gender
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Natural disasters disproportionally harm women in Australia
Women are 14 times more likely to die and face higher rates of violence and homelessness during and after natural disasters in Australia, yet climate policies fail to address these dangers, experts say.
Stephanie Gardiner reports for The Australian Associated Press.
In short:
- Domestic violence and homelessness spike for women following natural disasters in Australia, with significant cases noted after events like the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires and the 2022 NSW Northern Rivers floods, new research found.
- Despite research, climate policies still overlook the heightened risks faced by women, who make up 80% of those displaced after disasters.
- Traditional gender roles during disasters often lead men to heroic duties while women bear increased caregiving burdens, exacerbating social and economic disadvantages.
Key quote:
“There’s the social disadvantage, but women are also economically disadvantaged and … when a crisis strikes, they’ve got less security and fewer resources to draw upon.”
— Carla Pascoe Leahy, research manager at the Women's Environmental Leadership Australia.
Why this matters:
Women face disproportionately higher risks during natural disasters, which exacerbate existing social and economic vulnerabilities. Ultimately, building resilience against natural disasters means building equity. By empowering women and addressing the root causes of their vulnerabilities, communities can create a more just and sustainable path to recovery.
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Indigenous women lead the way in climate change solutions
Three Indigenous women bring unique perspectives and traditional knowledge to the forefront of the climate change discussion.
B. ‘Toastie’ Oaster, Anna V. Smith, and Joaqlin Estus report for High Country News.
In short:
- Amelia Marchand advocates for integrating Indigenous knowledge in climate science, emphasizing data sovereignty and ethical collaboration with tribal communities.
- Lydia Jennings, a soil microbiologist, studies the environmental impact of mining near tribal lands, underscoring the importance of Indigenous perspectives in land management and policy.
- Iñupiaq Roberta Tuurraq Glenn-Borade blends traditional knowledge with scientific research to address climate challenges, highlighting the resilience of Indigenous cultures.
Key quote:
"Indigenous people have so much to give, if people would just stop taking it."
— Amelia Marchand, senior tribal climate resilience liaison at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate, and health.
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Indonesian women's livelihoods upended by electric vehicle industry expansion
In Indonesia's quest to dominate the electric vehicle market, Sulawesi women report losing their farms for nickel mining, crucial for battery production.
In short:
- Sulawesi's pepper farmers, predominantly women, face land seizures as Indonesia accelerates nickel mining for electric vehicle batteries.
- The loss of land not only disrupts traditional farming but also poses significant economic and social challenges for local communities.
- Despite Indonesia's electric vehicle ambitions, the environmental and human costs raise critical questions about sustainable development.
Key quote:
"If we weren't evicted, we could have still earned millions of rupiahs. We're not rich people, but it's enough to cover our daily living costs."
— Masita, affected farmer in East Luwu
Why this matters:
This story highlights the complex intersection of environmental progress and human rights. While Indonesia's push toward electric vehicles marks a step toward sustainable energy, it also underscores the need for ethical and equitable resource extraction. How can we balance technological advancement with the protection of local communities and their livelihoods?
In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means
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Photo by Arief Hidayat on Unsplash
Women say their farms were seized to build nickel mines amid Indonesia's electric vehicle boom
Indonesia has ambitious plans to become a hub for manufacturing electric vehicles. On the island of Sulawesi, women tell CNN their farms are being seized without their consent to support the industry's growth.
Wanjira Mathai: Africa’s potential to fight climate change
Africa is in danger of becoming the epicenter of the climate crisis, but the continent also holds the potential to fight it.
Newsletter
Photo by Lisa Boonaerts on Unsplash
In DeSantis' Fla., schools get OK for climate-denial videos
Florida’s Department of Education has approved the classroom use of material from the Prager University Foundation, a conservative group that produces videos that distort science, history, gender and other topics. Education experts call the videos dangerous propaganda.
Image by anurag Singh from Pixabay
Climate crisis linked to rising domestic violence in south Asia, study finds
As deadly heatwaves sweep through cities in India, China, the US and Europe amid the climate crisis, new research has found that rising temperatures are associated with a substantial rise in domestic violence against women.
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