The U.S. ranks as the 19th most dangerous country for women, 11th in maternal mortality, 30th in closing the gender pay gap, 75th in women’s political representation, and painfully lacks paid family leave and equal access to health care. But Ms. has always understood: Feminist movements around the world hold answers to some of the U.S.’s most intractable problems. Ms. Global is taking note of feminists worldwide.
Category: Environment
Kitchen Sinks, Carbon Sinks and Restorative Economics
Because we’ve been burning carbon for 200 years, we’ve sourced too much of it into the atmosphere in the form of CO2. The planet is warming, weather’s disruptive, and species are falling like dominoes. Dr. Sabine O’Hara, a distinguished economist, tells Ms. how restorative economics could make a difference as we rebuild.
Don’t Blame Babies (or Their Mothers) for Climate Change
A spate of recent articles notes that, rather than an anticipated COVID-19 baby boom, demographers are predicting a “baby bust.” One such article in this magazine argues that this is a good thing—for the climate, the environment, and women’s empowerment.
Not so fast.
The Infuriating Case of Toxic Chemicals in Breast Milk
The first study in 15 years to analyze per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in breast milk from mothers in the United States indicates that both legacy and current-use PFAS now contaminate breast milk, exposing nursing infants.
We can no longer position worried moms as the front line of defense between their child’s health and the chemical industry. We need a government that regulates chemicals.
Indigenous Women Lead the Movement to Stop Line 3 Pipeline: “This is Everything We Have”
For the past seven years, Indigenous organizations, primarily led by women, and allied environmental groups have taken every route possible to stop Canadian oil company Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline project.
Meet 11 remarkable Indigenous Water Protectors who are on the frontlines fighting to stop Line 3 and protect their communities and homelands.
‘Water, Water Everywhere and Not a Drop to Drink’: How Water Pollution Affects Our Health—From Disrupted Hormones to Lead Poisoning
Biden’s proposed infrastructure bill takes some important steps toward greater water safety, replacing lead pipes. He’ll have to overcome calls for budget cuts, but will he also confront our Pentagon and our water infrastructure’s reliance on unsafe or untested chemicals? Our children’s safety and our future—not corporate profit or government cost—must come first.
Linking Reproductive Rights and Climate Solutions Is the Only Way Forward
As the pandemic has brought our world’s climate and health crises into sharp relief, the time is ripe to include women’s reproductive rights as part of our climate solutions toolbox.
Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation: Feminist Climate Activists Sound the Alarm
Weekend Reading for Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation.
This week: Remembering Rachel Carson’s seminal work “Silent Spring,” published in 1962; the new generation of environmental leaders; the Climate Clock says we still have time left to address climate change; climate advisor Gina McCarthy on climate change’s connection to race and gender; a breakdown of all the women nominated for Oscars; and more.
What Earth Day Means to Women Facing Violence Around the World
From planting to protesting, women are at the frontlines of the fight against food insecurity. Many are participating in Rising Gardens, a mass action through which women are planting community gardens.
This Earth Week, Let’s Put Care at the Center of Climate Action
The Feminist Green New Deal Coalition (the FemGND, for short) is a broad coalition of organizations and individuals in the US working towards climate, gender, racial, economic and reproductive justice and who together advocate an intersectional feminist response to the climate crisis. According to the FemGND, care infrastructure is the place to start for climate action.