Climate change disproportionately effects women all around the world, and everyday women are stepping up to act on climate to positively impact their communities.
For Women’s History Month, five incredible women Climate Reality Leaders across the world sat down to answer five questions about the interconnectedness of womanhood, the impact of the climate landscape, and their work within their communities.
Next up in the series is a phenomenal leader from Gauteng, South Africa!
Meet Nosiphelo Nikani
Nosiphelo passion and drive has gotten her where she is today. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Management from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, she has used her knowledge and life experience to make a difference.
She is extremely passionate about working with vulnerable groups to raise climate change awareness, promote sustainability, and tell stories from the ground. She is currently working as a Community Engagement Coordinator for the African Climate Reality Project
Nosiphelo has an ample number of years under her belt working with various environmental management and sustainability organizations, the urgency to fight the climate crisis is one of her biggest passions. Nosi is a dynamic climate leader, and a shero we need to build a better and sustainable climate future for all!
How did you get involved in the climate fight?
I have always been aware of general environmental issues like pollution since High School. One of my favorite subjects was geography but I did not have in-depth knowledge about climate change as it is not included in the curriculum.
I became fully aware of it post my studies, even though I was always surrounded by its impacts growing up. Through working with the African Climate Reality Project, I was able to fully immerse myself in this work to learn and understand it better.
How does your perspective and experience as a woman shape your work?
The fact that women are amongst the most vulnerable groups when it comes to climate change issues has made me want to help women tell their stories. I want to equip them with the knowledge and skills to be able to find solutions to issues they are faced with.
There are so many women who do great work on the ground, and they seldom get to tell their stories to bigger audiences and large platform. Highlighting these women in various ways has become something I am passionate about.
How have you seen climate change affect your life and your community?
Growing up I was surrounded by many impacts of climate change like droughts and floods. I thought that these were just normal struggles of life.
When I was still a toddler, I remember that my mom, together with other women would wake up at 4 am to go fetch water because we did not have enough water for the entire village – making a necessity like water not easy to access.
This led to poverty as agriculture was negatively affected. As a teenager, we would not have water for days and must travel long distances to fetch water.
I remember in 2018 when I was traveling to Durban and heavy rain started pouring which led to so many accidents on the road but that was only the beginning.
The rain continued for days and led to floods in KwaZulu-Natal. That resulted in a loss of lives and property – people are still trying to recover from that loss until this day. What is even sadder about this is the lack of awareness about the main cause of such issues.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your work?
Finding people with similar interests and passion can be difficult. However, once you have found these people, the realization that change does not happen overnight can be daunting and discouraging.
Policies take forever to change because policymakers don’t see the urgency of this work – which is very challenging. Also, celebrating small victories and trusting the process is not easy and can at times affect one’s mental health.
We hear more negative news than positive ones. These are some of the challenges we are faced with.
What advice would you give other women who want to make a difference like you?
I would say to them you need to believe in yourself and that you have what it takes to have a meaningful contribution to this work. Take it one-step at a time, find people with similar interests, and know that no action is too little.
We all contribute to the bigger picture every time we choose to act or have a say in decision-making processes, big or small.
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This is one article in a series with five women climate leaders asking five questions about their climate impact in their country. Read the rest of the stories and sign up for our email list.
Did Nosiphelo inspire you? Learn more on how to become a Climate Reality Leader and start making an impact today. here on how to become a Climate Reality Leader and start making an impact today.
