8 Impacts of Climate Change on Women: Why Gender Matters in the Crisis

Currently, climate change is one of the most pressing issues that has profound effects on our lives. People around the globe are facing different challenges, but the repercussions are not uniform. Women are considered more vulnerable than men.

The impact of climate change on women is backed by different reasons. Among them, the core reason is that most of the world’s poor population is women who lack access to resources and equal opportunities. The threats of climate change put them in a more vulnerable position. 

In this blog post, you will learn about the impact of climate change on women, which exacerbates gender inequalities.

You might be interested in What is Gender and Climate Change? Understanding the Intersection

Understanding Climate Change and Its Global Implications

Climate change is the long-term change in temperature, rain patterns, and other elements of the Earth’s climate system. This change is primarily driven by human activities, such as deforestation, burning of fossil fuels, and the industrial revolution, that increased greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. 

As a result, our planet is experiencing extreme climate events, such as an increase in temperatures, a rise in sea level, and shifts in biodiversity etc. No country or region is safe from its effects. However, the severity of these impacts varies based on economic status, societal structures, and geographic location. 

Climate change also impacts men and women differently. Vulnerable populations—often including women—face greater challenges due to their socioeconomic status and limited access to resources and decision-making processes.

The Impact of Climate Change on Women

1. The Poorest of the Poor are Women

According to an estimate, 1.3 billion people live in a state of poverty. Among these poor people, 70 percent are women. One of the core reasons that climate change impacts women more is their low status in society.

Most of the women are economically dependent, and they have a low or no income source. Less money and extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves, droughts, unseasonable rain, etc, make it hard for them to survive. They don’t have the money to buy necessities and secure their lives. Hence, they are more vulnerable to climate change. 

2. Dependency on Natural Resources

Women are proportionally more dependent on natural resources for their livelihood. This trend is visible in rural areas where women are responsible for managing water and food through agriculture and livestock. 

Extreme weather conditions increase women’s workload. They put more effort into managing and securing household livelihoods from climate-related risks. Moreover, as compared to men, women have fewer resources to invest in alternative income sources or to adapt to climate change. 

Such challenges make women vulnerable to climate change. 

3. Intensive Labour 

Intensive labor also increases the impact of climate change on women. Agriculture, household work, or livestock are labor-intensive and demand time. Especially if executed manually with traditional simple tools.

Women engaged in such tasks have little or no time to participate and benefit from environmental services. With no knowledge, they are less prepared to confront climate-related challenges.

4. Social and Economic Disparities

Women often face social and economic disparities. They don’t have financial resources and have unequal access to leadership positions. These disparities prevent their voices from being heard in the process of policy-making and decision-making. 

Consequently, gender-blind approaches are developed that ignore the needs of women, making them more vulnerable to climate impacts.

5. Access to Education and Information

Lack of access to education and information also makes women vulnerable to climate change. Education empowers women. In many regions, girls and young women are forced to leave educational institutions to fulfill household duties or to search for resources because of climate-related crises.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), “It is estimated that 158 million women and girls are pushed into poverty as a direct result of climate change, 16 million more than the total number of men and boys.”

Moreover, as women lack access to information therefore they are not prepared to combat climate-related risks and recovery options. 

6. Health Risks

Climate change directly impacts women’s health. For instance, social and cultural norms restrict women’s decision-making and mobility options. This increases their chances of injury and loss of life. 

Additionally, extreme climate change events exacerbate existing health disparities. For instance, pregnant women are more vulnerable to heat waves, air pollution, and other climate-related health risks, impacting both their health and the health of their unborn children.

 7. Displacement and Migration

Another significant impact of climate change on women is displacement and migration. Climate-related disasters such as rising sea levels, floods, and droughts have forced millions of people to leave their homes. 

This displacement can expose women to violence, exploitation, and human trafficking. Forced migration and temporary shelters in refugee camps make women vulnerable to all sorts of violence. Lack of sanitation facilities is another challenge that they face in such a situation. 

According to the UN Environment, about “…80% of the people displaced by climate change are women or girls facing heightened risks of poverty, violence or unintended pregnancies as they migrate to safer locations.”

8. Care Responsibilities

Women around the world are the primary caregivers. According to an estimate, women in the U.S. make up three-quarters of K-12 teachers. So, in extreme temperatures, women have to stay in daycare or schools despite the weather conditions. 

Similarly, in low-income communities, women are more likely to stay at home. Despite the condition of the building, it can be mold-infested or clouded with high levels of pollution. Such conditions can increase the risk of asthma and can cause psychological strain. 

Conclusion

The impact of climate change on women is profound. It has a multifaceted impact that requires gender-sensitive approaches to climate action. Hence, understanding the intersection of gender and climate is crucial to working towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Moving forward as a global community, let’s commit to advocating for women’s rights, promoting their leadership, and ensuring their voices are heard in the fight against climate change. The health of our planet and the well-being of future generations depend on it.