PHILANTHROPY BRIEFING

Environmental Funders Network

Women & the Environment Carolyn E. Kossow

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDERS NETWORK AUGUST 2020

WOMEN & THE ENVIRONMENT

What we do to nature, we do to ourselves. “There is no insular divide between the environment and our bodies. Environmental hazards are also health hazards VANDANA SHIVA, ECOFEMINIST ACTIVIST ”

About the Environmental Funders Network (EFN)

EFN is collaborating to secure a truly EFN does not hold funds, consider or make sustainable and just world, fit for people and grants, or advise fundraisers. Please do not nature. Our mission is to increase financial send funding requests to EFN as we cannot support for environmental causes and to help respond to them. Funders interested in joining environmental philanthropy to be as effective EFN or finding out more about the network as it can be. Our members are funders, mainly should contact EFN’s director, Florence Miller, at based in the United Kingdom, who pursue these [email protected]. This report, along aims at home and overseas. As their network we with other EFN publications and resources will work inclusively, efficiently, transparently, relevant to environmental philanthropy, is accountably, and to high standards of social and available on the Resources page of our website: environmental responsibility. www.greenfunders.org/resources.

About this report

EFN was delighted to work with Carolyn These studies underscore the effectiveness of Kossow after she completed her Master’s degree examining environmental issues from a gendered in Gender Studies at the London School of perspective, and gender equality from an Economics, and was keen to further explore environmental point of view. For philanthropists the links between gender equality and the engaging in the environmental sector, we hope environment, and the role that philanthropy can this will bring a nuanced, human perspective to play in supporting both causes. the multitude of environmental issues we face today. For those supporting work to close the The purpose of this report is to delve into gender inequality gap, this guide will demonstrate the links between gender inequality and the that funding for environmental projects is an environment, to bring to light the multitude of effective way of bringing about this change. connections and thereby garner wider support We want to encourage a wider demographic of for both causes. It provides case studies from funders to support projects at the nexus of gender around the globe including Thailand, the United and the environment. States, India, Guatemala, Canada and Madagascar.

Cover image © Joel Lukhovi, Project Survival Media

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Contents

Introduction

Addendum: COVID-19...... 4

The environment...... 4

Gender and the environment ...... 5 Gendered approaches to the environment (ecofeminism, feminist environmentalism, environmental justice) ...... 5 Vulnerability of women...... 7 Vulnerability of children ...... 7

Case studies: women’s resistance to environmental degradation

NORTHERN THAILAND: water insecurity ...... 8

WEST VIRGINIA, THE UNITED STATES: mountain-top removal ...... 9

CHHATTISGARH, INDIA: deforestation ...... 10

EL ESTOR, GUATEMALA: mining ...... 10

NUNAVUT TERRITORY, CANADA: resource extraction ...... 11

WESTERN MADAGASCAR: community health and conservation ...... 11

Conclusions ...... 12

Further resources ...... 13

NGOs to consider supporting ...... 13

Literature and films ...... 15

References ...... 16

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Introduction

Addendum: COVID-19

This briefing delves into the links between gender inequality and environmental degradation, shedding light on the multitude of connections between these issues and calling for wider support for both causes. Although this briefing was written just prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, it is critical to acknowledge the pandemic’s disproportionate effect on women and girls, and the ways in which lockdown and social distancing policies have exacerbated inequalities for women1. Nahla Valji, the United Nations’ Senior Gender Advisor explained, “This pandemic is being layered on top of existing inequalities and it’s exacerbating those inequalities.”1

