WOMEN have proven over the years that they are a force to be reckoned with in all spheres of life. Today, many women are actively involved in decision making as it relates to many world issues and they have certainly contributed significantly to the work of environmental activism and protection. The push for gender equality has contributed positively towards increased understanding and action in the environmental arena over the past few decades. In many parts of the developing world, women are in fact the most direct users of natural resources since they are responsible for gathering water and fuel and farming to provide for the family while the man provides shelter, food (from hunting) and protection. It is no wonder that women in these parts of the world have such close relationships with their environment. Any change in these resources in their environment will obviously affect daily life. It is from this dire need for caring for the environment that the movement of ‘ecofeminism’ has emerged. Ecofeminism is essentially a view on environmental ethics whereby the domination of women and the exploitation of the environment is seen as interlinked.

Heroines of the Environment
The impact some women have made on the way we view the environment and the actions that have been taken to help resolve some of these environmental problems is worth mentioning.
Rachel Carson wrote ‘Silent Springs’ in 1962 which highlighted man’s activities that were having negative effects on the natural environment which in turn resulted in man’s own demise. In essence, her work drew the much needed attention for man to be concerned about the environment – not only for the benefit of the plants and animals but even more so for the sake of mankind. She argued that industrial activities such as pesticides use would have severe and direct and in-direct effects on the environment which would in-turn sooner or later also affect us. Soon after her publication, studies showed that a chemical substance used as a pesticide, namely dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was directly linked to the decline in the American Bald Eagle population. DDT, when used for pest control, got into waterways and slowly worked its way up the food chain and as it did, became increasingly concentrated. This caused the thinning of the eagles’ egg hence their decline.
Another woman in more recent times who has played a significant role in helping to raise awareness for the environment and specifically for the fight against Climate Change is 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Awardee – Wangari Maathai. She is responsible for the rise of the Green Belt Movement in 1977. This movement’s aim was to plant trees in an effort to restore Kenya’s then already depleted rainforest. Wangari Maathai was notably also an active ecofeminist and so the movement also endeavoured to empower women through environmental activism. By 2005, 30 million trees had already been planted by the participants of the Green Belt Movement. Sadly, she died in late 2011 but not before seeing her idea becoming promoted at the global level. Today, the Green Belt Movement’s mission concept has been promoted by the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign where participants around the world are taking a lead in positive action for the environment.
Indeed, women of the past and present have taken bold steps to promote environmental action around the world. Today, women are holding more prestigious and powerful positions in society. They therefore have the opportunity to promote better environmental activism and secure a sustainable future for all. Remember though, even as an individual, your action counts. We encourage you to take action for the environment – rather than against it!

Treasure Hunt
Study the picture to find the many treasures hidden in the Forest. Search for the toucan, black spider monkey, howler monkey, yellow poison dart frog, humming bird, blue and yellow macaw, red macaw, tapir, orange heliconia, cockatoo, peacock, jaguar, iguana, blue morpho butterfly, pink flamingo, black panther and pink water lily. What other living treasure can you identify?
Remember to look closely – after all, you are in the Forest!

You can share ideas and questions by sending your letters to: ‘Our Earth, Our Environment’, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email eit.epaguyana@gmail.com