Diary Entry

Ripple Effect

How does climate change affect women more?

In Bhutan’s mountains, climate change is no longer a distant concern. Erratic rainfall, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and the drying up of nearly 25% of freshwater sources have become realities that alter both the land and the lives dependent on it. Yet, the impact of these changes is not evenly distributed, some lives bend more heavily under the weight of this crisis.

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In rural Bhutan, livelihoods are deeply shaped by culture and gender. Women’s work is rooted in agriculture and the collection of forest-grown foods such as ferns, fruits, and mushrooms. Their income depends directly on the stability of the climate. When rains become unpredictable, when pests multiply, or when crops fail, it is women’s work, and their security, that suffers first.

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In contrast, men often earn their living through monk rituals, carpentry, or painting, professions less vulnerable to immediate climate disruptions. Their livelihoods may face broader economic challenges, but not the same daily uncertainty that women experience when the weather turns against their harvests. This inequality is not new; the climate crisis has simply deepened it.

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So how do we, as youth, as men and women of all backgrounds, bridge this gap?

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Educating and Empowering Women

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Education is the first and most powerful step. Not just formal education, but community training, awareness programs, and empowerment initiatives that provide women with the tools to adapt, innovate, and lead in the face of change.

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Yet empowerment is not solely about raising voices or demanding visibility. True leadership often grows quietly, it can be the thoughtful sharing of ideas, the nurturing of resilience, or the telling of one’s story. When women farmers, students, or youth leaders share their experiences, they give shape and urgency to action.

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Climate Change Has Many Layers

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Climate change is not a single-issue problem. It intersects with health, food security, wildlife, water, and energy. It affects individuals differently depending on where they live, what resources they have, and the roles they play in society.

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For Bhutan, our carbon-negative status stands as a global symbol of hope, but it does not shield us from vulnerability. Our glaciers continue to melt. Farmers continue to struggle with unproductive yields. Rural communities continue to shoulder the weight of disruption. Awareness is crucial, but awareness without action remains incomplete. Change requires effort, and effort often begins small.