Women are the victims of climate change – and the keys to climate action

As the nations of the world meet in Paris to address climate change, it is critical that women play a central role in these historic negotiations. Gender equality is central to effective climate action. The world cannot afford to neglect the needs of half the world’s population, nor ignore their talents and potential in innovating solutions. Structural and cultural disparities make women disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Women are more likely than men to die during and in the aftermath of natural disasters and climate change-related events. For the women who survive, many often lack legal…

 

COP21: Two Degrees Of Preparation

Forty thousand people have travelled across the world to try to secure a safe climate for our future. It was pretty incredible to arrive in Paris and walk through bustling crowds of thousands of delegates fighting for the same thing I am — an end to dangerous, toxic pollution and a safe world for my daughter to live in…

 

UN pilot project to address African disasters

THE United Nations Habitat Programme is piloting a new tool aimed at helping African cities adapt to natural disasters and challenges. Among the major challenges include high unemployment and violence, among other setbacks blamed on rapid urbanization. Making a presentation on urban resilience at the ongoing Africities Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, UN Habitat’s Luis Lopes said the global bloc was piloting the City Resilience Action Plan, aimed at preparing African cities that were mostly vulnerable to chronic stress and acute shocks…