A study confirms: Women are the most affected by climate change

2023-12-26 2023-12-26T20:53:07Z

Weather of Arabia - The human relationship with the environment is considered a reciprocal and influential relationship, as humans are affected by the environment and in turn influence it. Over recent decades, this relationship has undergone fundamental changes resulting from intense human activity, which has led to greater circulation of natural resources and the use of technology that has caused adverse environmental impacts.

The effects of this human influence are beginning to appear clearly in environmental phenomena such as global warming and climate changes. Rising global temperatures and changes in weather patterns have become serious challenges to the environment and life on Earth.

Excessive consumption of natural resources and air and water pollution as a result of human industrial activities and transportation are examples of how humans affect the environment. These impacts lead to loss of biodiversity, deteriorating air and water quality, accelerated ice melting and rising sea levels.

A study confirms that women are most affected by climate change

Human lives in general, and women's lives in particular, have been greatly affected by climate change and global warming. A United Nations study showed that women suffer more from the dangers of climate change and global warming than men.

Several studies issued by UN bodies and organizations concerned with the status of women confirm that women are more affected by the risks of climate change as a result of their role in society and the family, and their great interest in their personal hygiene, which requires consuming more water, the lack of which may lead to them contracting multiple diseases, especially during menstrual periods. And childbirth. Studies also show that women die 14 times more than men in disaster situations such as fires, storms, hurricanes and floods, where they demonstrate their inability to survive. Reproductive health is added to this list, as climate change causes an increase in the rate of premature births and leads to the birth of small fetuses, thus threatening the development of the fetus’s brain and increasing the chances of sudden death.

Women in North Africa are not immune to problems caused by climate disasters, whether they are floods (Libya and Algeria), drought and fires (Tunisia) or earthquakes and fires (Morocco). These conditions cause negative economic, health and social impacts.

Women's vulnerability to the consequences of climate change: causes

Climate change expert, Amal Jarad, confirms that women suffer greatly and disproportionately from the effects of climate change and environmental disturbances. It indicates that natural disasters, such as the “Daniel” storm in Libya, have resulted in significant human losses, claiming the lives of more than 5,000 people, causing the displacement of many people and leaving thousands in a difficult situation. She stresses that women and children are most affected, due to their lack of training in survival procedures and their difficulty in accessing resources and information compared to men.

Jarad also highlights the impact of rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves on women, especially at older ages. Women working in the natural resource sector, such as agriculture, are affected by drought and scarcity of water resources, which reduces the agricultural income of rural women farmers and increases their suffering and household burdens. In these harsh climate conditions, they are forced to work harder to ensure their means of livelihood and the security of their families, making them particularly vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.

The expert stresses that women are not just victims of climate change, but women can have traditional knowledge and can work effectively to promote adaptation and mitigation methods. She points out that women can collect and store water, preserve and conserve food, and manage natural resources, which are skills traditionally acquired by women.

In a related context, the speaker shows that there are more women active in organizations committed to protecting the environment and combating climate change. They pledge to change their consumption behavior to meet climate challenges. The expert expresses her regret at the limited presence of these committed women in decision-making positions related to climate change.

Environmental engineer and climate expert, Hamdi Hashad, believes that high temperatures and humidity are one of the reasons for the emergence of the Corona virus. He stresses that climate changes have become an important factor in the emergence of viral and respiratory diseases, contributing to their rapid spread and acquisition of resistance to antibiotics and antivirals.

The environmental expert believes that the prevailing culture in some societies deprives women of inheritance rights and thus does not grant them the economic empowerment that would enable them to confront the effects of climate change. He emphasizes that climate change is not gender discrimination, but rather policies that lead to inequality between women and men in this context.

Women's vulnerability to the consequences of climate change: solutions

Regarding solutions that can reduce the effects of the climate crisis, environmental engineer and climate expert, Hamdi Hashad, confirms that legislation in Tunisia exists, but the challenge lies in transferring this legislation from the legal framework to the executive framework and turning them into practical reality. It indicates that although there are legal protections, frameworks and guidelines, there is a lack of technical resources to enable the implementation of this law.

The engineer emphasizes that the state must give importance to implementing laws to support women, especially vulnerable groups, and promote economic empowerment. It also stresses the importance of investing in education and awareness about climate change, as this can reduce the risks facing women in the context of the climate crisis.

Consequences of climate changes on women's health

The climate crisis has greatly affected human skin health, with dermatologists recording an increase in skin diseases in recent years, which are linked to the consequences of climate change such as psoriasis, eczema and lupus, which can cause skin rashes. They also warn that skin cancer can be affected by changes in climate, and its prevalence may increase in the future because of it.

Dr. Rabab Bouzian, a beauty specialist, confirms that global warming negatively affects the skin’s natural barrier, which is considered the first protector to protect the skin from harmful effects. Among the effects of climate change, we find dry and cracked skin, the appearance of signs of premature aging, pimples, and eczema.

Dr. Bozian points out that the weakness of the skin's natural barrier makes it more vulnerable to the dangers of ultraviolet rays, which leads to a decrease in its immunity and the premature appearance of signs of aging by more than 80%.

As for solutions, people, especially women, are advised to take precautions such as using sunscreen, wearing heat-resistant clothing, and hydrating well.