The global economic downturn, sparsely © Winnemem Wintu Tribe resourced and overwhelmed healthcare systems, vast unemployment, and increases in reports of The Environment domestic violence are just some of the ways in The environment affects every aspect of which COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting humanity around the globe, and humans women. are currently challenging the planet in Violence against women and girls has increased unprecedented ways. Resource extraction, by more than 25 per cent in several places around large-scale agriculture, development and the world, according to the United Nations. There consumerism have contributed towards the has been a disproportionate economic impact and loss of habitats and species, and the pollution health risk for women, who comprise a significant of air and sea. Environmental degradation portion of both the service and healthcare can be seen everywhere, and the effects of industries. Additionally, societal structures and climate change are now well documented and gendered divisions of labour historically have widespread. resulted in women acquiring the bulk of unpaid In 2017, NASA stated that “the current warming family and child care, which during times of trend is of particular significance because most lockdown have become even more consuming. of it is extremely likely (greater than 95 per cent While stay-at-home orders helped to flatten the probability) to be the result of human activity curve of the pandemic, it is crucial to acknowledge since the mid-20th century and proceeding at that such extreme circumstances are further a rate that is unprecedented over decades to endangering the social, mental and physical millennia.”2 health of women and girls around the globe. The disproportionate effects of the pandemic on women Collaborative, nation-wide responses are and girls parallel the gendered consequences required to combat global heating and the of environmental degradation discussed in this degradation of the planet.2 Recent key scientific briefing, and have further highlighted the essential reports have reinforced the urgent need roles women play in resilience movements globally. for action. The Intergovernmental Panel on

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Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Gender and the Environment Warming3 in October 2018 warned that there are only a dozen years for global warming to GENDERED APPROACHES TO THE be kept to a maximum of 1.5°C, beyond which ENVIRONMENT: HOW DO THE MOVEMENTS even half a degree will significantly worsen INTERSECT? the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and The gender justice movement – a movement poverty for hundreds of millions of people. striving to achieve equality amongst all genders It concluded that urgent and unprecedented – has long been concerned with issues of changes are needed to reach the 1.5°C target. the environment. What are some gendered The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform approaches to environmental issues? on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Global highlights the connection Report on Biodiversity4, published in May Ecofeminism 2019, estimated that up to one million species between human exploitation and domination currently face the threat of extinction: more of nature, and the exploitation and domination 5 than at any other point in human history. It of women. Ecofeminism works to reveal and advocated for transformative change if life on empower a symbolic connection between Earth is to be safeguarded and people are to women and the environment. It is often regarded continue to receive the services and benefits as controversial for its claim that women are that nature provides. universally, spiritually connected to nature. One popular idea that stemmed from the ecofeminist Project Drawdown, the research organisation movement is the broadening of the meaning of that reviews, analyses, and identifies the most ‘environment.’ Rather than just associating the viable global climate solutions (drawdown.org), environment with wilderness, national parks, states that if educating girls and family planning the outdoors, etc., ecofeminism encourages us to are combined, this becomes the #1 solution to think about the ways in which ‘environment’ is climate change: “Climate change is not gender much more personal, social, and closely related neutral. Due to existing inequalities, women to our everyday lives. Ecofeminists push us to and girls are disproportionately vulnerable to think of the environment as everything from the its impacts, from disease to natural disaster. At water we drink, to the clothes we wear and the the same time, women and girls are pivotal to food we consume. addressing global warming successfully—and to nuances humanity’s overall resilience.” Feminist Environmentalism ecofeminist theory by underscoring the need to There has never been a more urgent need for consider gender, race, and class simultaneously philanthropy to pave the way for a greener to properly appreciate how certain future. Philanthropy can be of more value communities are more likely to be affected by than just funding – it can be used to take systemic abuse and/or environmental issues risks, encourage diverse thought leadership, than others.6 Feminist environmentalism build solidarity, and provide long-term, looks at the gendered division of labour in unrestricted funding to support bold initiatives. relation to environmental impact. Women and Environmental philanthropy impacts more than children are disproportionately affected by just the environment – it can deliver benefits environmental challenges due to gendered for virtually every other social cause, such as divisions of labour, women’s duty to ensure gender equality, public health, poverty and food family health and survival, as well as massive security. Indeed, environmental degradation is discrepancies in access to resources, capital, often at the root of these human issues. employment opportunities, technology, food and medicine.

