Being a Feminist on a Hot Planet

By UVA 2nd-year student Julianne Feuchter

The patriarchy is inherently based on some people succeeding at the expense of others. This is the same mindset that causes people to overconsume and has led to our climate crisis. The most recent IPCC report made it clear that human actions have caused a rise in temperature of about 1.1 degrees Celsius globally, and that urgent changes must be made in terms of consumption and energy usage. 

Ideological changes derived from simultaneously tackling patriarchy and overconsumption must occur in order for us to thrive together in a society that addresses climate change. For that reason, feminism and sustainability should not be individual fights, but instead one stronger movement fighting for the same collective goals. These movements should also be linked because climate change is not neutral in its effects or causes; women experience a larger share of climate issues, although they contribute less to the problem.

In order to represent this shift, the UVA chapter of HER Campus – the #1 media portfolio for college women that is 100% women-owned-and-operated – devoted their December articles to green feminism. 

Climate change is not neutral in its effects 

The Pentagon designated the term “threat multiplier” to describe climate change because it exacerbates pre-existing issues, including many derived from gender inequality. Climate change amplifies imbalances and injustices such as homelessness, sexual violence, and disease. Extreme weather events, which increase with climate change, have been linked to an increase in early marriage, sex trafficking, and domestic violence. Additionally, while displacement from climate change is an issue for all, women make up 80% of those displaced. 

Climate change is not neutral in its causes 

The top 100 corporations which make up around 71% of global emissions according to the Carbon Majors report are primarily led by men historically and to this day. As a result, an overwhelming portion of emissions are a result of hierarchy, control, exploitation, and decision-making imposed by men. An increase in female leadership must occur, and existing and future leaders must embrace feminist ideals regardless of gender or sexual identity.

Feminist leadership can include non-female leaders, but requires that they apply a lens of equality and inclusiveness that is an essential part of feminism. Women are predicted to be more sustainability-focused leaders based on six competencies that tend to be prevalent in women leaders: long-term thinking, innovation, collaboration, transparency, environmental management, and social inclusiveness. 

Additionally, the carbon footprint of men is larger than that of women by 16 percent. A primary reason for this is because the top 1 percent of income earners globally, with 20 out of 21 being male, are responsible for more carbon emissions than the lowest 50 percent of earners.

How to address climate change through a feminist lens

As mentioned above, an increase in female and feminist leadership is a critical way to address climate change through a feminist lens; intersectional feminist leadership is necessary to dig at the root causes of the climate crisis and fight against the systemic oppression that maintain marginalized communities. Additionally, more money should be invested in environmental causes led by women in order to take advantage of alternative and innovative solutions. 

It is also important to recognize that one does not have to be an environmental scientist to address climate change. Incorporating sustainability into all lifestyles regardless of career path is essential to fighting climate change as a society. The link between feminism and sustainability is a prime example of this. As Katharine K. Wilkinson, a co-editor of the climate anthology “All We Can Save” said, “If you’re going to be a feminist on a hot planet, you have to be a climate feminist.” 

I encourage you to check out HER campus and other feministic organizations because they share voices and provide viewpoints that are critical to addressing our climate crisis.