Men are more responsible for climate change than women, according to a report from Sweden's Environment Advisory Council. The report found that "women live more sustainably than men, leave a smaller ecological footprint and cause less climate change", in the words of author Gerd Johnsson-Latham. Breaking down the lifestyle and consumption patterns of men and women in both rich and poor countries, researchers investigated mobility, access to resources, and the ways that we spend money. The results are fascinating, and disconcerting. But why, exactly, would men be more to blame for climate change?
To get to the bottom of that question we have to understand that there is major worldwide inequality between the sexes. A look through any list of CEOs or politicians in any country in the world will bear out the fact that the power balance lies with the world's men. Worldwide, women are poorer than men, have less leisure time, less access to education and good jobs, and carry more than their fair share in caring for others. Each of these inequalities has an enviromental dimension.
Because men and women work differently, we have different energy needs. In many parts of the world women do not officially work, that is, they don't have paid jobs, although in practice they may work far harder than men. This may be childcare, or it may be small scale farming, gathering wood and water, cooking, cleaning, and household chores. In poorer countries where electricity is less common (only 5% of homes in sub-Saharan Africa have electricity), all these things will be done without power. These are also tasks that are most likely done around the home, so women have lower transport needs.
Meanwhile, the men have gone to work by car, bus, or train, meaning men use more transport, and spend all day in their offices, shops and factories, meaning men use more power. In Sweden, men are responsible for three quarters of all car travel. Worldwide, men use disproportionate shares of transport, energy and technology, and in so doing contribute more to climate change.
Obviously in many countries women do work and play a greater role in the economy, but there are still serious inequalities. There are more men in management, and often men are paid more than women in equal positions. Even in Sweden, which is relatively enlightened in this area, women's average salaries are lower than their male counterparts. In short, men are richer than women. Consequently, more money is spent by men, who have greater consumer access.
Alongside this, women have less leisure time, as they are more likely to be caring for others, whether that be children, relatives, or their partners. For many women childraising and other kinds of care are a necessity, whereas men often consider them to be 'women's work', and something that they can choose to engage with or not. So men eat out more, spend more on leisure activities and sport, consume more alcohol and tobacco, and are more likely to have environmentally irresponsible hobbies like cars and boats. With greater opportunities for consumption comes greater responsibility for climate change.
Although it will no doubt be used to add fuel to the feminist fire in some debates, Gerd Johnsson-Latham stays away from the easy 'all men are bastards' conclusion and instead calls for "out-of-the-box thinking that sees gender equality both as an objective in itself and as a means of achieving sustainable welfare." In that sense, the report confirms and reinforces something we know already - we need a holistic approach. Environmental issues are connected to social issues, gender issues, politics, equality and human rights. Effective action in the face of climate change requires us to engage and cooperate across a whole range of disciplines.
Read the report: A study on gender equality as a prerequisite for sustainable development. (1.3mb PDF)
