Effect of Climate change on society, culture, and gender

Climate change affects everyone, but it hits marginalized groups—like women and the poor—harder. In Bhutan, rural women often fetch water and grow crops. When there’s less rain or when floods damage fields, their work becomes harder.

For example, in parts of southern Bhutan, floods have damaged farms, leaving women with less food and income. During landslides or disasters, families may have to move, and women and children can be more at risk of harm or lack of support. Climate change makes these problems worse, so it's important to include women and vulnerable groups in planning for climate solutions.

Climate change has a significant impact on society, especially by making underprivileged people more vulnerable.

For example, climate-related issues like droughts and floods, which can result in shortages of food and water, frequently place the greatest burden on women living in rural regions. Women are mostly in charge of gathering water in nations like Ethiopia, and during dry spells, they have to go farther, which takes more time and effort. In addition to having an impact on their health, this also restricts their capacity to pursue economic or educational endeavors.

Additionally, climate change can lead to increased migration, as families are forced to leave their homes due to rising sea levels or extreme weather events. In such situations, women and children are particularly at risk of violence and exploitation during displacement. Overall, climate change exacerbates existing inequalities, making it crucial to address these issues in societal responses to environmental challenges.

Because it upends customs and lifestyles, climate change has a profound effect on culture. For instance, the livelihoods and cultural practices of numerous indigenous tribes depend on certain ecosystems. Inuit hunting methods in the Arctic are impacted by receding ice, endangering their food supplies and sense of cultural identity. In farming communities, crop failures due to shifting weather patterns can also force households to give up traditional farming practices. Generations of cultural knowledge may be undermined by this change. Communities may lose significant cultural customs and linkages to their history as they adjust to new circumstances, underscoring the necessity of protecting cultural identities in the face of climate change.