Trump, toxic masculinity, and the climate
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Hey all! For this week’s newsletter, we’ll be discussing toxic masculinity and how it relates to climate destruction, as well as sharing some of our favourite reads, recipes and brands of the week. 🌻
The fear behind climate denial 🌍
It’s been four years of a Trump presidency, which has culminated in this (almost literal) dumpster fire of a year. Another four years of Trump would mean severe and irreversible climate change (so get out and vote if you’re an American citizen). Let’s take a look at the number of environmental protections Trump has rolled back so far:
The sheer speed and number of rollbacks is staggering. So why is Trump so hellbent on wrecking the environment?
First of all, Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign cry sparks nostalgia for the “good old days” when white, patriarchal rule was the norm and fossil fuels prevailed. This article titled “Petro-masculinity: Fossil Fuels and Authoritarian Desire” goes into the relationship between fossil fuel consumption and destructive hypermasculinity, and how both serve to erode equality and our planet.
White, conservative American men (read: Trump followers) tend overwhelmingly to be climate deniers, and there’s a term for it: petro masculinity. This is the idea that masculinity and fossil fuel use are inherently linked. It’s no coincidence that fossil fuels and the masculinity of Trump’s America are both toxic. Trump and his followers are reactionary: they want to go back to a time when the nuclear family and car ownership defined the American Dream. When consumerism ruled all and social injustice wasn’t on the national consciousness.
The world we live in today has all but wiped out this dream. Racial injustice, pandemics, climate destruction - that’s the focus now, and arguably, these woes can all be traced back to white patriarchal rule and its indelibly harmful effect on our societies. Is it a wonder, then, that Trump wants to close his eyes? Why can’t Trump and his followers confront the truth about climate change, about coronavirus? Why do they reject science?
Are they… scared?
The more I read, the more I’m convinced of this fact. Climate denial as a product of toxic masculinity is not stupidity or ignorance - it’s fear. A 2016 study found that men thought caring about the environment was feminine, and some didn’t want to partake in “green” behaviours for fear of being seen as gay. They also preferred to support climate charities that had “manly” symbols like wolves or mountains instead of messaging that included “Mother Earth” or trees. Ironically, this rejection of environmentalism demonstrates the sheer fragility of men who embrace toxic masculinity. Unfortunately, their fear also poses a problem for our planet.
Just 1% of fossil fuel CEOs are women. Is it any coincidence that patriarchal society serves to exploit both the planet and women? Is it any accident that we call our planet “Mother Earth” while we call anything that harms it “man-made”? Gender and climate are inextricably linked. Educating girls, for example, is regarded as a priority for fighting climate change - studies have found that for each additional year of school a girl receives (on average), the country she lives in improves its resilience to climate related disasters. On the other hand, 80% of people currently displaced by climate change are women. Yes, climate change is happening now, and it’s already destroying lives.
To make matters worse, women are still underrepresented in climate decision-making circles, comprising only 33% of UN Climate Change bodies. This means that the people in charge of making policies about protecting our planet are overwhelmingly and disproportionately men - white men. The policies they come up with are usually centered around money and creating jobs rather than focusing on justice and the protection of disadvantaged communities and animals. It all stems back to the patriarchy, folks.
So what do we do? Well, it’s time to hit them where it hurts. Instead of accusing people and politicians like Trump of being heartless or cruel, let’s be candid: they’re pathetic and afraid. Let’s remove the “masculine” association with destroying the environment. Masculinity can instead be about being brave, and having the courage to say: “We are destroying the planet. But now we’re going to save it.”
What we’re… 🤓
…reading: This piece in the New Yorker about climate change in politics. There are short and sweet interviews with two women running for the Senate in the US election. Worth a read to understand how climate change gets prioritised in politics!
…skimming: i-D Magazine’s powerful portraits of New York City’s climate activists - including a 9-year-old who helps settle climate refugees. Brb crying 😭
…listening to: The most recent episode of the Mothers of Invention podcast. They talk to an Indonesian activist about how to restore indigenous forest rights and you can learn about soil health too!
…jamming to: The One by Cleo Sol for it’s powerful soul-like beats and song lyrics about forests dying 🌲
…cooking: These delicious plant-based stuffed sweet potatoes - packed with protein and super filling 😋
Good news 🌻
Conservation groups have saved up to 48 bird and mammal species from extinction. Without their efforts, extinction rates would have been 3 to 4 times higher 😨
Tips + Advice 💌
How can I get involved in green investing?
So there are a few options. Make sure to do your research into any company you invest in and make sure they’re not participating in greenwashing, first of all. No vague terms like “eco-friendly” or lots of misleading green imagery. Try and go straight to the source and invest in companies that generate sustainable energy like:
Hydropower
Solar energy
Wind Power
Anti-pollution
Sustainable food production
Safe, successful investing can be sustainable, too.
Like this section? Send in your questions!
Sustainable brand spotlight ✨
We love this sustainable bamboo intimates brand Hara the Label. They’re silky soft, breathable, and plant-dyed too!
Take action 🗳
Switch your default browser to Ecosia - they use ad revenue to plant trees!
That’s it for today’s newsletter! This is our first ever one for paying subscribers, and I hope you absolutely love it. Feel free to reply to this with your thoughts and anything you want to see more of.
Thank you for supporting the work we do ♥️
This is so fantastic and a topic i'd never really fully thought about but is so meaningful to learn of! Thank you for this! Also, I love the segment on green investing I would definitely love love to see more on that in the future. :)