Are International Non-Governmental Development Organizations Fuelling a ‘Conspiracy of Silence’ Around Climate Injustice?

This article reflects on my experience over the last decade working with International Non-Governmental Development Organizations (INGDOs) on advocacy and action related to climate justice. After presenting a brief summary of the current climate science and failing regulatory regime, with the consequences predicted for developing countries, I then go on to assess how INGDOs are currently responding. The assessment here is that on the whole, with a few notable exceptions, most INGDOs are not giving climate justice the level of urgency it requires, particularly in their public communications. Based on the scientific evidence relating to the multiple impacts of climate change on human development, I ask why it is that INGDOs are still not prioritizing this? I argue that by ignoring climate change in their public communications and outreach, INGDOs may be contributing to a conspiracy of silence which still surrounds climate change in Western societies. I end by suggesting some priority actions which INGDOs might consider in responding to the pressing challenge of climate justice.