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Feminist environmentalism is an effective how these impacts align with structures of way to uncover and resist unequal access to oppression through race, class and gender. The resources, because it is a “theoretical perspective EJ movement has also recognised that women that locates both the symbolic and material frequently comprise the base and leadership links between people and the environment… of community-driven environmental activism. and traces gender and class differentiation in Women of colour and working-class women in these links to a given gender and class division the US represent 90% of the active membership of labour, property and power”.7 For example, of grassroots EJ organisations.9 There is a Carolyn Sachs’ work looks at the gendered unique role of women of colour in the EJ impact of the large-scale agricultural system movement; environmental crises caused by in the US. She explains how the transition industry concern women because of their from family to large-scale farms has degraded connection to health, safety, family survival women’s empowerment in rural areas. Women and community well-being. For example, in the seldom gain economic power as agricultural case study regarding mountain-top removal enterprises expand, leading to very few women in West Virginia (see below), the first people holding positions of power in the industry. Such to become aware of the industry’s impact systems exacerbate class, ethnic and racial were local women who noticed a change in differences and privileges in rural areas, often the colour of their water while drawing a bath relying on the cheap labour of working-class for their children.10 For these local women, people of racial and ethnic minorities.7 activism began as a response to a threat to their home and health of their children and Environmental Justice (EJ) centers around family. Therefore it is these women who hold the belief that all people should have equal the unique knowledge to be able to properly access to clean air and water, healthy food, combat environmental atrocities in their outdoor spaces and safe, non-toxic, pollutant- community and beyond. free homes and neighbourhoods. EJ advocates continue to challenge the negative impacts of industrial production and environmental degradation, highlighting the disproportionate effect on people of colour in both rural and urban areas. EJ uses the term ‘environmental racism’ to underscore the racial discrimination in environmental policymaking, regulations, laws etc. and the deliberate targeting of communities of colour for toxic waste disposal, and siting of polluting industries. Cynthia Hamilton explains the unequal burdens of industrial production: “minority communities shoulder a disproportionately high share of the burden for housing the by-products of industrial development…these communities are also asked to house the waste and pollution no longer acceptable in white communities”.8

As a theoretical and political intervention, EJ exposes the social costs and environmental ills of industrial society by highlighting © Oxfam GB

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VULNERABILITY OF WOMEN The IPCC defines vulnerability to climate change as the propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected by climatic risks and other stressors.11,12 This vulnerability is socially differentiated, emerging from the intersection of inequalities and uneven power structures. Vulnerability is found to be higher amongst certain demographics and communities including women, children, the elderly, people living with disabilities, ethnic and racial © Global Citizen minorities, and Indigenous populations. These (town, city, broader community), maintaining demographics often face deeper climate impacts a career. Within the home, women are seen as and significant barriers to adapting to such primarily responsible for unpaid domestic labour, climate effects due to intersecting structures of including the procurement of water. Domestic oppression (e.g. poverty, racial discrimination, labour includes cleaning, cooking, child-rearing 13 gender oppression etc.). and tending home gardens for food consumption. By examining the specific and unique With water scarcity, women spend more time on challenges faced by girls and young women water procurement, facing the double burden in these communities – often also of low of being primary household caretakers and socioeconomic status and racial minorities – it is agricultural labourers (both requiring significant possible to demonstrate the urgency of gender- amounts of water). sensitive and child-centered adaptation policies, programmes and financing. This includes VULNERABILITY OF CHILDREN meaningful participation of girls and women Children also suffer disproportionately from the throughout decision-making processes. impacts of climate change. The IPCC predicts that climate change could increase the number Agricultural livelihoods are a critical source of of undernourished children under the age of income in rural areas in many countries around five to 20 – 25 million (about 17 – 22%) by 2050.14 the world. For example, water is a pivotal natural Climate change is expected to increase water resource for agricultural livelihood, although the insecurity through drought and unpredictable resources differ greatly among men and women. rains. Therefore when food availability is Differential access is rooted in prevailing power reduced, children become at greater risk of structures, societal norms, and the gendered going hungry and being impacted by associated division of labour. Generally, men hold decision- health risks.15 In small-scale agricultural contexts making powers and rights to water access.13 (e.g. Northern Thailand), women and girls are at Literature shows that women in rural areas, greater risk for climate-induced heat stress due particularly those in poverty and from ethnic to the gendered division of labour. Time spent minorities, face disproportionate water insecurity by girls on agricultural tasks has been linked to compared to rural men and people in urban a rise in school absenteeism and early drop-out. areas due to overlapping sources of vulnerability Climate-related risks such as floods, droughts, and marginalisation.11,12,13 In a patriarchal society, storms, water insecurity, inadequate sanitation women are often relegated to the ‘private sphere’ and poor hygiene render children at higher (the home and local community), whereas men risk (compared to adults) of illness, injury, and are more likely to work in the ‘public sphere’ psycho-social trauma..

