Ecofeminism and Environmental Ethics: Concepts, Links & Relevance for Climate Justice

Environmental Ethics & Ecofeminism

🌱 Introduction

Climate change is not just an environmental issue — it's also a social and political one.
➤ Issues like patriarchy and capitalism cause both social injustice and environmental harm.
➤ This is where Ecofeminism and Environmental Ethics become important.

♀️ What is Ecofeminism?

Ecofeminism = Feminism + Environmentalism

Ecofeminism sees a deep connection between:

  • ➤ Oppression of women

  • ➤ Exploitation of nature

🔍 Core Ideas:

  1. Interconnected Oppression
    ➤ Both women & nature are oppressed under patriarchal and capitalist systems.

  2. Critique of Patriarchy
    ➤ Values like dominance, control, and aggression → destroy environment & harm women.

  3. Care and Cooperation
    ➤ Ecofeminism promotes values like care, sustainability, and community.

  4. Focus on Gender Justice
    ➤ Women (especially poor & rural women) suffer more due to climate change (e.g., food, water collection).

  5. Real-Life Example: India
    ➤ Shyam Sunder Paliwal’s work shows local ecofeminist approaches in action.

🌎 What is Environmental Ethics?

Environmental Ethics = Moral Philosophy about Nature

It studies the moral duties humans have toward the environment.

🔍 Key Concepts:

  1. Moral Responsibility
    ➤ We must act ethically towards plants, animals, ecosystems.

  2. Valuing Nature
    ➤ Nature is not just a "resource" — it has intrinsic value.

  3. Biocentric Ethics
    ➤ All living beings matter — not just humans.

  4. Holistic Thinking
    ➤ Everything is connected: humans, animals, plants, water, soil.

🔗 Relationship Between Ecofeminism & Environmental Ethics

Ecofeminism is a branch of environmental ethics.

It focuses on:

  • ➤ Gender equality

  • ➤ Equity in sharing burdens/benefits

  • ➤ Justice for the most affected (mainly women)

👩‍🌾 Climate Change Impacts on Women

⚠️ Why Women are More Vulnerable:

  • In poor countries, women gather food, water, fuel → harder during droughts & floods

  • Climate change increases their burden and reduces their safety

📌 CARE Report (2020):
➤ Women are "Evicted by Climate Change" — especially in developing countries.

🌏 Ethical and Justice-Based Approach

🌐 IPCC & Global Responsibility:

  • Humans are responsible for climate change.

  • We must change how we produce and consume.

Environmental Ethics says:
➤ We must act to protect future generations and the planet.
➤ Jonas' philosophy: responsibility includes changing economic systems.

👩‍🌿 Women as Leaders in Climate Action

“We women have been the forerunners for generations.” – Khadidjath Zimé Arouna

✊ Women’s Strengths:

  • Hold traditional knowledge

  • Lead local climate solutions

  • Build community resilience

  • Reduce emissions through everyday practices

🌸 Ecofeminism = Climate Justice

💡 Ecofeminist Principles:

  • Equity → Equal share of responsibilities & benefits

  • Nothing for us without us → Include affected people in decisions

  • Collective access → Share knowledge, power & resources

📢 Definition of Climate Justice (Mary Robinson Foundation):

"Linking human rights & development for a fair and just sharing of climate burdens and benefits."

✅ So, promoting ecofeminism = promoting climate justice

🏛️ Role of Policy & Institutions

To achieve climate justice, we need:

  • ➤ Democratic institutions that include women’s voices

  • ➤ Investment in female climate leaders & activists

  • ➤ Safe space for women to express ideas & lead action

🧠 Final Takeaway

Ecofeminism and Environmental Ethics are not abstract ideas.
They offer real tools for solving the climate crisis in a just, inclusive way

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