The Climate Question - Why does climate change hit women harder?

Download Why does climate change hit women harder?

Our changing climate affects all genders - with extreme weather events, heat, drought and flooding putting pressure on the lives and wellbeing of entire communities.

Yet the United Nations says that women and girls bear a disproportionate share of the burden and that by 2050, climate change may push up to 158 million more women and girls into poverty,16 million more than the total number of men and boys.

So why exactly are women and girls more affected by climate change? And how can we build a better future?

In this episode, Hosts Graihagh Jackson and Esme Stallard talk to Mary Robinson, former Chair of The Elders, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Envoy on Climate Change.

Producers: Graihagh Jackson, Diane Richardson and Grace Braddock
Sound Mix: Ben Andrews and Tom Brignell
Editor: Simon Watts

Picture Credit: Getty, Imtiyaz Shaikh/Anadolu Agency.

Published on Sunday, 8th November 2026.

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