Women Who Break Barriers Make the World Better

Worrying about climate change is not just about saving pandas — it’s about protecting people. The climate crisis is not merely an environmental issue; it is a human crisis that threatens our survival. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and resource scarcity disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, with women among the most affected.

Looking at climate change through a gendered lens is crucial for two reasons. First, women bear the brunt of climate disasters, facing higher mortality rates and economic insecurity. Second, women’s leadership and expertise offer key solutions — yet they remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces. Addressing these disparities is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential for building a more effective and just response to the crisis.

To understand the impact of climate change on women — and their power to drive change — let’s look at the stories of three remarkable women from different backgrounds who took action.

Esi Buobasa: Empowering Women in Ghana’s Fishing Communities

You are Esi Buobasa, a fishmonger in Ghana, living happily with your husband and children, making a living from the sea. Like 200,000 other people, you depend on artisanal fishing for your livelihood. But as wealthier nations continue to emit greenhouse gases, your coastal village faces worsening erosion and frequent flooding. The ocean that once sustained your family now forces you to move inland, taking away both your home and your source of income.

Finding work is difficult, and you struggle to provide for your family. Over time, you come to realize how deeply climate change impacts women, especially those without the resources or skills to recover from displacement. But you refuse to accept this crisis as inevitable.

Determined to take action, you create an association to support other women in the fishing industry who are facing similar challenges. The group provides job training and new economic opportunities, helping women rebuild their lives. Over 100 members meet weekly to discuss the effects of climate change on their industry. The association also runs a resistance fund, to which all members contribute every Tuesday, offering financial support to families in need. 

Sophia Kianni: Breaking the Language Barrier in Climate Education

You are Sophia Kianni, a 12-year-old girl staring up at the night sky in Iran, searching for stars—only to find them hidden by pollution. You know something must be done. As you learn more about climate change, you realize that many of your Iranian relatives have little access to reliable information on the subject because most resources are available only in English, Spanish, or Chinese. Women, in particular, face additional barriers due to limited educational opportunities, making it even harder for them to engage with climate issues.

But again, this is not inevitable. Determined to reduce the language barrier, you take action by founding Climate Cardinals, a youth-led nonprofit that mobilizes over 10,000 volunteers to translate climate information into more than 100 languages. Your efforts make climate education more accessible to communities worldwide. 

Eventually, you become the youngest UN advisor in U.S. history, representing both America and the Middle East.

Christiana Figueres: Leading Global Climate Policy

You are Christiana Figueres, a woman who embodies both the challenges and opportunities women face in politics. As the daughter of a former President of Costa Rica, you have access to privileges that make entering the political sphere easier. Yet, even with this background, you find yourself one of the few women in high-level climate negotiations.

Your leadership proves transformative, most notably in guiding the negotiations that led to the 2015 Paris Agreement. Your success is a powerful reminder that women belong at the decision-making table.

However, your story also highlights the reality that even for those born into favorable circumstances, breaking into politics remains an uphill battle. Not every daughter of a president becomes a global leader. If it was difficult for you, it is even harder for women from less privileged backgrounds. Your case illustrates how gender intersects with other social and economic factors, shaping who gets a seat at the table and who is left out.

Women Are Not Just Victims — They Are Leaders

Whatever your real name is, you can also be part of the change. The women in these stories did not have superpowers; they simply made a choice to act. You can too. And beyond overcoming their own obstacles, they are actively working to lower barriers for others, ensuring that more women can step up and lead.

Solving climate change is not just about cutting emissions; it requires transforming the systems that created the crisis in the first place. That means rethinking power structures, addressing inequalities, and ensuring that the voices of those most affected — especially women — are at the center of decision-making.

Women are already leading climate action worldwide, despite the obstacles they face. It is up to the rest of society to support them — not just with words, but with real action. The fight for climate justice is not just about saving the planet; it is about protecting people. And if we are serious about finding lasting solutions, women must be at the heart of them.

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