Feminism and Climate Change

Keynote Addresses by Majora Carter and Joni Seager.

Already among the most vulnerable populations worldwide, women and other marginalized groups have been the most acutely affected by the instabilities propagated by climate change. Issues such as water scarcity, drought, and other environmental problems threaten the world’s food supply, making it more difficult for disadvantaged groups to obtain the basic necessities of life. Increased temperatures and more intense weather patterns raise the likelihood of illness and disease, especially among the poor. Diminishing resources, known to increase conflict and war, are leading to greater numbers of “climate refugees” and displaced people. In all of these situations, women and racial minorities are disproportionately affected by the dangers that climate change poses to our world. Looking at these issues in a wide variety of contexts, our distinguished panelists and keynote speakers will share the challenges and complexities of working within multiple justice movements, including movements for environmental, racial and gender justice. How does social exploitation parallel environmental exploitation in regional and global contexts? How can diverse affected groups find common ground? The 2010 Scholar and Feminist Conference on feminism and climate change will bring together a wide array of pioneering environmental activists, artists and scholars who have focused on the gender, race and class components of global climate change.

Keynote speakers will be Majora Carter, environmental justice activist and president of the Majora Carter Group, a “green” economic consulting firm; and Joni Seager, scholar and activist in feminist geography and global environmental policy, and Chair, Global Studies Department at Bentley University.