.

Climate change sounds mild. Many have shifted to talking about the climate crisis or the climate emergency. This shift in language helps motivate us to change.

Similarly, a shift to language like climate justice helps us understand that our assistance is not just an act of charity but an act of accountability.

And seeing the world as one family—an ecosystem that includes all our relations—is a paradigm shift that can guide our actions.

Cathy Hird lives on the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.