Mother Nature, Animals and Feminism

All of us, including plants, microbes, animals, and humans, are part of a common environment. All of us are interdependent through various mineral or nutrient cycles as well as the other ecological cycles, often connected through food chains and food webs. Elements like land, water, and air are significant abiotic parts of the natural system and are essential for our survival. Many individuals, particularly capitalists, however, unfortunately exploit resources and animals rather than using them judiciously and living harmoniously with the nature. 

Climate Change

The idea that greenhouse emissions can change Earth's temperature dates back to the 1800s. Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius developed the first comprehensive theory in 1896, using mathematical calculations to link increased carbon dioxide emission levels, especially during the Industrial Revolution, with temperature changes on Earth.

Joseph Fourier, a French physicist, in 1824, introduced the the concept of atmospheric heat retention, comparing the planet Earth to a "greenhouse."

With advancements in technology, particularly the usage of satellite imagery in the 1950s and 1960s, evidence about climate change became more evident. In the year 1988, a testimony by James Hansen to the U.S. Congress brought the issue of climate change to the public domain bringing attention.

At present, you do not even need deep scientific analysis to understand the threat of climate change. It is all over the news and social media, and even in our daily lives: pollution, heat waves, droughts, rising sea levels due to melting glaciers, and disasters like floods. Who could possibly have a problem with awareness on climate change then? Ideally, no one, because climate change knows no boundaries, no good or evil. It affects everyone. But billionaires and capitalists, blinded by money, usually call it a hoax, giving unproven and unscientific statements. They do so because adapting, what we term as "green practices", will be costly to them. But what can we expect when the current President of the United States, Donald Trump, says the same thing in favour of his billionaire friends? He even left the Paris Climate Agreement and gave contracts to the oil companies, ones having a major contribution in the carbon footprint.

Climate Change: A Threat Multiplier for Women

Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, called climate change a "threat multiplier for women and girls" in a 2022 report to the General Assembly. Other experts, such as Sherri Goodman, a former deputy undersecretary of defense, have used the same phrase, along with the UN Women. 

This seems to be an absurd claim on the surface, but it has a lot of depth. There is a strong correlation between domestic violence and climate change, with higher instances occurring during extreme heat waves. But correlation is not equivalent to causation; what's the link here? Well, health and economic insecurity are some of the obvious outcomes due to climate change particularly in rural areas due to droughts, leading to frustration. Women become easy targets of violence in such areas as a result.

In Africa, particularly in Central, Eastern (Horn of Africa), and Southwestern regions, droughts and food insecurity and floods make women and girls seen as burdens. Girls are discouraged from going to schools too and are often married and sold off at an early age. It does not take rocket science to comprehend that child marriage is a form of child abuse.

The structural disadvantages against women create more pressure to take care of family under extreme poverty created by climate change. Sometimes, women are forced to travel long distances to fetch water because of droughts in surrounding areas, even when sick, because it is seen as a "woman's job." If a man does it, he is mocked for it and his honour becomes more important than his wife's health. Women, moreoever, have limited decision making power, hence their ability to respond to calamities is hindered. Moreover, the health impacts on women are severe. There is high risk of malnutrition and lack of access to healthcare. Pregnant women are more at risk during heatwaves and air pollution, which is dangerous for both mother and child.

In the Beed district, Maharashtra, India, a disgusting and sickening case surfaced in 2019. The district is drought prone and requires labor in sugarcane farms. There is a significant number of female migrant workers for the same. They were forced to undergo unnecessary hysterectomy to stop their menstrual cycle and a potential pregnancy, so that no woman skips work. There were strict penalties for even a day's leave there.

Yes, this is not the 19th century. This is the story of the 21st century. Climate change intersecting with capitalism and patriarchy is this bad for women!

The Animal Industry

Animals are one of the most beautiful creations of evolution. Some might believe they are creations of "God." Nevertheless, animal exploitation is not a rare phenomenon within capitalist structures. But how does this affect women? Well, it is not about human women in this case, but the entire animal industry thrives on the exploitation of the female reproductive system.

Let us take the example of the cow milk and beef industry. Yes, milk is extracted from the udder of a cow, a harmless process on the surface. But what happens inside the deep corners is horrific. Bull sperm is collected through an artificial vagina, a process which mimics mating, or through electroejaculation, a method that uses mild electrical pulses to stimulate ejaculation. Weird... The sperm is then used for artificial insemination inside the cow's reproductive system to produce off-springs. It’s a non-consensual act, forced reproduction under industrial conditions! Disturbingly familiar isn't it? The resulting calves are separated from their mother within hours to maximize milk production for commercial use. The male calves are raised for meat, while the female ones are raised for milk. The industry views animals as commodities. Countries like India, have different scenarios because of the spiritual significance of cows, however, a few stories of exploitation have surfaced. Similar stories exist for chickens, eggs, pigs, lambs, and other animals within the capitalist animal industry, depending on the type of product.

Veganism and Eco Feminism

Veganism means not consuming animal meat or products and relying on plant based products for a balanced diet. Vegans view the animal industry to be oppressive and a form of exploitation towards animals, for reasons obvious by now. But are plants not living? Yes they are, but unlike animals, they lack a nervous system, hence they do not feel pain or emotions. Moreover, we need something to survive. Eco feminism, a branch which stems out of radical environmentalism and radical feminism, argues that man is the enemy of nature. Patriarchal societies and institutions built around male needs result in exploitation of the environment. Radical environmentalists, in general, believe that humans are equal to all the components of environment and are strictly against the industry built around viewing animals as a commodity. They push for more egalitarian societies to create a balance in the nature. Vandana Shiva and Carol J. Adams are some of the most prominent eco-feminists.

Final Thoughts

The exploitation of nature and the exploitation of women stem from the same patriarchal mindset that views both as resources to be controlled and consumed. Climate change disproportionately harms women, yet their voices are often excluded from climate policy decisions. Animal agriculture exploits female reproductive systems, mirroring how patriarchy seeks to control women's bodies. These are not separate issues but interconnected forms of domination. Real progress requires dismantling the systems that commodify both nature and women. Whether you choose veganism or not, consciousness about our impact matters. The fight for gender equality cannot be separated from the fight for environmental justice.