Category: Environment

This Mother Earth Day, Let’s Follow the Lead of Indigenous People for a More Symbiotic Relationship With Nature

A shift to the Indigenous perspectives, values and knowledge—one that prioritizes a harmonious relationship with the natural world—can inspire real, impactful and equitable action on the climate and conservation. While Indigenous Peoples and local communities account for just 5 percent of the world’s population, they own or manage at least 25 percent of the world’s land surface, 40 percent of protected areas, and steward an astounding 80 percent of biodiversity on earth.

Indigenous people have historically practiced land management and conservation methods that scientists now say are crucial for tackling the climate crisis and enriching biodiversity. As we celebrate International Mother Earth Day, we’d be wise to let Indigenous People and their intergenerational and holistic understanding of the natural world guide us in protecting and replenishing nature.

‘Silent Spring’: How Rachel Carson Took on the Chemical Industry and Captured the World’s Attention

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On Sept. 27, 1962, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring and founded the modern environmental movement.

Following World War II, the United Stated embarked on a love affair with chemicals. When Carson published Silent Spring at 55, she was dying from breast cancer. Her book alerted the world to the dangers of the toxic chemicals that may have caused her disease. Carson died on April 14, 1964, at 56, never knowing to what extent her work would be vindicated or glimpsing its long-term impact.

The Sustainable Climate Future Belongs to Women

The world cannot address the biggest crisis facing humanity without the full inclusion of women’s voices, work and wisdom. This starts by investing in women-led climate projects.

Our sisters on the frontlines of the climate crisis are doing all they can to protect our Mother Earth. What they need from us and the world is to support and acknowledge their efforts and ensure that their voices are at the front and center of decision-making tables about climate action.

This Earth Day, Celebrate 20 Environmental Justice Organizations Bringing the Outside to Us All

Ms. celebrates Earth Day by featuring the work of a diverse body of activists who have founded groups that aim to make outdoor spaces, pursuits and environmental activism welcoming and safe for all.

From organizations that focus on women and girls, people of color, the queer community, the formerly incarcerated, children from economically challenged families, veterans and those who are disabled, here are 20 groups you might enjoy joining or supporting as we work towards such a future.

Women Displaced by Climate Change Are Telling Us What They Need. It’s Past Time for Us To Listen.

Women and girls account for 80 percent of the people displaced by climate change. In Somalia, laws that limit women’s abilities to own assets mean they have less access to economic opportunities and tend to depend more on natural resources for their livelihoods, which makes them more vulnerable to displacement.

Once women are displaced, not only do they have to survive, they have to care for their families, all while evading the heightened risk of violence.

It’s Not Nice to Mess With Mother Nature: Ecofeminism 101 (Jan/Feb 1989)

From the January/February 1989 issue of Ms. magazine:

“One of the most interesting (and least reported on) developments of the last few years has been the integration of feminist and ecological concerns. … In an ecofeminist society, no one would have power over anyone else, because there would be an understanding that we’re all part of the interconnected web of life.”

Girl Scout Thin Mints Are Putting Our Planet on Thin Ice

In an effort to squeeze profits from cookie sales, the Girl Scouts national headquarters has opted for cheap ingredients, cheap packaging and cheap prizes to incentivize sales. The real cost of these decisions comes at a high price—and in the end, we will all pay for the environmental damages.

The unsustainable choices of today’s Cookie Program undermine the purpose of a beloved, long-standing American custom.

Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation: U.N. Report Shows How Far We Are From Gender Equality; the Intersection of Gender Parity and Climate Change

Weekend Reading for Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation. 

This week: a new U.N. report warns it will take 300 years to achieve gender equality at the current rate of progress; the need to fast track gender parity as a climate solution; Burlington, Vty., expands its use of ranked-choice voting; and more.