Men, Women and Climate Change

This is the first in a series on climate change issues, especially as they relate to the Caribbean and the tropics. There is so much to say, to try to explain and to understand about climate change. But I agree with this recent observation by Barbara Walker, co-owner of Hotel Mockingbird Hill, a Jamaican eco-resort: “Climate change is the defining issue of the 21st century.” If we don’t face up to it, our survival on this Planet, even relatively short-term, is in doubt. I am not going to be alarmist, however. I plan to let you know about some developments in the region – and efforts to adapt to this reality. Because adapt we must. Change we must. And NOW.

Deputy Principal of UWI Mona Campus Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa browses through the publication.

On June 11, I attended the launch of a publication at the University of the West Indies. This was not your average, run-of-the-mill book launch, however. This was one of a series of Working Papers produced by UWI’s Institute for Gender and Development Studies’ Mona Campus Unit in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (Jamaica and the Caribbean) – FES. Number 7 in the series, entitled “Gender, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management,” offers a youth perspective.

The authors are former undergraduate (BSc) students, who were registered for the course of that name in the 2011/12 academic year. You can find the publication online here: library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/fescaribe/10711.pdf and you can also find it in the National Library of Jamaica’s marvelous collection – do visit their website at http://www.nlj.gov.jm

Recent IGDS students who contributed to the publication listen to a colleague presenting on gender and climate change.

Climate Change Division head Albert Daley says it’s a reality. FES’ Judith Wedderburn listens.

Both FES’ Judith Wedderburn and Director of the Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change Albert Daley reminded us, at the outset, of the fact that climate change has arrived. Without urgent and concerted action will only get worse. We know this. For example, the rise in sea levels globally has accelerated over the past twenty years. Recent studies note a possible rise of up to two meters by the end of the century.

Mr. Daley stressed the Government’s aims: to mainstream climate change in its planning; to work in collaboration with UWI Mona’s Climate Change Group to collate data and make it available; and to increase the level of awareness through public education. Does knowledge of climate change affect behavior and decision-making? Mr. Daley asked. I believe the answer is “Yes.”

Could this happen by the end of the century?

Deputy Principal of UWI Mona Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa was very pleased with Mr. Daley’s participation and welcomed this “openness” among academics and government technocrats, wryly observing that this was not always “standard practice” in the past. This degree of collaboration, he said, is clearly “the right thing to do.” One hopes it will continue at all levels, and it only makes sense to encourage what Professor Kahwa called a “seamless flow” of information, in both directions – for the good of all.

IGDS Mona Unit head Dr. Leith Dunn expressed pride in her students’ work.

Men and women are exposed differently to the hazards of climate change, noted IGDS Head and Senior Lecturer Dr. Leith Dunn. For example, she noted Sheldon Gray’s analysis of the varying susceptibilities of men and women to mosquito infections in Portmore, St. Catherine (which is somewhat notorious for its mosquitoes, as it is built on wetland).

Kimberly Carr: Rural women are vulnerable, but banks prefer to lend to men.

We know many of Jamaica’s farmers are women; in rural areas, they are often the food providers. Kimberly Carr referred to an IGDS study of women in Mt. Friendship, in Golden Spring, St. Andrew. 75% of these women, more than half of them heads of households, said they would not be able to survive for more than three months if there was a natural disaster or other sudden emergency. They are vulnerable, but Jamaica’s PC banks are more likely to lend to men, Ms. Carr noted.

 

Kevon Kerr makes his presentation on issues affecting men and women in coastal areas. Seated are Judith Wedderburn of FES and Sheldon Gray, who discussed mosquito control and health issues in Portmore, St. Catherine from a gender perspective.

Kevon Kerr suggested that women living in coastal areas are more vulnerable to the possible impact of climate change. Think about it: they have children (and possibly an elderly person or two) to look after and are likely to be less mobile than men. However, a 2002 World Health Organization report (“Gender and Health in Disasters”) noted women are more risk-aware, more likely to prepare. They take natural disaster more seriously. But men living in coastal areas are also at risk – especially those whose livelihoods depend on the sea.

Coreen Stephens: There is much more work to be done to see that the needs of men and women in natural disasters are met.

Coreen Stephens found that social class is a major factor in the way that men and women adapt to climate change. She referred to Linnette Vassell’s important research on the impact of climate change (particularly related to water and sanitation), in Somerset, St. Thomas. Men and women often share responsibilities in times of natural disaster, or even switch roles. Collecting water, crossing flooded rivers, negotiating damaged roads and getting the children safely to school… So many challenges, and certainly some danger.

Women collecting water from a community standpipe in Clarke’s Hill, St. Andrew. (Photo: Gleaner)

Water has been very much on our minds during this period of extended drought (the last major drought was in 2010). Another contributor, Tesi Scott, notes that in many communities women and children are responsible for collecting water. By extension, the health of the household will clearly be a priority for women. Government agencies, Ms. Scott suggests, should take a more gender-sensitive approach to public education on drought-related matters, focusing on the safe collection and storage of water, for example.

Anna-Kay Rowe (right) presents a copy of the book to Panos Caribbean’s Indi McLymont-Lafayette.

Among those receiving a copy of the publication was Regional Director of Community, Media and Environment at Panos Caribbean Indi McLymont-Lafayette. She urged those present to share and discuss the students’ findings on social media. The Jamaican public must and should be included, she said. Panos is particularly focused on climate change and I will be writing more about this soon.

Judith Wedderburn of FES commented on the importance of the publication – and not only as an example of the students’ excellent and ground-breaking work. The book “has direct and practical connections to parts of people’s lives,” she said.

Because this is not an academic theory. This is, indeed, people’s lives. Both men’s and women’s lives, right now.