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Can Women Save the World?: A New Theoretical Framework for Encouraging a Plan(e)t-based Diet and Building Urban Resilience
Type of Session
Individual Paper Presentation
Abstract
By conceptualizing a new theoretical framework integrating critical ecofeminism and urban resilience theories, the contributions of this paper address one of the most significant contributors to environmental problems, at every scale from global to local: unprecedented global demand for animal-based foods (ABFs). Livestock production systems use one quarter of the Earth’s land for pasture, one-third of global cropland for feed crops, and nearly a quarter of global freshwater; furthermore, they are one of the largest drivers of biodiversity destruction and may contribute more to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than any other sector of the global economy. Antibiotics used in the rearing of livestock pose health risks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the consumption of red and processed meat is associated with chronic non-communicable diseases, such as type II diabetes, cancer, cardio-vascular disease, and obesity. Because the consumption and production of animal-based foods negatively affect human and environmental health, the need for dietary change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Yet, despite this, efforts and evidence for managing demand of animal-based foods are largely absent from policy and scholarship.
By situating ecofeminist perspectives (which informs empowerment of disadvantaged groups and ethical considerations for animals and environment) within urban resilience theory (which addresses building capacity for sustainable, healthy communities in the face of changing climatic conditions), this paper provides a lens for guiding scholarship in addressing dietary change. The framework distinguishes women as important players within the urban food system and explores how empowering women can build capacity for improving environmental conditions and health outcomes. Furthermore, critical ecofeminism challenges environmental policy scholars to look deeper into the sustainability of urban food systems, by evaluating how structural inequalities can be addressed to not only benefit society, but also to bolster ability to adapt to climate change.