Climate change will affect everyone, but it won’t affect everyone equally. How and to what degree we each experience climate impacts, particularly long-term ones like loss of income, food insecurity, or even displacement, will be influenced by existing disparities. As is the case in most crises, those with less—less money, less political power, less autonomy—are at greater risk.

That’s why women and girls, who make up the majority of the world’s low-income population and continue to face ongoing social, economic, and political barriers, are particularly vulnerable in a warming world. A growing movement known as climate feminism acknowledges these heightened risks and aims to address them while also promoting female leadership as the key to stronger and more equitable climate solutions.

How is climate change a multiplier of injustices for women?

Climate change developed in an unjust world, and its impacts both reflect and magnify existing gender inequalities. Globally, women continue to own less property while also having less access to education, financial autonomy, and political power. In developing countries, women are responsible for between 45 to 80 percent of all food production, depending on the region, which means their livelihoods are more vulnerable to climate impacts like drought and flooding. These long-standing gender disparities will make it harder for women to cope and adapt to a warming world, whether that means relocating from a region affected by rising sea levels, affording quality medical care in the wake of a natural disaster, or transitioning away from agricultural work.

Of course, not all women face the same level of risk. Women of color, Indigenous women, LGBTQIA2S+ people, and women living in the Global South often face even greater challenges from climate change than white women or those living in wealthy nations. It’s critical that we recognize the intersections of inequity—and then prioritize those most affected.

Why are women well-suited to lead on climate solutions?

Investing in women’s education, health, safety, and political and financial autonomy will go far toward addressing climate injustice. But climate feminism recognizes that improving gender equality is good for the climate too: Research shows that leadership and equal participation by women, whether in boardrooms or climate forums, results in “better outcomes for climate policy, reducing emissions, and protecting land,” says Katharine K. Wilkinson, coeditor of the anthology All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis.

She sees some commonalities in the approaches taken by female leaders, including the ability to consistently prioritize change over being in charge. And the feminist climate renaissance they are spearheading is already well on its way. From Christiana Figueres, the architect behind the Paris Agreement, to iconic Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, women are increasingly at the helm of climate advocacy, policy negotiations, and climate science. And when they are, everyone benefits.

To learn more about what makes women powerful climate leaders, click here.

Other stories from the feminist climate renaissance

We’ll see you soon!

NRDC’s website is getting a refresh, which means the team behind this newsletter is taking a break to help with its launch. Top of Mind will be back in your inbox on March 28 (with a shiny new site to explore too)!

Like what you’re reading? Share Top of Mind with a friend.

NRDC Top of Mind is delivered to your inbox Tuesday mornings. View our newsletter archive.

Received this from a friend and want to subscribe? Sign up here.

Have an idea to share with us or a topic you want to read more about? Reach out at topofmind@nrdc.org.