International Women’s Month highlights women’s contributions to environmental safety. The UNEP emphasizes urgent climate action, with reports calling for a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030. Trailblazing women in climate work tirelessly across various sectors while facing gender inequality challenges. The efforts of both established figures and emerging activists are crucial for a sustainable future.
International Women’s Month serves as an opportunity to highlight the women dedicated to championing our planet’s safety and environmental health. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive action to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, as evidenced in their recent Emissions Gap Report 2024. The report highlights the necessity for countries to cut emissions by 42 percent by 2030 to adhere to the Paris Agreement and restrict global warming to 1.5°C, warning of dire consequences should this target remain unachieved.
Inger Andersen, UNEP Executive Director, remarked on the critically changing climate, stating, “Temperatures are rising, ecosystems are disappearing, and pollution remains a deadly threat. These are global problems that require global solutions. The world must pull together to build a fairer, more sustainable planet.” Andersen is recognized as one of Reuters Events’ Trailblazing Women in Climate this year, alongside eleven influential women from various fields.
The Trailblazing Women in Climate List for this year includes remarkable figures such as Mafalda Duarte of the Green Climate Fund and former Irish President Mary Robinson, celebrated for her advocacy regarding climate change and human rights. Other notable women are Rhian-Mari Thomas, Inna Braverman, and Abigail Ross Hopper, each contributing significantly to the climate movement and renewable energy sectors.
Andersen highlighted the role of women in combating climate change, asserting, “There is no debating that women — along with many other vulnerable groups — bear the brunt of climate change impacts across the world. Just as there is no debating that women are at the forefront of action, innovative solutions and a movement pushing to fight the inequalities that the climate crisis is exacerbating. Yet the gender inequality gap continues to slow progress when we have no time to waste.” This statement underscores the intersection of gender and environmental justice that is crucial for successful climate action.
Legacy figures, such as Wangari Maathai, have paved the way for current activists, including Sophia Kianni and Greta Thunberg, who are galvanizing a global youth movement for climate change advocacy. Notably, influencers like Vanessa Nakate and the young Javea Estavillo are making considerable impacts through advocacy for climate financing and surrounding issues.
The commendable work of activists such as the Dumaliang sisters, who co-founded Masungi Georeserve, showcases the ongoing commitment of women to protect vulnerable ecosystems from illegal activities. Their efforts, alongside those of other outstanding women, are integral to securing an eco-friendly future for subsequent generations. Inger Andersen concluded with a call for unity, noting, “collaboration across borders and across our differences is the only option to protect the foundation of humanity’s existence — Planet Earth.”
In conclusion, International Women’s Month serves as a pivotal reminder of the vital contributions women make toward combatting climate change. The urgent calls to action by UNEP underscore the intersection of gender equity and environmental justice, emphasizing the need for collaboration to secure the future of our planet. Women at the forefront, from seasoned advocates like Inger Andersen to aspiring young activists, exemplify the relentless dedication required to safeguard the environment for the generations to come.
Original Source: www.manilatimes.net
