With 2023 recorded as the hottest year on record, the planet has been warming at a steady rate of 0.06 °C per decade since 1850. This relentless rise in global temperatures has intensified the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters such as floods, droughts, landslides, and cyclones, emphasizing the critical need for immediate climate intervention. The repercussions are felt most acutely by marginalized populations, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities both within and among countries. In this context, social equity and environmental justice emerge as interconnected imperatives ensuring fair access to resources and inclusive decision-making. Together, they are essential for advancing climate resilience and public health outcomes. Based upon this background, the chapter explores three key objectives: (i) to analyze the relation between the major per capita carbon dioxide emitters of the world and the countries that are the most vulnerable to climate change, (ii) to provide psychological interpretations and solutions for these countries challenge (iii) to explore the intersection of climate disparities, environmental justice, and their impact on public health. A quantitative approach was employed using the 2020 data from the ND-GAIN Vulnerability Index and the World Bank CO2 emissions record. Pearson product-moment correlation revealed a moderate negative association (p = − 0.50, p < 0.05) between climate vulnerability and per capita CO2 emission. The results indicated that countries contributing the least to global carbon dioxide emissions tend to be the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. In addition, it offers psychological interpretations and potential solutions faced by these countries based on the cognitive appraisal theory given by (Lazarus and Folkman in. Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer (1984)) to understand resilience in the face of climate adversity. The chapter advocates for the empowerment of marginalized populations in low-income areas through fair access to clean water, healthcare, and green infrastructure, along with stronger environmental restrictions, can enhance public health outcomes and minimize vector-borne disease transmission. These findings highlight the need for equitable climate governance, which prioritizes the inclusion of vulnerable countries while embedding psychological resilience within global adaptation efforts, ultimately enhancing public health outcomes in these nations.