How Ecofeminism Enhances the Climate Justice Debate: a Human Rights Perspective

“Women must see that there can be no liberation for them and no solution to the ecological crisis within our society whose fundamental model of relationship continues to be one of domination” states Rosemary Ruether in 1975. Nowadays, this forward-looking statement reaffirms that environment is - and has always been - a feminist issue. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of all time. This crisis, interlinked with issues of energy, green-house gasses emission, health, but also poverty, and social justice, demands complex solutions that transcend technical fixes. Climate change is interconnected with almost all aspects of human and non-human life, therefore, it is impossible to provide a single solution to everything it is involved, complex topics need complex answers. Ecofeminism offers a powerful framework for confronting climate change by challenging the dominant paradigm of exploitation and centering interconnectedness – between humans, nature, and all living beings – it provides a holistic lens for understanding and addressing the climate issue. While diverse in its perspectives, ecofeminism's apparent contradictions, often considered as weaknesses, are in fact its strengths. It enriches the debate on climate justice, it proposes dynamics that question and deconstruct the current system based on domination, exclusion, profit-making and exploitation which have fostered the current environmental degradation. Ecofeminism advocates equality and justice for all species, dismantling the privileges of the few that have fueled global exploitation. Therefore, embracing ecofeminist perspectives is not merely an act of solidarity but a strategic necessity. Only by integrating its insights into any climate action we can hope to develop effective and equitable solutions that heal the wounds inflicted on both human and non-human beings. This dissertation analyses the contribution of ecofeminism to addressing the climate crisis from a human rights perspective. Through the chapters, it explores the links between ecofeminism and climate justice, environmentalist theories, and interconnected rights. Tracing the historical waves of feminism, this dissertation sets out the roots of the ecofeminist movements and theories, critically examining both their shared ground and apparent dissonances, it will explore the connections between nature and women. This dissertation examines ecofeminist critics of capitalism, human exceptionalism, and speciesism, revealing their impact on environmental degradation and injustices. It further investigates the criticism moved to ecofeminism, analyzing the reasons behind past backlashes and its potential limitations when viewed through a human rights lens. Finally, the conclusion addresses the research question arguing that an ecofeminist turn is not only essential, but it has a potential to be the most comprehensive and just path forward.