The empowerment of women and the population dynamics of climate change

Dear editor, We welcome the focus on climate change and population growth, raised by Stephenson et al.1 Particularly in the context of reproductive health we agree with the sentiment that rapid population growth jeopardizes both human development and the capacity of poor communities to adapt to climate change is generally well known. While Stephenson et al.1 have ably addressed several key issues related to climate change and human health, the potential for women as agents of change has been somewhat overlooked. Specifically while reproductive health is discussed as a means to combat rapid population growth, the significance of empowering women on a global level is omitted. Women can be effective agents of change when addressing global climate change adaptation strategies. To effectively address rapid population growth, a culturally sensitive model for women's reproductive health services and education is required. Evidence confirms that such services result in the empowerment of women, and fewer births.2 Additionally, ‘the lack of access to reproductive health services undermines achievement of most if not all of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)'.3 However, reproductive health is still not readily employed as a climate change strategy despite reports indicating that the provision of reproductive health services is the most cost-effective climate change strategy.4 Therefore, the empowerment of women through the provision of reproductive health services acts as both a adaptation strategy, and a mitigation strategy, each of which are highlighted by Stephenson et al.1 to tackle the challenges of climate change. A important outcome of the June 2010 G8 meeting in Toronto, Canada was the Muskoka Declaration, which called for a renewed emphasis on maternal and reproductive health. The declaration explicitly states that progress towards maternal and reproductive health has been unacceptably slow. To that end, global leaders have pledged $5 billion USD to be delivered through the Muskoka initiative, to accelerate MDGs 4 and 5, which focus specifically on child and maternal health. Additionally, issues of climate change in developing countries are addressed with the G8 making a commitment to share national strategies and experiences. Although this new commitment provides an opportunity to accomplish the goals of healthy outcomes for the world population and for the planet, it is disappointing that reproductive health and climate change remain unlinked. In light of the declaration, we agree with Stephenson et al. assertions that ‘population dynamics have not been integrated systematically into climate change science' and that ‘the contribution of population growth … to mitigation and adaptation programmes needs urgent investigation.' The links between women's health, population outcomes and climate wellbeing have been established. The time has come to integrate the sexual and reproductive health community into the climate change agenda in order to actualize change that will benefit women, nations and the environment.

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