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Case Studies

The following case studies highlight the intersections between the environmental and women’s movements. They demonstrate the power of women’s resistance to environmental degradation around the globe, and that supporting environmental initiatives, especially those aimed at reducing climate change or mitigating its effects, have a disproportionately positive effect on women and girls.

NORTHERN THAILAND: Water Insecurity

In 2018, Plan International – a global non- profit organisation advocating for children’s rights and equality for girls – released a comprehensive report that examines the effects of climate change in Thailand from an intersectional, gendered approach. In particular, the report sheds light on the specific climate change challenges faced by young women and girls in Northern Thailand, “whose experiences are not only influenced by age and gender, but also by poverty, legal status, ethnicity, language, and education.”13 According to the report, Southeast Asia is a regional hotspot for the impacts of climate © Plan International change. Massive populations depend on evidence suggests that climate change is seasonal rains for water and food security, likely to compound girls’ and women’s pre- and underlying drivers of vulnerability such existing vulnerabilities such as poverty, limited as “high rates of poverty and inequality, access to education and knowledge, food and unplanned and rapid urbanisation, and nutritional insecurity, and water inaccessibility unsustainable use of natural resources” in Northern Thailand. Migration is often a short- render communities in Northern Thailand term solution to the effects of climate change. particularly vulnerable to the effects of However this also comes with its own set of climate change.13 Plan International notes the vulnerabilities and risks for girls and women severe impacts already faced by Thailand. For specifically. For example, some girls in Thailand example, between 1955 and 2009 the average are required to bring their siblings with them annual temperatures increased by 0.95°C, to school because there is no one to watch causing rainfall patterns to severely fluctuate. them at home. This compromises their ability Additionally, Thailand has been significantly to focus on their own education and learning affected by climate-related disasters including in the classroom. Furthermore, migration of months-long flooding in 2011, and widespread parents can lead to damaging child protection drought in 2015-16.13 issues, such as leaving girls to live with relatives, The report by Plan International analyses neighbours or friends, potentially exposing the disproportionate impact of climate them to risky living situations in which they are change on young girls and women. Growing subject to domestic and/or sexual abuse.13

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The report notes that while this research is sensitive educational programmes that support well-established, it also narrowly depicts girls girls’ understanding of climate change and and women as passive beings without agency, the steps they can take to manage these risks. overlooking structural factors shaping their The report suggests empowering women and experiences as well as moments of resistance girls towards leadership in climate action, and empowerment. To nuance this narrative, supporting sustainable livelihood that builds Plan International offers recommendations their resilience, ensuring social safety systems for targeted action on climate change that during migration, and actively including builds the resilience of girls and women. Their women and girls in natural and water resource recommendations include designing gender- planning.13

WEST VIRGINIA, THE UNITED STATES: Mountain Top Removal

Joyce Barry’s book, Standing Our Ground, first recognised the effects of MTR on the discusses the harmful consequences of community’s health and safety. Barry notes Mountain Top Removal (MTR) in the Appalachia one anecdote in which a mother draws a bath region, and the women-led anti-MTR movement for her child, only to notice the colour of the that fights against it. Barry’s research examines water was yellowed, which signalled to her that local Appalachian women’s efforts to end MTR something was wrong. Over time, as more and and promote the development of alternative more examples of MTR’s impacts surfaced, the energy resources. Throughout her research movement grew. The anti-MTR movement, led Barry explains the anti-MTR movement’s by local women, fights against the coal industry’s relevance to the broader Environmental Justice impact on the environment, climate change, (EJ) movement. She critiques global capitalism and the health and safety of their community. and pleads for scholarly focus on how women Barry’s research underscores the severe, are disproportionately affected by the health disproportionate impacts of the coal industry problems caused by MTR.10 on women and children (because it’s most often women who are dealing with the environmental In her research, Barry highlights the unique impacts, health problems, premature deaths, positioning of women in the anti-MTR and birth defects that have been associated with movement. She describes how it was the local MTR), and demonstrates the unique positioning women, often responsible for homemaking of local women in the fight to end MTR.10 and childcare in the Appalachia region, that

