Population & Climate Change

Climate change is affecting men and women all over the world differently, especially in the world’s poorest countries such as Malawi and amongst the most vulnerable people and communities.

Environmental financing mechanisms have provided only limited benefits for the poorest and most disadvantaged countries. Women are generally least considered by modern environmental financing mechanisms. The reasons are manifold and can be found among those impeding women’s development all over the world.

They range from a lack of access to capital and markets, to women’s unrecognized and uncompensated care contributions, to lacking legal protection and ownership rights to cultural and societal biases against women’s engagement in learning, political participation and decision-making processes.

Reproductive rights and gender equality are topics that aren't typically raised when discussing climate change, however, a growing number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) argue that women and their reproductive choices are at the heart of reducing global emissions.

Many people admit that that they fail to see the important connection, despite understanding that population plays a huge role in rising greenhouse gas emissions, and Barbara Crosette's article in The Nation argues that the connection might not be the best approach to take when fighting for women's rights.