8th of March is International Women´s Day, which celebrates women´s rights, gender equality, and female empowerment.
It is crucial to support women in this movement, and a part of that is remembering the influential historical figures who have changed (and keep changing) the world for the better. Today, we are discussing 8 important women in the history of environmental science.
1. Rachel Carson (1907–1964, USA)
Field: Marine Biology, Environmental Science
- Carson’s book Silent Spring (1962) exposed the dangers of pesticides such as DDT, showing how they harmed ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
- Her work directly influenced the banning of DDT in the U.S. and inspired the modern environmental movement.
- She also wrote about ocean life in The Sea Around Us (1951), bringing marine science to a broad audience.
2. Eugenie Clark (1922–2015, USA)
Field: Marine Biology, Ichthyology
- Known as the “Shark Lady,” she studied shark behaviour and dispelled myths about these animals being mindless killers.
- She discovered that some shark species can learn and be trained, changing perceptions of their intelligence.
- Advocated for marine conservation, particularly the protection of sharks and their ecosystems.
3. Wangari Maathai (1940–2011, Kenya)
Field: Environmental Activism, Sustainable Development
- Founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, which planted millions of trees to combat deforestation, erosion, and desertification.
- Empowered rural women by engaging them in tree planting, which provided them with income and improved local environments.
- Became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (2004) for “contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.”
4. Dian Fossey (1932–1985, USA)
Field: Primatology, Conservation
- Conducted groundbreaking studies on mountain gorillas in Rwanda, demonstrating their complex social structures.
- Advocated for gorilla conservation and fought against poaching, often at great personal risk.
- Wrote Gorillas in the Mist (1983), which brought global attention to gorilla conservation.
- She was tragically murdered in 1985, likely due to her anti-poaching efforts, but her work continues through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
5. Sylvia Earle (b. 1935, USA)
Field: Marine Biology, Oceanography
- A leading oceanographer, she has led over 100 underwater expeditions and spent thousands of hours underwater.
- Set a deep-sea diving record in 1979, descending 381 meters (1,250 feet) in a special diving suit.
- Advocates for marine protected areas (which she calls “Hope Spots”) to conserve ocean biodiversity.
- Former chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
6. Jane Lubchenco (b. 1947, USA)
Field: Marine Ecology, Environmental Policy
- Specialized in marine biodiversity and climate change impacts on oceans.
- Worked on sustainable fisheries management, advocating for ecosystem-based approaches.
- Served as the head of NOAA (2009–2013), helping to shape U.S. ocean policies.
- One of the most cited ecologists in the world, influencing environmental policy and science communication.
7. Suzanne Simard (b. 1960, Canada)
Field: Forest Ecology, Mycology
- Discovered that trees communicate with each other through underground fungal networks, now known as the “wood wide web.”
- Showed that older trees (mother trees) help support younger ones by sharing nutrients and signals.
- Her work has influenced sustainable forestry and conservation practices.
- Author of Finding the Mother Tree (2021), which brought her research to a wider audience.
8. Greta Thunberg (b. 2003, Sweden)
Field: Climate Activism
- Though not a scientist, she has amplified climate science and pushed for urgent action on global warming starting at a very young age.
- Started the Fridays for Future movement, inspiring millions of young people to strike for climate action.
- Delivered impactful speeches at the UN Climate Summit and COP meetings, challenging world leaders to take responsibility.
- Helped keep climate change at the forefront of political and public discussions worldwide.
These stories prove that scientific discovery and environmental action are not limited by gender. They are fueled by curiosity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the planet. As we face the growing challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, their legacy reminds us of the power of knowledge and the importance of using it to create a better future.
Women in science, activism, and conservation continue to break barriers and lead the way. Their work is not finished – it is a call to action for the next generation to protect and restore the world we all share.
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