Climate Change and Ecofeminism

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 42,100 people die annually from air pollution in Nepal, of which 19 percent are children under the age of five and 27 percent are the elderly over 70 years of age. This is reducing the life expectancy of an average Nepali by 4.1 years. Statistics show that air pollution is the leading cause of death in Nepal.

The World Health Organization's policy brief, citing the summary of the Stockholm +50 conference, points out that climate change will have serious impacts on mental health and human well-being. Climate change and rising temperatures indicate that levels of allergens and pollutants in the air are increasing and increasing, particularly depression, anxiety, grief, suicide and emotional distress. Moreover, the economic, social, political and cultural effects of climate change are not discussed so much, especially in Nepal.

It is well known that climate change is viewed from a multifaceted perspective including gender equality, feminism. Not all living creatures are immune to the effects of climate change and its effects. Therefore, in this article, an attempt has been made to analyze the context of climate change and ecofeminism.

The concept of ecofeminism was first mentioned by the French writer Francois d'Aubon in her book 'Le Feminism ul la Mort'. Ecofeminism, also known as environmental feminism, uses basic feminist principles of gender equality, revaluing non-patriarchal or nonlinear structures and discussing biological processes, their interrelationships and benefits. This theory emphasizes the tendency of patriarchal societies to dominate both minority people and nature. This theory views women and nature as synonymous and, like other feminist theories, highlights the interrelationships and practices between the exploiter and the exploited.

Ecofeminist theory also emphasizes a feminist perspective on green politics. It envisages an egalitarian and cooperative society and emphasizes the equality of all rather than the dominance of any one group. The concept of ecofeminism is still viewed from different perspectives today. Eg: liberal ecofeminism, spiritual/cultural ecofeminism, social/socialist ecofeminism etc. Bringing feminism and environmentalism together, ecofeminism argues that the dominance of women and the degradation of the environment are the result of patriarchy and capitalism. We can understand this as pointing to the history of masculinity's continued exploitation of femininity and other marginalized groups.

Professor and ecofeminist writer Greta Gard has mentioned in her essay that women produce most of the food in the world but consume less of it. This means that nature and women are producers and givers while men are more consumers/users. Not only that, although women are productive, the excessive consumption is done by men.

A study in Sweden has shown that men consume more animal and animal products and use vehicles than women. Thus, it was found that men there produced an average of 16 percent more greenhouse gases than women. The study found that women are more likely to spend money on low-emission products such as healthcare, goods and clothing. It was mentioned in the study that men spend 70 percent of their earnings on greenhouse gas-intensive products, including car fuel.

Similarly, research conducted in 15 European countries also found that companies with female executive directors had lower carbon dioxide emissions. The research highlighted the importance of gender diversity in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the importance of gender equality and environmental sustainability. Ecofeminism does not accept dualistic thinking that separates humans from nature and men from women. Dualism argues that both women and nature contribute to exploitation and domination. That is, it advocates the concept of an egalitarian society.

Some cultural ecofeminists argue that women have a biological relationship with nature because of their reproductive capacity, a relationship that is different and closer than that between nature and men. Some cultural ecofeminists argue that because women's closeness to nature is linked to social and psychological structures, their knowledge and moral reasoning are appropriate for solving environmental problems.

If this theory can make women aware and empowered to reduce the impact of climate change, which is currently a hot problem and challenge, it seems that greenhouse gas emissions will decrease. It also seems necessary to pay attention to the relevant stakeholders. As the government of Nepal has expressed the goal and commitment to reduce green gas emissions to zero i.e. net zero by 2045, there is no choice but to find and implement the best possibility to fulfill that commitment.

Ecofeminist theory suggests that the interrelationship between women and nature deepens. In the context of Nepal, it is important to spread public awareness about climate change as the relationship and contact with forests, rivers, and agriculture is the domain of women. It can be assumed that women-centered programs will be effective in order to minimize its effects.