Who’s Afraid of Climate, Equity, and Women?

After getting trained as Climate Reality Project leaders as part of Al Gore’s Climate Change movement, two National Wildlife Federation staff members in Seattle wanted to do more than just share Gore’s PowerPoint presentation. They also wanted to highlight that that the National Wildlife Federation is the education partner for both of Gore’s movies, “In Inconvenient Sequel” and “An Inconvenient Truth,” that there are many ways to address climate change, and that women play a critical role in this work.

Building on National Wildlife Federation’s skill as a convener, and the fact that women are more likely to believe climate change in real, we partnered with Washington Women Climate Action Now, and the Riveter, a co-working space for women in Seattle, to bring together a panel of five female experts on Climate and Gender Equity. On Oct. 12, over 120 people came to hear their words of advice, and take action.

Facilitated by Climate Solutions, Kimberly Larson, our five panelists included the following:

• Barbara Clabots, an interdisciplinary analyst in gender and the environment,
• Belinda Chin, Program Coordinator for Sustainable Operations, City of Seattle, and the founder of the Environmental Professionals of Color, a climate reality project leader,
• Patty Glick, National Wildlife Federation’s expert on climate change adaptation who’s worked on the issue of climate change for more than 25 years and a climate reality project leader,
• Amelia Marchand, a Water Regulatory Specialist for the Colville Confederated Tribes, a recent board member with NWF’s Washington State affiliate Conservation Northwest, and a climate reality project leader,
• Beth Doglio, Washington State Representative to the 22nd legislative district and campaign director for Climate Solutions new 100% Clean campaign.

The conversation was meaningful with panelists sharing ideas of how to make change (“run for office” said Beth Doglio), to how we can support each other as allies in this work. We learned that people are less likely to take tropical storms with female names seriously (Irma certainly proved them wrong!), and that women are more likely to believe climate change is real. All agreed on the need to make the world a better place for future generations.

Event attendees even created climate change Haikus, including this inspirational poem from participant Mariska Kecskes:

Rising tides, Storms, Fires

But we too, can rise, squall, and

Ignite Resistance

We know there’s interest across the nation to hold similar events. If you’d like more information or want to host a Climate Panel, NWF staff member Sharon London would be glad to talk with you and share the successes from Seattle.

Wondering what else you can do to fight climate change?   Sign up for our action alerts here, ensure you have certified your garden so wildlife can thrive in a rapidly changing world, and sign up your local school to become an eco-school,

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