We came together as Artists, Designers and Educators from very different backgrounds. As individuals, we have our own unique interpretations of our experience in the world. As a collective, we decided to pull apart our experiences to examine what connected us, what separated us and what ultimately matters most to us. We decided to look deeper into climate change – more specifically to look at displacement caused by climate change, primarily natural disasters. As we delved further into research and statistics on the topic, one thing became very clear. Climate change does not affect all people equally.
UN figures indicate that women are disproportionately affected by climate change. In the past five years, 21.5 million people a year have been displaced by climate change. This figure interestingly is twice the amount that were displaced by conflict or violence in that same period. Despite this, the term “climate refugee” falls outside the 1951 Refugee Convention which pertains only to persons fleeing war and/or persecution. This means that those displaced by climate are largely internally displaced. 80% of the 21.5 million people displaced by climate change are female.
Studies show those most susceptible to the impacts of climate change are the poor, the disempowered and the marginalised across the world. Women make up the vast majority of this vulnerable category. Our research found numerous reasons for this gendered inequality. Although these differed across countries and cultures, many factors remained constant:
We found that although women make up the majority of the people affected by climate change, they are hugely under-represented in all decision-making processes. For example, of the 200 senior ministers in Irish governments from 1919 to September 2018, only 19 have been women. In stark terms, about 90% have been men. Similarly, the average representation of women in national and global climate negotiating bodies is below 30%. In response to this shocking reality, we felt it was important to create a piece of work highlighting the huge climate injustice facing women. We created 100 homes to visually make sense of the vast amounts of women displaced by climate change, and the disparity between the amount of women versus men affected in this way. 80 homes are marked with
a red “X” to represent the disadvantage faced by women.
Prior to our research, we had very different perceptions of who is affected by climate change. Following our research, we learned that there is no grey area. Women are 14 times more likely to die in a natural disaster. The reasons women are more affected are varied and complex. They are a hybrid of female roles, both chosen and given, and cultural oppression due to sex. It is difficult not to conclude that women have become something of the “sacrificial lamb” in the face of climate change. If women make up 80% of those displaced by climate change, then women must make up the majority of those making decisions on climate action…and fast.
I mean, can you swim?
Carmel Bergin is a visual artist and educator based in Co. Offaly and is currently completing a Professional Masters of Education at NCAD. Graduating from LSAD in 2017 with a BA(hons) in Printmaking and Contemporary Practice, Carmel went on to do a year-long graduate visa in Chicago, interning in a commercial printmakers and gallery; All Star Press. Carmel is a member of Limerick Printmakers, printmaking, in particular etchings are central to her practice. Drawing is at the cornerstone of Carmel’s work in both her artistic and teaching practice, always carrying a sketchbook to observe her surroundings, solving problems or making irreverent illustrations, a finished piece always begins as a scribble.
Eve Hickey is a visual artist and educator living and working in North County Dublin. Having trained initially in glass, ceramics and wood, she gained a greater understanding of materials and their possibilities. In 2002 she went on to complete a degree in Fine Art in IADT Dun Laoghaire working primarily in painting, drawing and sculpture. Her career to date has allowed her to continue to be hands-on, exploratory and investigative. After graduating in 2006 she began working as a decorative artist with a bespoke furniture and finishes company. In 2012 she moved over to an Irish interiors and furniture company as the lead product designer and continued in this role for seven years.
In 2020 having taken a broader view of her career and its direction she decided to return to NCAD to complete a Professional Master of Education (Art and Design). Throughout her career she has continued to pursue her personal art practice, working primarily in paint and non-traditional materials, wood and plasters. Her work varies in style from finely detailed drawings to large scale, mixed media paintings. The pieces echo her love of roadscapes, landscapes, deep connection to nature and the idea of displacement and home.
Claire Malone is a Designer and Educator based in Co. Kildare. Working primarily in the field of illustration and pattern design, she graduated from NCAD in 2018 with a BA (Hons) in Textile and Surface Design and Visual Culture. On graduation, she began working as a commercial textile designer for Carolyn Donnelly Eclectic, Dunnes Stores. Since then, she has worked for various brands and studios across the sectors of both fashion and homewares. In both her design and teaching practice, Claire takes a particular interest in combining traditional hand-drawing and painting techniques with the use of digital media.