Green is the new pink - why environmental justice is a feminist issue.

 

With the US making recent headlines for their outrageous approval of the ‘Willow Project’, which would funnel billions into oil and gas drilling in rural parts of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, the demand for environmental justice is more urgent than ever. Environmental degradation and climate change are the greatest threats to our planet and future, and the consequences reach far and wide, devastating ecosystems and communities around the world. As feminist organisation Mama Cash so eloquently puts it, ‘those who are least responsible for climate change experience its greatest impact’. It’s true. In the Western world, we typically view climate change through a very first-world lens, with little knowledge or regard for those who actually bear the brunt of ecological detriment. But environmental justice is, in every respect, a feminist issue as both movements seek to liberate oppressed communities from inequality and create a more sustainable society for all. In this article, we will explore how environmental justice and feminism intersect, and why it is important to unify these efforts in order to create a fairer world.

 

As the UN Women states, climate change is not gender neutral. Prevailing inequalities that women and girls face across the globe are exacerbated by the climate crisis. According to a UN Women’s study on Universal access to safe water, in 80% of water-deprived households, the responsibility falls on women and girls to travel and collect water. It is believed by water.org that women and girls around the world spend approximately 266 million hours every day dedicated to collecting water for their households. The burden of travelling and collecting water obstructs women and girls from attending school or employment. Not to mention the quality of water yet again disproportionately affects women and girls. Unsanitary water poses health risks to pregnant women and menstrual health, and unsanitary conditions during birth cause around 1 million deaths per year.

 

As global surface temperatures increase, so does the intensity of natural disasters. Catastrophic natural events aggravate the inequalities that women and girls already face across the world. The aftermath of natural disasters can be devastating for women as sexual violence is heightened post-disaster. Sex trafficking, sexual assault and abuse surge after cataclysmic events and there are many reasons for this spike in violence towards women, for example, increased stress, substance abuse and trauma-related mental health issues. Increased aggression is commonplace in crowded shelters, which can lead to sexual violence as a means of control. Additionally, responses to natural disasters often overlook the needs of pregnant and nursing mothers. Stanford University professor of gynaecology and obstetrics, Kay Daniels stated that when preparing for a disaster, ‘OB patients tend to be ignored’. Stress, trauma and a lack of resources like food and potable water can have incredibly damaging effects on expecting mothers. These conditions can lead to stillbirths, neonatal complications, premature births and retained placentas, which can be fatal.

 

Despite being disproportionately affected by climate change, women are the front runners in the fight against ecological degradation. Feminist groups are battling the exploitation of power from governments, standing in solidarity against invasive industries that destroy agriculture and ecosystems. Bai Indigenous Women’s Network is an incredible feminist cooperative that inspires the indigenous women of the Philippines to preserve their right to land and resources, while providing a platform for women to be heard during political decisions about land and agriculture. Elected in 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte has encouraged the illegal seizure of land and paved the way for transnational corporations to use indigenous land for projects such as giant dams and mega highways, under the guise that these opportunities create jobs and boost the economy. Facilitating such activities is injudicious and leaves indigenous communities displaced, perpetuating the capitalistic belief that land is always disposable and can be bought and sold, regardless of ancestral and cultural value. Bai Indigenous Women’s Network amplifies the voices of indigenous communities that pay the price of land grabbing.

 

With every new article about the latest plans on deforestation, fracking and oil drilling, it can feel overwhelmingly disheartening. Like fighting a losing battle. While large scale change requires immediate global action, we can still do our part to help reach environmental justice and gender equity. Advocating for policies that support climate action, such as renewable energy and sustainable transport initiatives is one solution in order to inspire change. Another way to make an impact is by making personal lifestyle changes that can reduce your carbon footprint; eating less meat, using public transport rather than driving and recycling are just a few ways to live more sustainably. It’s important to amplify the voices of those who experience climate injustice first-hand. Mama Cash is an amazing initiative that liberates women globally and has some excellent publications about feminism and climate change that I recommend reading, as it really helps to understand different perspectives and lived experiences.

 

Intersectionality provides a powerful lens for understanding the scope of ecological injustice and just how much it affects women across the globe. By placing those who are affected the most at the centre of discussions about feminism and climate change, we can create more equitable solutions to the problems that environmental injustice creates. It is essential that we are intersectional in our feminism in the western world and continue to give the most marginalized a voice in our efforts to create a fairer and more sustainable world. By doing this, we are ensuring a future where everyone can thrive.