The climate crisis affects people differently. Women and girls suffer more from climate change because they are often the poorest and rely heavily on local resources for their survival.
In rural areas, women and girls usually handle tasks like gathering food, water, and firewood for their families. During droughts and irregular rainfall, they have to work harder and travel further to get what their families need. This increased burden can also lead to a higher risk of gender-based violence, as climate change worsens existing conflicts and inequalities.
When extreme weather events occur, women and children are 14 times more likely to die than men. This is mainly due to limited access to information, mobility, decision-making power, and resources. About 80% of people displaced by climate change are women and girls. Disasters can also disrupt crucial services like health care, further harming women and girls.
Because women are directly affected by the climate crisis, they are in a key position to help address the problem and find solutions to both reduce global warming and adapt to its effects.
Here are three reasons why supporting women and girls is crucial for climate action:
- Women Protect the Environment
Women are key in producing food, growing up to 80% of it in some developing countries. They know how to handle climate change by using methods like sustainable farming, choosing drought-resistant seeds, and managing soil in eco-friendly ways. Indigenous women use traditional knowledge to protect the environment, such as keeping diverse crops and preserving forests.
However, women often lack access to important resources like land, credit, and education. If women had equal access to these resources, they could increase farm production by 20-30%, feeding 100-150 million more people. This would also reduce the need to cut down forests for farming, which is a major cause of climate change.
- Women Build Resilience
Women do much more unpaid household and caregiving work than men. During climate disasters like floods or droughts, they take on even more responsibilities. Women often act as the first responders, taking care of children, the elderly, and other community members. They help families and communities recover after disasters.
Despite their crucial role, women are often left out of decision-making about disaster planning and recovery. Including women in these processes is essential. Their skills and knowledge can help better prepare for and recover from disasters, making communities more secure.
3.Women Drive Change
Women and girls, from students to celebrities, are leading climate movements, highlighting how urgent the climate crisis is and why we need to act now for the future.
Women also make a big impact in other areas:
- As Consumers: Women make most of the buying decisions in wealthy countries. They are more likely to recycle, reduce waste, choose organic and eco-friendly products, and save water and energy at home. Their choices help promote more sustainable living.
- In Politics: Research shows that countries with more women in parliament often have stronger climate policies and support international environmental agreements.
- In Business: Companies with more women leaders usually have better environmental practices and invest more in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- In Renewable Energy: Women now make up 40% of the workforce in solar energy, compared to just 22% in the oil and gas industry.
Investing in women is crucial for creating a more sustainable future.
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