Why ignoring women endangers the climate | International Women's Day 2025

Mar 6, 2025

In this enlightening conversation, climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech University, explores why women hold the key to tackling the climate crisis. She discusses systemic barriers faced by women in STEM and highlights her work with Science Moms, emphasizing the crisis's impact on children. Katharine also shares how her evangelical faith intersects with her climate advocacy, advocating for love and unity as essential forces for climate justice. Together, they delve into the importance of diverse voices in driving effective climate solutions.

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ANECDOTE

Origins of International Women's Day

International Women's Day has a rich history, originating in 1909 in New York.
In 1917, Russian women's strikes for "bread and peace" inadvertently sparked the February Revolution.

INSIGHT

Need for Female Leadership

Women are largely absent from positions of power where international affairs are handled.
Female leadership is crucial for solving complex global problems.

INSIGHT

Barriers for Women in STEM

Many barriers prevent women from entering and staying in STEM, despite their capabilities.
Diverse perspectives in science lead to better solutions, making women's involvement crucial.

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Are women the key to solving the climate crisis? Why are they - and children - so disproportionately affected by the issue? And how can men step up to support change?

To mark International Women’s Day, Christiana Figueres is joined by top climate scientist Dr Katharine Hayhoe.

As well as being Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair at Texas Tech University, Katharine is an influential voice in communicating science at the ‘kitchen table’ level. She and Christiana reflect on the barriers women face in STEM roles, Katharine’s work with Science Moms highlights the impact of the crisis on children and the power of women in conversations about the climate.

Women make up just over a third of STEM professionals in the United States and only a quarter of earth science professors globally. In an era where diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being rolled back by President Donald Trump’s government, there’s never been a more urgent need for diverse voices in science. Leading data scientist Hannah Ritchie asks how we communicate in this new landscape.

Plus, Katharine shares how her Evangelical Christian faith fuels—rather than conflicts with—her climate work, as she and Christiana they celebrate how love can be the driving force for all genders to unite for climate justice.

Together with Christiana, co-hosts Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson reflect on why diverse perspectives lead to better solutions and ask how men can support greater gender equality in STEM. Throughout, we hear from incredible women worldwide with inspiring messages for International Women’s Day. From Pat Mitchell and her work on Project Dandelion to Natalie Isaacs of 1 Million Women - plus a rallying cry from Fabian Dattner of Homeward Bound.

Learn more

📺 Watch the Science Moms campaign ad broadcast during the Superbowl

🗣️ Read the Science Moms guide on how to talk about climate change with friends, family, or strangers

🤩 Be inspired by Katharine Hayhoe’s TED Talk

📩 And check out our newsletter!

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Producer: Jarek Zaba

Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan

Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford

Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas

This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network.

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