Are women affected by climate change more than men?

Climate change is becoming a very large, worldwide issue that is affecting an increasing number of people. Climate change increases the temperature of the globe and melts the glaciers increasing the sea levels.

According to the UN, 80% of people displaced by climate change are women. ‘Roles as primary caregivers and providers of food and fuel make them more vulnerable when flooding and drought occur.’ The 2015 Paris Agreement has made specific provision for the empowerment of women, recognising that they are disproportionately impacted.

In Central Africa 90% of Lake Chad has disappeared. This means women are forced to walk much further to collect water. As dry seasons become longer women work harder to feed and care for their families without support making them more vulnerable.

It is not just women in rural areas who are affected. Globally, women are more likely to experience poverty, and to have less socioeconomic power than men. This makes it difficult to recover from disasters which affect infrastructure, jobs and housing. The gender pay gap also raises a large problem as women receive less money it is harder for them to look after their families.

However there are ways to help people in these situations. Firstly, everyone should reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapour and other harmful gases. These gases thicken the atmosphere and trap in sun rays increasing the temperature of the world. We can reduce the emissions of these gases by using different energy sources instead of fossil fuels. We should also use electric cars instead of petrol.

To help people already in these situations, they need help from charities like water aid and aid from other rich countries like USA or Great Britain. For example Theresa May announces that £140 million of new funding to help the world’s poorest communities.

We need to stop climate change before it goes too far.