Climate Action
Conserve Like A Girl
May 27, 2025
Mother Nature’s wrath spares no one: man, woman, government, or corporation, the climate crisis is everyone’s business. We all play a role in alleviating or exacerbating the planet’s decline. Yet despite this shared responsibility, why are women in many parts of the world more invested in the climate crisis than men?
In high-income countries, studies consistently show that women are more likely to express alarm or concern about environmental degradation and support policies that combat climate change. Women often lead the way and live more sustainably, from reducing waste to embracing ethical consumption. Meanwhile, men tend to lag behind, showing less concern and fewer efforts to adopt sustainable practices.
This disparity is not just a social issue; it’s a costly setback that hinders our collective ability to address the climate crisis. When half the population is less likely to engage or act on environmental issues, we lose invaluable support for tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time.
The Numbers Behind the Divide
In February 2025, a study on U.S. registered voters revealed that women are significantly more likely to be climate voters who name climate change or environmental issues as their top political priorities. 62% of climate voters are women, compared to only 37% of men– an astonishing 25-point gap.
Both American men and women think global warming is happening and is caused by human beings, and they believe it at similar levels. Women, however, consistently have higher risk perceptions that global warming will harm them personally, other people in the U.S., future generations, plants, and animals. They also support certain climate change mitigation policies at higher rates than men.
This isn’t seen everywhere, though; the climate gender gap doesn’t exist in poorer countries and is highly correlated with economic development. Men’s and women’s concerns about global warming are roughly equal in low-income, low per-capita emissions countries and territories.
Knowing the statistics isn’t enough. To unite people across all economic classes, countries, and genders against climate change, we need to understand the root causes of the gap and identify actionable steps to close it.
When Green Becomes Gendered
One popular theory for the gender gap is that environmentalism is considered feminine, discouraging men from joining the movement because both men and women align “greenness” with femininity.
In the U.S., researchers found men disinclined to engage in any environmentally friendly activity labeled as feminine out of fear of being perceived as being ‘soft’, which included using reusable bags, recycling, and adopting vegetarian or vegan diets. Men may even avoid or actively oppose these green behaviors to protect their gender identity and sense of masculinity.
Compared to men, women generally purchase eco-friendly products more frequently, consume less carbon, are more likely to recycle, minimize waste, and save more water and energy. They are also more likely to volunteer for and donate to environmental causes. Harmful stereotypes that equate environmentalism with femininity could discourage some men from embracing these eco-friendly practices.
Some research also suggests that while men are raised to be more independent and competitive, women are socialized to be more caring, cooperative, and helpful. This may make women worry more about the environment and, therefore, more willing to adopt eco-friendly behaviors.
Women’s higher levels of empathy, altruism, and personal responsibility may make them more interested in environmentalism as a means to protect themselves and others. For example, in a large study in the U.S., women became more concerned about the impact of climate change and supportive of mitigation policies when asked to consider future generations; men, meanwhile, experienced no such change.
Climate in the Classroom
Some suggest that women are more environmentally friendly because they’re better educated. It’s often observed that more highly educated people tend to be more environmentally friendly, and women make up the majority of higher education students in 114 countries, compared to only 57 countries with male majorities. In the U.S., nearly 60% of all undergraduate students are female, while men comprise only 42%.
However, women are still grossly underrepresented in STEM education and the professions. Furthermore, scientists lack the evidence to identify a causal relationship between higher education and environmentalism in general, and even less to support that the gender gap is a result of their education.
Researchers are still divided on a definite cause, and multiple causes may work in tandem. However, integrating climate education across subjects and schools has the potential to shift entrenched behaviors and foster greater awareness and environmentalism regardless of students’ gender identity.
One thing is for certain: getting men to care as much as women do is key to saving the planet. Regardless of the gap, at EARTHDAY.ORG, everyone is encouraged to act. You are perfect for the movement as you are, no matter your gender, sexuality, experience level, and more.
We may not know for certain how to close the gap. However, all genders can improve their climate education to consume more sustainably, conserve resources, and support the best environmental policies. Take your action to the next level by signing up to volunteer with us and signing petitions for tripling renewable energy generation and a Global Plastic Treaty.
It’s never too late to get involved. We need a united front to save our planet, so join and spread the movement today.
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