The overlooked influence of women in environmental advocacy

In recognition of IDWGS, we’re taking a look back at the influential women in science who’ve had a lasting impact on environmental advocacy

Kamelija Milosev

by Kamelija Milosev

Environmental degradation and climate change are two of the biggest predicaments humankind has ever faced (and been simultaneously responsible for). The urgency of these issues requires all voices to be heard and accounted for in the decision-making process. Unfortunately, women — who are often on the front lines of environmental degradation — are still largely underrepresented in environmental policy and action on the ground.

According to data from the Global Gender Gap Report, in 2024, women held 27% of legislative seats around the world. This disparity is particularly acute in the environmental sector, where women only held 12% of ministerial positions responsible for energy, natural resources and chemicals, fuels and mining.

In a classic twist of irony, however, studies have shown that the presence of women in political decision-making translates into more ambitious climate goals and policies. For example, a study of European Parliament legislators over two legislative cycles found that while male and female legislators expressed similar concern for the environment, women were significantly more likely to support environmental legislation. Similar results were found during the review of 1.2 million UK house of commons interventions and 500,000 interventions in the US House of Representatives, which revealed that women of all political parties spent more time than their male counterparts addressing environment-related topics.

Luckily, despite the limited or restricted access to positions of legislative power, women have still found ways to contribute to environmental policy. In fact, throughout history, women have played a pivotal yet often overlooked role in advancing environmental and chemical advocacy — be it through the establishment of grassroots organizations, protesting and activism, academic research or fearless journalism.

In this article, Enhesa Chemical Subject Matter Expert, Kamelija Milosev commemorates International Day of Women and Girls in Science by looking back at just a few of the many contributions women have made to environmentalism throughout time.

(It must be noted that this list is by no means exhaustive and only presents a small fraction of women’s documented achievements in the field of environmentalism.)

19th Century

Marie Curie was a Polish-born French pioneering physicist and chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to science, particularly in the fields of radioactivity and nuclear physics as she discovered the elements of polonium and radium. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields. She died aged 66 from aplastic anemia, believed to have been contracted from her long-term exposure to radiation. Her death played a significant role in raising awareness about the dangers of radiation and the need for safety measures and protective policy — as the damaging effects of ionizing radiation were sadly not yet known at the time of her work.

 

Frances Power Cobbe was an Irish writer, social reformer, and pioneering feminist known for her advocacy in a range of social issues, including animal rights, women’s rights, and human welfare. She was one of the earliest campaigners for animal protection, founding the Victoria Street Society, which later became the National Anti-Vivisection Society, in 1875. The organization campaigned for laws to regulate vivisection. Cobbe was also an influential voice in the women’s suffrage movement and fought for women’s education and legal rights, challenging the prevailing social norms of her time.

 

Alice Hamilton was an American physician, research scientist, and author — and the first expert in occupational health. As a leading researcher on industrial toxicology, Hamilton conducted groundbreaking studies on the harmful effects of industrial chemicals and unsafe working conditions, particularly in factories and mines. Her work contributed to the development of health and safety regulations that improved conditions for workers. As a professor at Harvard University, she became the first female faculty member in the Harvard Medical School’s Department of Industrial Medicine. After her retirement from Harvard in 1935, Hamilton went on to serve as a medical consultant to the US Division of Labor Standards. Hamilton’s advocacy and scientific contributions played a critical role in shaping the field of occupational health policy and promoting safer, more humane working environments.

20th Century

Rachel Carson was a pioneering American marine biologist and conservationist, best known for her groundbreaking book Silent Spring (1962), which exposed the dangers of pesticides and their harmful impact on the environment. Her work helped spark the modern environmental movement, raising public awareness about the need for environmental protection and the responsible use of chemicals. Carson’s advocacy led to significant changes in US policies, including the eventual ban of the pesticide DDT and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

Vandana Shiva is a renowned Indian environmental activist, scholar, and author, known for her significant contributions to promoting sustainability, biodiversity, and social justice. She has been a leading advocate for organic farming, seed sovereignty, and the protection of indigenous knowledge against corporate control. Shiva’s work has been pivotal in challenging industrial agriculture and the exploitation of natural resources. Through her organization, Navdanya, she’s promoted grassroots efforts to protect ecological diversity and empower local communities since 1991.

