Letz hear about climate change and women…

This April LaTash Baker and Jazmin Campbell , co-hosts of Luxembourg-based Letz Hear It! podcast invited us to talk about climate change and women.

Press the button below to listen to this episode dedicated to why and how climate change affects disproportionately women, and to what needs to happen to tackle the climate-related sustainability challenge.

Three compelling reasons why women have an instrumental role to play when it comes to climate action:

Reason 1: Climate action requires 100 percent of the population

Half of the world’s population is comprised of women and girls, yet they are often left out of the conversation when it comes to climate change. But if we want to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we need everyone on board. That means more women and girls need to be empowered and involved.

We need women, in all their diversity, involved at all levels – from climate negotiations to boardrooms to forests and fields, especially in sectors and regions hit hard by the ravages of climate change.

Reason 2: Empowering women means better climate solutions

Women make up nearly half of the agricultural labor force in developing countries. When provided with the same access to resources as men, figures show that women can increase their agricultural yields by 20 to 30 percent.

Empowering women in agriculture can also have a positive impact on climate adaptation. By providing appropriate technology and resources, we can promote more sustainable farming and conservation practices. And by reducing poverty, we can help individuals better adapt to the effects of climate change.

Investing in women and girls has far-reaching benefits for communities and countries. In fact, research shows that countries with high representation of women in parliament are more likely to ratify international environmental treaties.

Reason 3: Women are key to building climate resilience in communities

When it comes to building climate resilience in communities, involving women is crucial. In fact, the UN reports that communities are more successful in resilience and capacity-building strategies when women are part of the planning process.

Additionally, women are usually first responders in community responses to natural disasters, leaders in disaster risk-reduction, and contribute to post recovery by addressing the early recovery needs of their families and strengthening community building.

By involving women in community planning and disaster response efforts, we can build stronger, more resilient communities that are better equipped to face the challenges of climate change.