The Environmental Benefits of Gender Equality

In our society and societies around the world, there are hierarchical social structures that attribute to the degradation and devaluing of women and nature which has led to our current environmental crisis. Environmental issues will continue to have graver ramifications if not addressed swiftly and with an understanding that any policy looking to enhance our environmental state, must also enhance the state of women. In Kari Norgaard and Richard York’s “Gender Equality and State Environmentalism,” the two authors place a key emphasis on how “improving gender equality may serve to further ecological reforms, as ecofeminists have theorized.” (Norgaard, York PDF 14) The article analyzes research which indicates that “women are more likely than men to express support for environmental protection and that women consider a variety of environmental risks, from nuclear power to toxic substances, to be more serious than do men.” (Norgaard, York PDF 3) The authors also conclude from their findings that “societies with higher levels of gender equality are more supportive of environmental protection.” (Norgaard, York PDF 14) This illustrates how improving the status of women and their political representation in global societies will ultimately improve the environmental status of the world, linking the status of nature and women as one.

https://www.un.org/womenwatch/beijing15/Final_Report_of_online_discussion-Women_and_the_Environment.pdf

In the UN report listed above, the organization examines how the representation of women in political institutions (government, parliament, the prime minister, etc) has a definite correlation with environmental reformation and policies. The article emphasizes that critical steps need to be taken to narrow the gender gap and empower women into leadership positions in order to help reduce the impact of climate change. The article illustrates how there is a consensus that “gender inequality can worsen the impacts of climate change,” and that in order to empower women we must begin to view women as “not just helpless victims but powerful agents of change,” knowing that their leadership is critical.

https://womendeliver.org/investment/invest-women-tackle-climate-change-conserve-environment/

In this second article by Women Deliver, the author illustrates that though women (especially those in developing countries) bear the brunt of climate change, they are in fact “the world’s best bet in the fight for a clean, healthy, and sustainable planet.” The website article explains how the traditional role of women as caregivers, nurturers, procurers of water, and agricultural production not only makes them well suited to further prevent “degradation and adapt to the changing climate – they have a vested interest in doing so” as well. Like Norgaard and York, the author explains how studies found that “countries with higher female parliamentary representation are more prone to ratify international environmental treaties.” Also, these studies found that when women gain rights and access to land, they utilize natural resources sustainably.

Image result for women of color coming together to heal earth

By including women in climate change reforms and decision making, we can assure that our planet is well taken care of by helping to end climate change and guaranteeing enough safe drinking water, food, and shelter by preventing environmental degradation and the consequence of human displacement for the next generations to come. A new study I found from the Social Science Research (JSTOR – Christina Ergas & Richard York) shows that men are basically terrible for the environment. The study examines country’s environmental practices and the correlating status of women in government and found (like Norgaard and York) that nations, where women had higher political status, “as indicated by the length of time women, have had the right to vote and women’s representation in parliament and ministerial government — tend to have lower CO2 emissions per capita.” (Ergas, York) Even more simply put, carbon dioxide emissions are lower in nations where women have higher political status, and in those nations where women do not, the carbon dioxide emissions are higher (also nations with greater military spending). So the conclusion has been illustrated, explained, and reiterated, women and women in higher political power is good for the environment and thus good for us all. Oh, how beneficial equality can really be!

Image result for mother earth african

(JSTOR Article – Ergas, York) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049089X12000609

Join the Conversation

118 Comments

  1. Kudabet is The Most Trusted Agen Slot Tergacor Di Indonesia which is a type of provider that is easy to play.
    It can be said that the Trusted Slot Agent in Indonesia is one of the best gacor slot sites.
    Usually beginners will start their first bet by playing their favorite game. Why is that?
    Because several slotters have concluded that on our site KUDABET has an RTP value for gacor slots which is quite profitable for novice players.

  2. Gaspoll88 is Game Slot Gacor the best undeductible credit deposit that provides
    trusted online slot games with the highest RTP in Indonesia.
    Gaspoll88 provides easy transactions for those of you who want to play, such as transactions between local banks,
    e-wallets and via credit without deductions.
    Gaspoll88 provides various online gacor slot providers and you can play using only 1 userid.
    Several slot providers available at Gaspoll88 include Pragmaticplay, Joker, PG Soft, CQ9 and Creative Gaming.

  3. Dewataspin is the first online slot agent to use the best undeductible credit deposit slot system that provides trusted online slot games with
    Rtp Slot Gacor in Indonesia. Only by using 1 ID, you can hardly play various games.

  4. Your point of view is as clear as a blind spot on an awning. It’s a lot to take in. I want to see what you write next fnaf

  5. Rapid urbanization, the area’s high susceptibility to natural catastrophes and climate change, as well as environmental issues like pollution and ecosystem degradation, word wipe are all contributing to a rise in gender disparity.

  6. Ankara’nın lider su tesisatçısı ‘Yıldırım Tesisat 2004 yılında kurulmuş kurumsal bir tesisat firmasıdır’ 7/24 açık Ankara tesisatçı hizmeti, ‘su kaçağı tespiti, atık su kaçak tespiti, batarya musluk tamiri ve klozet montajı tamiri’ gibi deneyim ve ustalık gerektiren sıhhi tesisat arızalarını, profesyonel deneyimli usta kadrosu ile ‘1 yıl malzeme işçilik garantili’ Ankara su tesisatçısı hizmeti iletişim numarası 0539 5484427 HEMEN ARA! ÜCRETSİZ KEŞİF. teknolojik tesisat araç ve gereçleri ile kısa sürede çözüm odaklı hizmet vermektedir. Ankara tesisatçı

  7. This is very fascinating, You’re a very professional blogger. Everything is very open with a precise description of the issues. I’ve joined your feed and stay up for in quest of extra of your magnificent post. It was definitely informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing! Best Furniture Shops in Bangalore

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *