PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 20, 2025
Countries at the forefront climate policy—Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Iceland and Finland—also rank in the top quartile for the proportion of women who have served in government positions. I can’t say that these two statistics are directly correlated, but women are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, giving them unique insights into the solutions needed for resilience and adaptation, and women are inherent nurturers and therefore can better provide the care our planet requires. Who better to fix a problem than the people being primarily affected by it? Find female climate advocates in your community. Reach out, offer support, listen and learn. ~ Zoe Peterson, Bowdoin College senior