Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions that act like a blanket wrapped around the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures.

Women’s work, leadership, and contributions positively impact social, economic, and environmental progress. But we live in an unjust world where gender inequality remains pervasive and human rights, especially women’s human rights, are violated with impunity and effectively hold back women around the world. Despite a growing focus on gender at all levels, stark gender disparities remain, including unequal access to land, resources, opportunities, and decision-making power.

Gender transformative education includes the recognition of the unequal impacts of climate change on men and women, girls and boys and queer persons. Further, it teaches strategies to protect the rights of those who are particularly harmed by the multiple impacts of gender inequality and climate change.