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How Is Climate Change Affecting Women in West Africa?
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JerseyGrrrl
09/18/09

In reply to How Is Climate Change Affecting Women in West Africa?
For anyone interested in this kind of connection, definitely try Kenyan activist (and Nobel Prize winner) Wangari Maathai's The Challenge for Africa. She explains in clear, general language the connection between the environment and the economy, and how women and the poor are most affected. She gives examples from her own country as well as other African nations and its worth looking at. I know I've recommended it before, but it's because I believe in it :)
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Blueberry26
09/18/09

In reply to How Is Climate Change Affecting Women in West Africa?
Unfortunately, climate change does and will disproportionately affect people in lower rungs of society, in less developed countries, and in already iffy climates. As in, the people who already get the short end of the stick will be even more screwed. We saw why in Hurricane Katrina. Those with ample resources were able to leave before it got too bad. Those who didn't were stuck, and then after they lost everything along with everyone else were less able to recoup.
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euterpe35
09/18/09

In reply to How Is Climate Change Affecting Women in West Africa?
Well of course we have to try to reign in climate change as much as possible and adapt where we can't make a fix.

Humans are fairly resilient and good at adapting when necessary.

Unfortunately, when change happens too fast for us to keep up with, people will suffer and/or die.

I don't imagine "women's work" will be redefined in these countries any time soon (or soon enough to make a difference). So, hopefully the issues at hand can be addressed in practical ways.

My off-the-cuff suggestions:
For long treks to get water and wood: Irrigation and water delivery systems built and maintained. Alternative fuel use.

For educational disadvantages - schools for girls and women only, with alternate hours of attendance, and perhaps location closer to women's gathering places.
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NellMood
09/18/09

In reply to How Is Climate Change Affecting Women in West Africa?
I think it's really important that we keep talking about climate change on a global scale. The cars we drive, the plastic bags we use, the water bottles we buy and toss in the trash- these things affect everyone.
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Laulau
09/18/09

@NellMood: Though as someone who buys so strongly into all of that (e.g. I'm 29 and have never owned a car, and generally I just walk places vs the bus, I'm a vegetarian, etc), I also recognize that I'm lucky to have the chance to make those choices. I couldn't be carless in Wyoming, or carry my reusable bags with me everywhere if I were also trying to handle a few kids and all of their stuff.
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NellMood
09/18/09

@Laulau: Absolutely- it's a huge luxury to have the opportunity of choosing a low-impact lifestyle. I do think it's important that we try, though. It's not hard to keep a few reusable bags in your purse or in the diaper bag, and it's much cheaper to buy a reusable water bottle than to buy plastic ones every day. People just need to start incorporating these things into their daily habits.
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willwriteforfood
09/18/09

In reply to How Is Climate Change Affecting Women in West Africa?
This is my answer the next time some idiot says to me, "If global warming is real, how come I need a sweater today?" Stupid gits. Let me introduce you to a little concept we call science...
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Maritsa
09/18/09

@willwriteforfood: A former co-worker once said, on a warm March day, "If this is global warming, I'll take it." LOL FUNNIEZ!!!
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linnyt is a walking cliché
09/18/09

@willwriteforfood: that idiot would be my father. it's a regualar argument around his house. he doesn't want to understand that it is 'global climate change'- not exactly global warming.
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boobookitteh
09/18/09

@Maritsa: it'll be hilarious when fresh water supplies dwindle and the seas rise!
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willwriteforfood
09/18/09

@linnyt is a walking cliché: I know, right? I once went to a Rotary Club meeting where the speaker (a power company exec) ran through the litany of denial: Warm weather is nice! It snowed this year, what's this global warming crap?

I wanted to stand up and say, "what part of GLOBAL warming do you not get? It is the average temperature of the WORLD that is warming, not this city's temperature at 2pm this afternoon, you jackass. What, are you going to wait until your Florida beachfront property is 10 feet underwater before you realize this is for real?"
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Maritsa
09/18/09

@boobookitteh: Whatever, then he can go swimming in the ocean - in Ohio! Wooo!!
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