In honour of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the incredible women and girls that are leading the charge in climate science. Women and girls around the globe are faced with systemic and historical barriers. However, we are highlighting some women who are not only shaping our understanding of the climate crisis, but are also creating and advocating innovative solutions for a sustainable future. These women are leaders and innovators in a field that is vital to the future of our planet. This blog will highlight extraordinary women that are leading efforts towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
Katie Harper
Katie Harper is a senior advisor at Project Neutral. This platform is dedicated to helping communities and households understand their carbon footprints and guide them through steps to reduce them. Katie holds a master’s degree in freshwater ecology from McGill University and has been working on climate engagement in non-profit and corporate sectors for over 15 years. She creates and presents climate activation and education programs to educate others in a fun and easy to understand way. Katie’s work has been beneficial to educating many communities about changes they can make to work towards a more sustainable future. Stay up to date on her current projects by checking out her LinkedIn.
Katherine Hayhoe
Katherine is an atmospheric scientist and she helps others quantify the impacts of climate change. For more in-depth insights on her accomplishments and work, visit here. She is currently a professor at Texas Tech University and the Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy. Katherine’s career has been dedicated to translating complex climate science into accessible information for different audiences like local communities and policymakers. Katherine’s research includes analyzing how climate change will have an influence on different areas, focusing on North America. She also has done extensive research on understanding how people’s values influence their views on climate change and science. Hayhoe has become a trusted voice in the media and a leading advocate for fostering a stronger link between climate science and public awareness. Her work further highlights the importance of collaborating and communicating effectively in order to inspire climate action.
Tzeporah Berman
Tzeporah is a Canadian environmental activist who has been working on environmental policy for more than thirty years. She is the Chair for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Tzeporah co-founded what is now STAND.earth which is a non-profit environmental organization that advocates for the protection of endangered forests. Berman has been a driving force behind the protection of over 40 million hectares of old-growth forests. She also has played a key role in the Great Bear Rainforest agreement. In 2019, Tzeporah received the Climate Breakthrough Project Award and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award. For more information about her work and accomplishments, visit here. She specifically advocates for work on climate policy, renewable energy, and the oil and gas industry. She continues to be a powerful voice advocating for a sustainable future.
Catherine Abreu
Catherine Abreu is an internationally recognized climate justice advocate with 15 years of experience in the global climate movement. She is currently the Director of the International Climate Politics Hub, which is a network focused on accelerating climate action through multilateralism. She is also on the Council of Advisors for the Canadian Climate Institute. Known for her diplomacy, communication, and coalition building, Abreu has been named one of the world’s top 100 climate policy influencers by Apolitical. In 2023, she was honoured as a National Hero by Canada’s Walk of Fame. She serves as one of the 14 members of Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body, which provides the government with guidance on achieving the climate commitments they have made. She also is an advisor for the Canada Climate Institute and is on the boards of many key climate change organizations like Climate Action Network Canada and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Catherine has been awarded with the Canada’s Clean50 award in 2018, and in 2020, the Jack Layton Progress Prize. Catherine is a vital force in shaping global climate policy and advancing the transition to clean energy.
Ingrid Waldron
Dr. Ingrid Waldron is a leading researcher and advocate for environmental justice. She focuses on the impact of environmental racism and climate change on Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities. Dr. Waldron is the HOPE Chair in Peace and Health at McMaster University, where she teaches on the intersection of the environment, health and inequality. To learn more about her academic work, visit here. She is also the founder of the ENRICH Project, an organization combating environmental racism in Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities. She is a co-founder of the Anti-Environmental Racism Coalition, and has played a crucial role in the development of Bill C-230, a federal initiative addressing environmental racism. Dr. Ingrid Wilson is also the author of There’s Something in the Water: Environmental Racism in Indigenous and Black Communities. Her book, which has also been turned into a documentary, explores environmental racism and the harmful effects on Indigenous and Black communities within Canada. Her contributions to climate science and social equity continue to remain a vital force in shaping Canada’s environmental future.
Miranda Wang
Miranda Wang is a pioneering force in the field of sustainability and climate science. She is the co-founder and CEO of Novoloop, a company that envisions a fully circular world where materials are reused as building products and difficult-to-recycle plastics are transformed into new products. The vision of Novoloop is to create a waste-free world, which will unlock endless possibilities in a continuous cycle of innovation. Miranda has developed groundbreaking chemical recycling technologies that have repurposed the hard-to-recycle materials into new, valuable materials. To read about a Q and A she did after winning the Pritzker Genius Award, visit here. Her work is revolutionizing the way we manage plastic. Her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit inspire a new generation of women in science and environmental innovation, making her a stand out figure in the efforts to combat climate change.
Nzambi Matee
In 2020, Nzambi Matee was announced as a Young Champion of the Earth. This award is given annually to ambitious young people from around the world who have outstanding ideas to protect and restore the environment, and it is part of the United Nations Environment Programme’s flagship youth engagement initiative. Nzambi is a self-taught hardware designer, and mechanical engineer with a background in physics and materials engineering. Passionate about sustainability, she harnessed her expertise in design thinking to launch Gjenge Makers. Her mission was to transform plastic waste into affordable, eco-friendly building materials, addressing both plastic pollution and housing challenges in Kenya. To watch Nzambi’s idea come to life, click here.
The inspiring work of these eight women highlight the critical role they are playing in creating climate action. Through their expertise, dedication, and leadership, they are driving transformative change in climate policy, advocacy, and action. From shaping international climate strategies to leading on-the-ground efforts for sustainability, these women are not only challenging the status quo but also inspiring a new generation of environmental leaders. Their contributions continue to pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future, proving that bold, visionary leadership is key to tackling the climate crisis.