Gender Equality and Environmental Activism: Women Leading Climate Action

The article highlights the connection between environmentalism and gender equality, revealing that women account for 80% of those displaced by climate change and are 14 times more likely to perish due to extreme weather events. In developed countries, 83% of women in the US consider climate change a significant concern, in contrast to 66% of men. Notable historical initiatives, such as the Chipko Movement in India during the 1970s and the Appiko Movement in 1983, showcased women’s efforts in tree conservation. Wangari Maathai established the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. Greta Thunberg rose to fame in 2018 with Fridays for Future. Women represent 35% of STEM graduates and 30% of roles in environmental ministries, investing 90% of their earnings into their families, thereby fostering sustainability.