In this empirical study from a large sample of nation-states, Kari Norgaard and Richard York analyse the correlation between gender equality within state organs of government and state environmental policy. They find that countries with greater gender equality and women in power (e.g. government, parliament) are more likely to support ecological protection and ratify international environmental treaties. The authors posit that gender and eco-feminist theories can help better understand state environmentalism, and inform the relationship between society and nature more positively. Since women tend to be more risk-averse, engage in social movements and suffer disproportionately from environmental disasters, the authors argue that gender equality and pro-environmental values could be factors for ecological reforms. They conclude that feminist theories can contribute greatly to further empirical work on environmental sociology, and that global environmental efforts would be more effectively supported through elevating the status and representation of women in politics.
