Sisters on the Planet

See how four inspirational women are fighting back against climate change—and learn how you can help.

As obvious as it sounds, climate change affects everybody. But climate change is already having a disproportionate impact on people in developing countries, and it’s hitting women hardest.

It’s not the easiest idea to understand, so to help explain this, here are short films about women, in both rich and poor countries, who are determined to do whatever they can to put a stop to climate change.

Watch them and become aware of the impact our changing climate is having on people’s lives. And be inspired to join the fight against climate change too.

Muriel's story (Brazil)

As a senior member of Brazil’s Environment Ministry, Muriel Saragoussi lives her life as a constant and impassioned fight against climate change. "If you're on a boat that's sinking, it’s useless to say it is somebody else’s fault," she says. "Everybody on board will sink, so we are all responsible for something. All of us have to play our part."

Sahena's story (Bangladesh)

The annual monsoon rains in Bangladesh are getting heavier and more unpredictable – last year's floods were the worst in decades, affecting nine million people – but few people can have encountered a force of nature quite like Sahena Begum. Fiercely determined, she is spearheading community efforts to deal with changing weather in Kunderpara village.

Martina's story (Uganda)

The weather has never been perfectly predictable in Uganda – no more than it is anywhere else – but in the last few years it has become more and more unreliable, making life increasingly precarious for communities, like Martina Longom's, who rely on farming to survive.

"For the last three years the rain was late," Martina explains. "In two of them there wasn’t enough rain for the sorghum [a local crop] to grow."

Melissa's story (Great-Britain)

Melissa Davies Oliveck recalls that when she first asked her Year Three class "How many of you are worried about climate change?” nearly all of the children put their hands up. Since then Melissa has been working determinedly to help her pupils see that they can have a voice, that they can be powerful, and that they can make a difference.