Gender solutions can mitigate climate change
The change of the climate on Earth has an impact on everybody. There will be more floods, droughts, famines, poverty, conflicts and migration as the climate changes because of the increasing emission of greenhouse gases caused by humans.
However, the consequences of the climate change are not equal for everybody. Who are the victims of floods, famine and who has to flee from areas of conflict? People also, to various extents, contribute to climate change. Who are those who drive cars, fly, eat large amounts of meat and consume energy intensive goods? The consequences of and reasons for climate change bring to the fore the importance of discussing the differences between North and South, rich and poor, men and women, young and old, etc.
Leading up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP 15 in Copenhagen, NIKK magasin published a special issue, exploring the differences in the ways men and women are affected by and contribute to climate change. Wealthy Western men drive cars, while poor women in the South find it harder to till their soil. This is a way of putting the difference bluntly. Nevertheless, it is important to also consider other categories than gender and the fact that various categories might interact.
This special issue is a follow-up to the question, discussing various methods for tackling climate change where a gender perspective is crucial for the solutions. By taking into account the different conditions of women and men, it is possible to find new solutions for mitigating climate change. This special issue is thus a contribution to the decision of Finland as chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers this year to focus on climate solutions.
This issue of NIKK magasin is my last one as editor. It has been a privilege to edit a magazine which aims at functioning as a bridge between gender research and gender equality politics in the Nordic region. Given the challenges caused by the continued unequal power structure between women and men in the Nordic countries, there is a great need for research based knowledge as a foundation for gender equality politics.
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Editor: Bosse Parbring
Read the NIKK Magasin 2-2011 online
