Marie Michael Library

Population, climate change, and women's lives

Engelman, Robert; Mastny, Lisa (Ed.)

Population growth affects climate change and the need to adapt to it. Population is neither predetermined nor inevitable and despite its importance it is not often considered in relation to climate change policies. Population change should be viewed as one way of bringing women into equal standing with men. Women manage a range of decisions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These contributions can advance more quickly as women approach equality with men. This requires educating the public and policymakers about the real foundations of population change as well as improving women's status, maternal and child health and access to family planning services.  If this is achieved, the population dynamic will help sustain a supportive climate for humanity.