Women at the forefront of the fight against climate change

Welcome back to Way to Zero Waste, this past March 8th, we celebrated International Women's Day. In today's post, we want to pay tribute to all those women who are or have been at the forefront of the fight for climate change.

We are surrounded by great references that allow us to open our eyes and undertake a new vision of our planet and get the necessary information to reflect on our habits and the ecological footprint we leave in this world.

We want to share with you the women who have inspired us the most and who have received the most recognition:

JANE GOODALL

Celebrated English primatologist who revolutionized science through her innovative methods and fascinating discoveries about the behavior of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania.

Her aim was to achieve the conservation and protection of wildlife while exposing the roots of human behavior and culture.

He has published more than 26 books, countless scientific articles, and more than 20 film and television productions. Her work has been fundamental not only to disseminate knowledge about chimpanzees and other species, but also to generate empathy and strengthen their protection and that of their ecosystems, making critical and approaching us to reflect on our own species and promote a more sustainable lifestyle in our societies. She has been considered one of the most influential women scientists of the 20th century.

We recommend, among others, the Netflix documentary dedicated to her "Jane", a biographical work of art where we travel with her to Gombe and show us her trajectory with chimpanzees.

CHERYL HOLDER

Physician and professor at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University. She is noted for her work with HIV and on the health impact associated with climate change. She is president of the Florida State Medical Association and co-chair of Florida Clinicians for Climate Action, where she works to increase climate literacy and improve awareness of the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations.

Cheryl Holder asserts that excessively high temperatures, disease-carrying mosquitoes and climate-driven gentrification are a threat to people with pre-existing health conditions. She proposes effective ways for physicians to protect their patients from weather-related health difficulties. It also urges medical, political and other professionals to build a health care system that brings together economic and social justice.

"Poor and vulnerable people are already suffering from the effects of climate change."

We recommend his TED talk: The connection between climate change, health and poverty.

GRETA THUNBERG

As many will already know, Greta is an environmental activist of Swedish origin who, at only 18 years old, has reached millions of people with her speech against climate change. She started camping every week in front of the Swedish parliament to ask the national authorities to sign a commitment to the environment. The success of the proposal was incredible and the young woman began a new path to a future full of media, news and press appearances around the world. These vows evolved and expanded globally, and are what we know as Fridays For Future.

His second big step was to craft a speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2018. At this event she delivered a well-known speech in front of the most powerful people around the world.

Greta has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, for her fight against climate change and her Fridays For Future initiative.

This coming March 19, 2021 is the date chosen to take to the streets again to call for climate emergency around the world.