Norgaard and York contend that gender equality significantly influences state environmentalism, especially concerning the ratification of environmental treaties. Their study examines the connection between women’s political representation and a state’s environmental actions, revealing that “nations with higher proportions of women in Parliament are more prone to ratify environmental treaties than are other nations” (p. 506). They highlight how traditional studies in environmental sociology have often overlooked gender issues, despite feminist theorists asserting a connection between the exploitation of both women and nature. By integrating feminist theory into environmental sociology, they seek to show that gender equality impacts not only individual attitudes toward the environment but also policy decisions at the national level.
The authors emphasize that feminist and ecofeminist viewpoints highlighted on structural inequalities that connect gender issues with environmental concerns. They point out how women have historically been mostly affected by environmental degradation due to “gendered divisions of labor, land, and other resources” (p. 507). Also, studies suggest that women typically show higher levels of concern for environmental matters than men do, viewing risks like nuclear energy and toxic waste as more severe. Ecofeminist theory also contends that “sexism and environmental degradation result from common social structural elements” (p. 510), implying that countries with higher levels of gender equality are more inclined to prioritize ecological protection as part of their broader goals for equity and sustainability.
Norgaard and York explore the relationship between gender equality and state environmentalism by analyzing women’s representation in national Parliaments alongside environmental treaty ratification. They utilize data from Roberts and Vásquez (2002) to create a scale reflecting state environmentalism, based on the ratification of 16 multilateral environmental treaties (p. 510). Their study accounts for various factors like GDP per capita, urbanization, political freedom, and global economic integration that might also affect state actions. Although they recognize challenges in measuring gender equality accurately, they claim that “the percentage of women in Parliament is a key indicator of a nation’s gender politics” (p. 511). The results demonstrate a strong correlation between gender equality and enhanced state environmental strategies, supporting the notion that greater female participation in government leads to more environmentally progressive policies.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Prime Minister Mia Mottley
Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley provide strong evidence for Norgaard and York’s claim that greater female political representation is associated with more robust environmental policies. Marin has emphasized Finland’s aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, incorporating climate action into national policymaking. She demonstrates how women leaders can drive progress in environmental matters. Mottley advocates for climate justice on behalf of small island nations, pushing for financial reforms to tackle the climate crisis while ensuring global equity considerations are reflected in environmental policies. These examples support Norgaard and York’s assertion that “nations with higher proportions of women in Parliament are more prone to ratify environmental treaties than other nations” indicating that women’s leadership plays a crucial role in shaping state-level environmental policy decisions.
Mottley and Marin both provide as examples of the ecofeminist perspective outlined in Norgaard and York’s study, which claims a link between gender equality and environmental responsibility. The authors note that “women’s social roles as caretakers in the home and community have drawn them into key roles in grassroots organizing efforts” (p. 507). This pattern is evident through Mottley’s advocacy for climate resilience and Marin’s dedication to systemic environmental reforms. Their leadership shows that when women assume political power, there is an increased likelihood of emphasizing environmental issues within national and international policies. These cases provide current evidence indicating that women’s representation in government leads to proactive environmental leadership beyond just treaty ratification.
The linked article’s study highlights that countries with higher gender equality often enforce stronger environmental policies and demonstrate a greater commitment to sustainability efforts. Adding this statistic to the website would be valuable, as it offers concrete numerical evidence supporting Norgaard and York’s assertion that women’s political power leads to more robust environmental policies. This link further shows the broader argument that gender equality in governance is not only a social justice issue but also an essential factor for advancing environmental sustainability.
https://www.unep.org/championsofearth/laureates/2021/mia-mottley
Environment, UN. “Mia Mottley.” Champions of the Earth, www.unep.org/championsofearth/laureates/2021/mia-mottley/.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/05/finland-prime-minister-tackle-climate-crisis/
World Economic Forum. “How Finland’s Prime Minister Wants to Tackle the Climate Crisis.” World Economic Forum, May 2021, https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/05/finland-prime-minister-tackle-climate-crisis/.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10540118/
Wray, B., Veidis, E. M., Flores, E. C., Phillips, A. A., Alani, O., & Barry, M. (2023). A call to action for gender equity in climate leadership. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 108(6), 1088–1092. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.22-0674