International Women’s Month highlights the crucial role of women in climate action. UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024 emphasizes the necessity of reducing emissions by 42% by 2030. Women leaders like Inger Andersen and others exemplify commitment to climate solutions and advocate for global collaboration. The article celebrates both historical figures and emerging activists driving change for a sustainable future.
March is International Women’s Month, a time to highlight the invaluable contributions of women dedicated to enhancing our planet’s safety and improving our lives. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has recently urged for immediate action to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution amidst ongoing delays in climate action.
According to UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2024, countries must cut emissions by 42 percent by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C as per the Paris Agreement. The ramifications of failing to achieve this target could be dire. UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized, “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 included in Reuters Events’ third annual Trailblazing Women in Climate List, celebrating women from diverse sectors such as policy and activism. She is joined by notable figures, including Mafalda Duarte of the Green Climate Fund, former Irish President Mary Robinson, and Inna Braverman of Eco Wave Power, among others.
Andersen remarked on the inclusion of women in climate action, stating, “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.”
These women inherit the legacy of historic environmental activists like the late Wangari Maathai, known for her Green Belt Movement, which championed tree planting, conservation, and women’s rights. They are supported by a new generation of activists including Sophia Kianni, Greta Thunberg, Vanessa Nakate, and Leila McLeod, all of whom bring attention to urgent climate issues.
Similarly, young advocates such as Javea Estavillo, a youth delegate from the Philippines at COP28, and the Dumaliang sisters, who founded Masungi Georeserve for land protection, demonstrate commitment to environmental defense. Their initiatives reflect a passionate drive to safeguard our environment from threats like land-grabbing and illegal logging.
We acknowledge and applaud the relentless endeavors of these remarkable women. Their work is critical to securing a sustainable future for upcoming generations. As Andersen noted, amidst geopolitical challenges, “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 an important reminder of the significant roles women play in combating climate change and promoting environmental justice. The UNEP’s urgent call for action highlights the critical need for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to secure a sustainable future. Recognizing the contributions of women leaders and grassroots activists reinforces the need for collaboration and diverse perspectives in the climate action movement. Together, we must support their efforts for a healthier planet for future generations.
Original Source: www.manilatimes.net
