Climate change, is, without question, the biggest threat that we have ever faced as a civilization. And I mean ever. We are on a trajectory that most scientists believe cannot be reversed. We don’t have to look too hard to find evidence to support this truth. In just this past year and right up to and including today, mega-fires, extreme weather in the Northeast (one of the worst snow storms in recorded history in the month of April), and Hurricanes Irma, Harvey & Maria (three of the most devastating, costly and life altering hurricanes in the history of our country) are just examples of the impact of climate change in the United States.
According to a recent UN report, climate change and its effects have a disproportionate effect on women. While no one is immune from the ravages of climate change, women are among the most vulnerable. Women serve as the leaders of their families, but they still suffer from rampant discrimination and unequal opportunities. These inequalities become even more pronounced in the face of changing climates, and women are more likely to become victims of scarcity, drought, food insecurity, and increased disease.
We know that climate genocide is a reality. We know that the realities for indigenous people are far more critical than for most of us and it begs the question: who is reporting about it? We also know that women scientists face barriers to advancement so how do we help make sure their voices are heard? As multiple organizations have reported, only 15% of those interviewed in the media on climate change have been women.
We are proud to announce we are doing an entire podcast series in the month of May dedicated to and interviewing women leading the charge, in our urgent race to combat climate change!
At the end of 2017, we interviewed the Co-Founder and Executive Director of WECAN International (Women Earth Climate Action Network), Osprey Orielle Lake, about this topic and it inspired us into action. Listen to that podcast here. As WECAN notes, “as the oceans and temperature rise, so do the women of the world”. Through our exciting and powerful lineup of women leading the charge in the biggest battle of our collective lives, we are taking our role as disruptors for good to a new, intentional and important level!
We hope you’ll join us for our five-part series: Climate Solutions: #LeadingWomen beginning May 1, 2018.