© picryl.com / Lyntha Scott Eiler

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CHHATTISGARH, INDIA: Deforestation

In Chhattisgarh state, nearly half of the land is domestic violence. In early 2006 when the covered with forests that are essential to the state-owned Forest Development Corporation health, safety, livelihoods and culture of the of Chhattisgarh started felling mixed forests, Indigenous communities there. Tree felling the AAS was strong enough to provide – an element of logging – has increased in the resistance. The AAS highlighted the impact of past decades, with natural forests replaced by felling on the environment and biodiversity, teak plantations in the region. This case study noting the ecological gap that could not be highlights the resistance and struggles of the AAS, filled by planting a monocrop of teak trees. In an organisation of indigenous women whose conjunction with their fight for gender equity, mission is to fight for restoration of land and forest the women-led organisation argued that the rights. The study demonstrates the importance of forests are critical for the lives and well-being women’s organisations and the challenges they of Indigenous communities, and must not be face when advocating for resource justice.16 commercialised or tampered with. This case study underscores the unique knowledge of The AAS was formed in 2004, advocating for a local women, and acknowledges their activism variety of issues including anti-deforestation, as steps towards both women’s equality and health and food rights, gender equity, environmental sustainability.16 employment and education rights, and against

EL ESTOR, GUATEMALA: Mining

This study showcases the struggle against the the environment. 17 It also showcases the Fenix mine in El Estor, Guatemala, demonstrating effectiveness of women’s resistance strategies, that women are disproportionately affected which are rooted in the lived experiences by resource development, and that women’s of Indigenous women with a particular activism against mining is crucial to protect socioeconomic and historical context. One particularly severe impact of mining on the environment includes water insecurity and pollution. Local activist women recognised pollution of Lake Izabal, a major source of the area’s water supply, from the mine’s refinery. The health implications disproportionately impacted women and children, plaguing community members with hair loss, rashes, gastrointestinal problems, and an increase in birth deformities.17 Other women in the area linked the amount of water and electricity consumed by mining operations as having detrimental impacts on the availability of water and the price of electricity. This case study demonstrates women’s particular knowledge of the environmental and health implications of mining, due to the division of labour and women’s responsibilities in the home and local community. © Upside Down World / Heather Gies

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NUNAVUT TERRITORY, CANADA: Resource Extraction

This case study demonstrates the gendered environmental degradation impact Indigenous social impacts of resource extraction in populations, with women shouldering the Qamani’tuaq, Nunavut Territory, Canada, burden of intersecting discrimination and also specifically underscoring the impacts on the responsibility to resist it.18 Indigenous women and families.18 Since 1984, the organisation Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada has worked to promote the social, cultural, political and economic betterment of Inuit women and their families. The study shows the disproportionate effects of resource extraction – such as mining, forestry, and natural gas – on Inuit women’s livelihoods. Their report shows how high rates of violence, unemployment, harassment and © VSD

WESTERN MADAGASCAR: Community Health and Conservation

The organisation Blue Ventures develops to all four conservation sites along the island’s approaches for catalysing and sustaining locally west coast, serving more than 45,000 people led marine conservation. Some of Blue Ventures’ in Madagascar. The benefits of this programme achievements include creating the largest have been numerous. The proportion of women Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in the using contraceptives in Velondriake increased Indian Ocean, building sustainable aquaculture from 10% in 2007 to over 50% in 2016.19 Women businesses, and developing effective in coastal communities are also able to work and approaches for community health services earn more, experience greater food security and with marine conservation.19 Blue Ventures’ case better health, access maternal and child health studies on some of the world’s most isolated services, and focus on long-term community coastal communities suggest disparate effects priorities including conservation, sustainability, on women in under-served populations. Around and climate change resilience. a quarter of women in the regions where Blue Ventures works reported an unmet need for family planning and contraception. In response, Blue Ventures collaborated with respected local health partners to increase access to services and develop health advocacy initiatives tailored to address the needs expressed by coastal communities, with a particular focus on women. For example, their health programme in Madagascar (locally known as Safidy, which translates to ‘choice’) reflects their commitment to advancing reproductive rights of women in coastal communities. Ten years after inception, the Safidy programme now provides services

