International Women's Day - Celebrating our climate change-makers
Catastrophic flooding on the scale of what’s playing out in Queensland and NSW will become more likely as our planet warms, climate scientists warn. That’s why this year’s International Women’s Day theme - Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow – is so critical and so worthy of our full attention.
When climate-related disasters hit, the lives and livelihoods of women and girls are disproportionally affected. At the same time, women and girls have proven themselves to be fierce and effective change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation.
A 2019 study found that boosting women’s representation in national parliaments leads to the adoption of more stringent climate change policies, which results in lower emissions. And, a report for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights found that the participation of women in natural resource management is associated with better resource governance and conservation outcomes.
This International Women’s Day, the United Nations is calling for women to be at the heart of climate change action.
Women’s and girl’s full and equal participation in decision-making processes is a top priority in the fight against climate change. Without gender equality today, a sustainable, more equal future remains beyond our reach. – UN Women
Here at the University of Newcastle, we believe women should be at the heart of climate solutions as well – and I’m proud that we have so many female researchers tackling climate change, climate resilience and sustainability.
- Led by academic convenor Dr Tamara Bucher, our Doctoral Training Centre for Food and Agriculture has a strong focus on climate resilience and sustainability.
- Last year, coastal scientist Dr Hannah Power and electrochemist and engineer Dr Jessica Allen were named the University’s first-ever Superstars of STEM. Developed by Science & Technology Australia, the Superstars of STEM program aims to smash society’s gender assumptions about scientists and encourage girls and young women to aspire to STEM careers.
- Dr Sascha Fuller is the University of Newcastle’s Pacific Node Coordinator and recently co-authored United Nations’ factsheets on Marine Litter, Plastic Pollution and Human Rights.
- As a recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, Dr Julie McIntyre recently convened the Third International Wine Studies conference in California, which brought together researchers from six countries to share ideas and forge important collaborations about this important agricultural sector – one that is highly sensitive to the effects of climate change.
- Drs Emma Austin, Jane Rich and Tonelle Handley are part of a team that’s highlighting the need for better support farmers and their families affected by droughts – a climate-related event that can have devastating environmental, social and economic impacts.
- Dr Hedda Askland is examining deep-rooted forces that feed our sense of home, identity and belonging – and finding plenty of examples in our own backyard of people experiencing displacement as a result of environmental change.
- As one of our 2022 Women in Research Fellows, Dr Irene Perez-Lopez is exploring the challenges of adaptation and migration faced by coastal and delta cities in the face of the climate emergency.
This is, of course, only a small sample of our female climate change-makers.
I’m also proud of the many initiatives the University has in place to support these and other women looking to create new knowledge and new solutions to one of the most urgent challenges of our time.
Established in 2021, our Women on Boards program is a six-month initiative designed to upskill researchers to become effective board leaders who can influence positive change. Many of the participants have started applying for board positions, with Dr Tamara Bucher recently appointed to Regional Development Australia’s Central Coast Board.
Women are also part of a number of research centres dedicated to climate solutions, climate resilience and resource sustainability, including the Centre for Water Security and Environmental Sustainability, the Centre for Water, Climate and Land and the Asia Pacific Research Centre, just to name a few.
The link between gender, social equity and climate change is critical. So please join me – on your socials or in your personal and professional networks – in celebrating the many ways women and girls are tackling climate action. Let’s highlight their work, lift their voices and support their invaluable contributions. Our future may depend on it.
by Professor Zee Upton, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.