Environment, Sustainability & Energy

Gender is a leading factor for understanding the intersections of the environment, sustainability and energy. The poor (disproportionately women) are at a particular disadvantage from environmental degradation and lack of access to clean water and adequate, affordable energy. Women’s primary role in agricultural production, food preparation and water and fuel collection positions them as vital partners in building and implementing sound environmental policies. Investing in women is one of the most effective ways to advance sustainable development and fight global climate change. The diverse roles and needs of women must be recognized and addressed in programs ranging from rural development to green job creation and urban revitalization. Explore the resources listed below, including Related Categories links, or use the Keyword Search for more information.

VIOLENCE FORUM: Beyond Firewood

Submitted by ncrw on Fri, 12/19/2008 - 2:10pm

December 19, 2008 posted by Shyama Venkateswar

An op-ed just came across our desk that we wanted to share, as part of this week's Violence Forum here at TRD.  In a Boston Globe op-ed this week, Liv Ullmann, reminds us of the violence suffered by refugees in Darfur, Nepal, and Kenya.  Writes Ullmann:

For thousands of these impoverished women and girls, gathering firewood is more than a vital chore - it is often a matter of life and death. By doing what many of us achieve by simply turning on a stove, refugee women and girls regularly fall victim to rape, assault, theft, exploitation, and even murder... It's high time we get "beyond firewood" and explore alternative fuels and cutting-edge energy technologies, such as clean-burning fuels, fuel-efficient stoves, and solar cookers, Ullmann says.  We need to reduce women’s vulnerability to violence by investing in alternative sources of fuel that do not require women to travel long distances to collect firewood. 


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