Climate change, gender and natural disasters: Social differences and environment-related victimisation

Abstract

This chapter examines the issue of climate change, extreme events and natural disaster and the way in which gender relations place men and women differently at risk depending on the type and pace of an event and where it occurs. Using concrete examples from the literature, we explore some of the experiences of males and females, and of adults, youth and children in response to different events across the world. In the process, questions arise about the role of gender in shaping the perspectives, vulnerabilities and responses of different groups. Other issues raised include gender bias in the discourses surrounding climate change and environmental degradation, the significance of change and conflict as in gender relations, and the need for a repository of knowledge that is context-specific to location and type of event as well as respectful of the diverse gender landscapes of different communities of people around the world. The chapter concludes with a proposal to draw on the principles of crime prevention (factors influencing situational and opportunistic crimes) and the practice of horizon scanning (extrapolating what is currently known about gendered landscape of climate change and disaster to future events) to formulate contingency plans to mitigate potential environmental degradation, reduce crime and criminality during disasters and avert gendered victimisation.