 

Ruth Hubbard was an Austrian-born American pioneering biologist, feminist, and science advocate, renowned for her work in challenging the intersection of science, ethics, and social justice. As one of the first female professors at Harvard University, she became a prominent voice in critiquing the ethical implications of scientific advancements, particularly in areas like biotechnology and reproductive rights. Hubbard was instrumental in advocating for gender equality in science and in questioning the risks of genetic engineering and environmental hazards.

 

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist, best known for founding the Green Belt Movement — an initiative focused on tree planting, environmental conservation, and women’s empowerment. As the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, Maathai was recognized for her tireless efforts to address environmental degradation and promote sustainable development. Since the movement’s founding in 1977, more than 51 million trees have been planted and 30,000 women trained in trades that help them earn a living while protecting their lands.

 

Frances Moore Lappé is an influential American author and social activist, best known for her groundbreaking book Diet for a Small Planet (1971), which challenged conventional views on food production and consumption while advocating for sustainable and ethical diets. Lappé has been a prominent voice in the fight against hunger and environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for equitable food systems and the importance of plant-based diets in reducing resource consumption. As the co-founder of the organization Food First, she’s worked to promote food justice, sustainable agriculture, and human rights.

 

Berta Cáceres was a courageous Honduran environmental and indigenous rights activist, renowned by her leadership in the fight against harmful hydropower projects that threatened the land and livelihood of the Lenca people. As the founder of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), Cáceres worked tirelessly to protect the environment and advocate for indigenous communities’ rights. Her efforts focused on defending rivers, forests, and the cultural heritage of marginalized groups against corporate exploitation. Cáceres’ advocacy ultimately led to her becoming a victim of assassination in 2016.

 

Milya Kabirova is a Russian environmental activist known for her pivotal role in raising awareness about the dangers of radiation contamination and exposure, particularly in regions affected by the legacy of Soviet-era nuclear testing. In 1995 she was the first person to start a lawsuit in order to get recognition of her and her family’s diseases linked to radiation and to get compensation from the Mayak nuclear plant. In 1999, Kabirova founded the NGO ‘Aigul’, focusing on protecting the civil rights of people who have been exposed to radiation, promoting an ecological way of thinking, eliminating nuclear arms production and usage, and promoting public participation in shaping state policy and laws.

21st Century

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who’s become a global symbol for climate action. She gained international attention in 2018 for starting the “Fridays for Future” school strike movement, which inspired millions of young people worldwide to demand stronger action on climate change. Thunberg has addressed major international forums, including the United Nations and the European Parliament, where she’s called for urgent steps to reduce carbon emissions and tackle the climate crisis. In 2019, she became the youngest-ever Time Person of the Year, in addition to winning the Right Livelihood Award and Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award.

 

Karen Christiana Figueres Olsen is a Costa Rican diplomat and environmentalist best known for her role as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 2010 to 2016, where she played a pivotal role in the success of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Figueres is widely recognized for her efforts to unite countries in the fight against climate change, advocating for bold international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to shape global climate policy.

 

Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim is a Chadian environmental activist and advocate for indigenous rights, particularly known for her work at the intersection of climate change and indigenous knowledge. As a member of the Mbororo pastoralist community, she’s been a strong voice for the inclusion of indigenous peoples in global climate discussions. Ibrahim has worked extensively to highlight the importance of traditional ecological knowledge in sustainable environmental practices. She’s represented indigenous communities at major international platforms, including the United Nations, and has been recognized for her efforts to promote climate justice and resilience for vulnerable populations.

 

Khalida Bibi is a Pakistani environmental activist known for her work in advocating for sustainable development and environmental conservation, particularly in the context of rural and marginalized communities. She’s one of 33 laureates who received the Prize for Women’s Creativity in Rural Life 2003 bestowed by the Women’s World Summit Foundation. Through her leadership and community-based projects, Bibi has helped to implement practical solutions for water conservation, agricultural sustainability, and climate resilience, ensuring local communities have the tools and knowledge to address environmental challenges. She grows both indigenous and hybrid varieties to test their productivity, and conserves only the best quality for distribution to other female farmers.

The environmental importance of women in science

As we continue to face pressing environmental challenges, it’s essential to acknowledge and elevate the contributions of women, whose leadership, expertise, and unique perspectives have long been instrumental in driving meaningful change. Similarly, it’s equally important to acknowledge the historical and ongoing gender inequalities that hinder female participation in this field and continue working towards a more equitable future for all.

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