© Blue Ventures

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Conclusions

Osprey Orielle Lake, Co-Founder and Executive conservation in Western Madagascar, it is clear Director of the Women’s Earth and Climate from these case studies that to support one Action Network, once stated: “Women as a movement is to support both movements. constituency are a strategic, powerful, and Women and children are disproportionately beautiful force that is often not recognized, affected by environmental challenges such as supported, or mobilized into action – despite climate change, due to gendered divisions of clear evidence that women are key to making labour, women’s duty to ensure family health the societal, economical, political, and and survival, as well as massive discrepancies ecological changes we so desperately need. in access to resources, capital, education, These points of leverage need to be recognized employment opportunities, technology, food, and acted upon.”20 water and medicine. Funding environmental The case studies in this report demonstrate and climate change projects is an effective the inextricable link between gender and way to improve gender equality and the the environment, highlighting women’s opportunities available to women and girls, resistance to environmental degradation whilst helping to tackle the most pressing around the globe. From water insecurity in challenges facing the human race today. Northern Thailand to reproductive health and

© The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International

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Further resources

NGOs to consider supporting The Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action (GAGGA) is a multi-actor network There are many impactful environmental NGOs that supports local movements fighting for operating in the UK and globally as well as many women’s rights and environmental justice. charities focussed on directly relevant social GAGGA collaborates with and provides issues – including the issues touched upon in this funding support to national, regional and paper. This list provides examples of organisations global funds and organisations in more than specifically working at the nexus of women and 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, environment. Please note that no due diligence Asia and Europe. has been conducted by EFN on the organisations gaggaalliance.org listed below.

Asian Pacific Environmental Network ENERGIA – International Network on Gender (APEN): Focused on Asian and Pacific Islander and Sustainable Energy: An organisation whose communities, APEN brings together a collective vision is that women and men have equal and voice to develop an alternative agenda for equitable access to and control over sustainable environmental, social and economic justice. energy services as an essential human right to apen4ej.org development. energia.org Blue Ventures: Develops transformative approaches for catalysing and sustaining locally FRIDA – Young Feminist Fund: FRIDA provides led marine conservation and community health young feminist organisers with the resources they programmes. need to amplify their voices and bring attention to blueventures.org the social justice issues they care about. youngfeministfund.org Center for Diversity and the Environment (CDE): CDE harnesses the power of racial Gender and Disaster Network (GDN): An and ethnic diversity to transform the US educational and advocacy project initiated by environmental movement. women and men interested in gender relations in cdeinspires.org disaster contexts. gdnonline.org Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CEHJ): CEHJ has been on the front line in the Gender and Water Alliance (GWA): The mission fight for environmental health for nearly 40 of GWA is to promote women’s and men’s years, training local activists to advocate for the equitable access to and management of safe and environment through local, state and national adequate water, for domestic supply, sanitation, initiatives in the US. food security and environmental sustainability. chej.org genderandwater.org

Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment GenderCC – Women for Climate Justice: A global (CRPE): An organisation whose mission is to network of organisations, experts and activists achieve environmental justice and healthy, working for gender equality, women’s rights and sustainable communities through collective climate justice. action and law. gendercc.net crpe-ej.org

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Global Greengrants Fund: A charitable Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF): foundation making small grants to grassroots An international non-profit network dedicated to a environmental causes worldwide. These funds gender just and healthy planet for all, consisting of are used to support community-based groups over 150 women’s and civil society organisations advocating for issues of environmental justice, implementing projects in 50 countries. sustainability, and conservation. wecf.org greengrants.org Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network Got Green: An organisation focused on food (WECAN): An international, climate justice- access, empowering young environmental based initiative that unites women worldwide as leaders and battling climate injustice in all forms. critical forces for ecological and social justice. gotgreenseattle.org wecaninternational.org

Greenaction: A multi-racial grassroots Women’s Environment & Development organisation working with low-income and Organization (WEDO): A global women’s working-class urban, rural, and Indigenous advocacy organisation fighting for a just world communities to fight environmental racism and that promotes and protects human rights, injustice. gender equality, and the environment. greenaction.org wedo.org

Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN): Women’s Environment Network (WEN): WEN An alliance of Indigenous Peoples whose works on issues that connect gender, health and shared mission is to protect the earth from the environment through campaigning and local contamination and exploitation. grassroots actions. ienearth.org wen.org.uk

Plan International: A development and Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture humanitarian organisation that progresses and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN): children’s rights and equality for girls. A women-led international membership plan-international.org network of women and men professionals and women’s associations. Run 4 Salmon: Lead by the Winnemem Wintu wocan.org Chief Caleen Sisk, Run 4 Salmon is a collective of Indigenous women bringing attention to the WoMin African Alliance: An African gender state of the waterways, fish and Indigenous ways and extractives alliance which works alongside of life in California. national and regional movements and popular run4salmon.org organisations of women, mining-impacted communities and peasants, and in partnership Treesisters: Aims to rapidly accelerate tropical with other sympathetic organisations. reforestation by inspiring and channelling womin.org.za women’s nature-based feminine leadership into local and global action. treesisters.org

Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights: A feminist fund that protects, strengthens and sustains women and transgender human rights defenders at critical moments. urgentactionfund.org

© Got Green

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Literature and films The Guardian series ‘The Defenders’: Philanthropy Field Guide: Climate Change and Showcases some of the most prominent Conservation, J.P. Morgan Private Bank: This environmental activists, and the dangers they explores the interconnectedness of our lives have faced trying to protect the planet. and the environment, and delves into trends, theguardian.com/environment/series/the-defenders new innovations and the many ways in which environmental issues are addressed. TED Talks (the Environment): A collection of greenfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ TED Talks on the topic of environment, justice, J.P.-Morgan-Private-Bank-Philanthropy-Field- sustainability, and climate change. Guide-Climate-Change-and-Conservation.pdf ted.com/topics/environment Jessica Merino’s “Women Speak: Bringing TEDWomen 2018: Katherine Wilkinson on how empowering women and girls can help stop Gender to the Forefront in Environmental A comprehensive global warming. Justice” in Ms. Magazine: article highlighting how women are ted.com/talks/katharine_wilkinson_how_ disproportionately affected by climate change empowering_women_and_girls_can_help_stop_ and environmental injustice. global_warming msmagazine.com/2017/11/01/welcoming-the- Maquilapolis (2006): Film that demonstrates launch-of-women-speak massive factories owned by the world’s A blend of largest multinational corporations, and the Susan Steingraber’s Raising Elijah: precise science with lyrical memoir, Steingraber environmental impact on local communities in writes from the point of view of a biologist, Mexico. Highlights the activist work of women cancer survivor, and mother, examining the taking on both the US and Mexican governments. toxins and climate-threatened world in which pbs.org/pov/maquilapolis/ she raises her children. Women’s Environmental Action, Global Joyce M. Barry’s Standing Our Ground: Greengrants Fund: Publications on women Mountaintop removal coal mining is one of and environmental justice from a charitable the most significant environmental threats in foundation making small grants to grassroots Appalachia. Barry highlights the activist work of environmental causes worldwide. These funds local women, fighting to protect their home and are used to support community-based groups habitat. advocating for issues of environmental justice, sustainability and conservation. Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed: A Memoir: greengrants.org/what-we-do/womens- Maathai recounts her life story including environmental-action/ establishing a vital environmental movement in rural Kenya, focused on empowering women, Philanthropy Field Guide: Women and Girls, that spread across Africa. Maathai fought to save J.P. Morgan Private Bank: A philanthropy Kenya’s forests and preserve democracy to her guide that explores the levers that drive beloved country. progress towards gender equality and provides a framework for understanding the types of Mary Robinson’s Climate Justice: Hope, programmes that make a difference in the lives Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable of women and girls. Future: Robinson relates the lived experiences greenfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ of people, including herself, whose encounters Philanthropy-Field-Guide-Women-and-Girls- with the real impact of climate change have JPMorgan-Philanthropy-Centre.pdf driven them to action.

15 WOMEN & THE ENVIRONMENT

References

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