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