How Moms Are at the Forefront of Climate Action
Women still bear the brunt of household work — but with that comes purchasing power, innovation and insight that is shaping sustainability.
I’m a new mom whose son just turning one. If I thought I was a good multitasker before, let me tell you — it’s a whole new ballgame now. Most mornings, you’ll find me dressing my son, coffee in hand while jotting down my work to-dos for the day. And due to climate change, the weight of what moms are juggling has grown heavier. It’s not just the wildfires and floods we see on the news; the constant barrage of daily choices can feel like little battles in the war for a sustainable future.
I see it in my own life every day. Between figuring out which eco-friendly detergent actually works (still searching, by the way) and coordinating my son’s clothing rental, I’ve become all too familiar with the dance of minimizing our family’s footprint. When I look at my son, with his big smile and wobbly soccer kicks, I find the extra fight in myself to make sustainable choices. And I know I’m not alone. Moms everywhere are leading the charge against climate change.
The Home Front
While it’s true that men have become more involved in household tasks, research consistently shows that women still shoulder most of the mental load for the family. This includes everything from planning meals and scheduling doctor appointments to managing household budgets and overseeing children’s daily needs (men might have experience with all these things too — but the data shows that society at large still leaves the majority of this to the mom).
The inequitable share of household labor leaves many moms in the role of decision-maker for the majority of family purchases. While this can feel burdensome, it also means moms wield significant purchasing power. The World Economic Forum found that women are “making 85% of day-to-day spending decisions and 80% of healthcare spending decisions for the family.”
This isn’t to say that men don’t care about these choices or are absent from the conversation. In many households, like mine, there’s a shared desire to live sustainably. But the invisible mental labor that goes into maintaining a household often falls on moms, and that burden brings with it the power to drive market demand toward greener, more ethical choices. Every time I choose organic snacks over heavily packaged processed foods or opt for eco-friendly cleaning supplies, I vote with my wallet.
Here are a few ways moms are pushing for a green future within the home:
- Reducing household waste. One effective way moms (including me!) are stepping up for the environment is by utilizing kids’ clothing rentals. These services allow families to rent outfits for their little ones instead of buying new clothes that are often outgrown quickly. This approach reduces textile waste and cuts down on the resources needed for production.
- Reducing food waste. Through strategies like meal planning, creatively repurposing leftovers, and smart grocery shopping, moms ensure that less food ends up in the trash. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization reports that approximately one-third of all food produced globally is wasted, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and an inefficient food system. By making small changes at home — such as freezing extra portions, cooking with food scraps, or starting a compost pile — moms are helping to address this large-scale environmental issue.
- Being more intentional about the products they bring into their homes. Moms are choosing sustainable and eco-friendly options. This shift can be observed in everything from cleaning supplies to clothes to food purchases—with more families opting for locally sourced, organic goods. These mindful choices reduce the demand for harmful chemicals, such as pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, while promoting cleaner air and water. By selecting eco-conscious products, moms make daily decisions that contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.
Advocacy: Mothers on the Frontlines
There’s something empowering about knowing the choices we make at home — whether it’s buying locally, composting, or switching to energy-efficient appliances — can have a ripple effect. It may feel small, but all those little actions add up.
But the activism doesn’t stop within the home. While making eco-friendly choices at home is crucial, many moms are taking their commitment to the environment further by becoming advocates for climate action. Organizations like Moms Clean Air Force and Mothers Out Front consist of passionate mothers urging policymakers to take substantial measures against climate change.
These organizations have been instrumental in pushing for legislative changes that have led to stricter air quality standards and increased investment in renewable energy. For instance, Moms Clean Air Force played a significant role in advocating for the Clean Power Plan in the United States, which aimed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.
The moms leading the charge in advocacy are not lifelong activists — they’re women like me, balancing a passion for the environment with the craziness of family life. I look at moms like Heather McTeer Toney, who’s been a leader in the environmental justice movement while raising her kids. As the first African-American and the first woman to serve as mayor of Greenville, Mississippi, Toney used her platform to address environmental and social issues in marginalized communities. Later, her role as a regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Obama brought her national recognition. Her leadership extends beyond local government, as she’s now a senior advisor for Moms Clean Air Force, a community of parents fighting air pollution. Toney’s story illustrates how motherhood amplifies her environmental work, as she seeks to protect her children’s future and the health of communities across the U.S.
Mary Anne Hitt’s environmental activism is also deeply rooted in family. As the former director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, Hitt led efforts that significantly contributed to the retirement of over 300 coal plants in the U.S., making a huge impact on reducing carbon emissions. Her activism is not separate from her role as a mother; instead, it’s intertwined. Hitt often shares how her desire for a livable planet for her daughter fuels her work. Advocating for a transition to clean energy while navigating the demands of parenthood shows how Hitt, like many other moms, bridges the personal and political.
These women show that you don’t need to choose between motherhood and activism — you can do both.
In addition to joining large advocacy groups, many moms are leading grassroots efforts within their own communities to drive change on a smaller yet equally impactful scale. From organizing neighborhood cleanups to hosting sustainable living workshops, these local initiatives create a ripple effect of awareness and action.
Educating the Next Generation
One of moms’ most impactful roles in the fight against climate change is educating our kids — the next generation of leaders. By instilling sustainability and environmental stewardship values in our children, moms ensure that the fight against climate change continues.
Teaching kids about recycling is one of the simplest yet most effective methods to impart these values. I grew up without much talk of sustainability, but these days, it’s woven into everything I try and do with my son. Many moms have transformed recycling into a fun and educational activity, using colorful bins and engaging games to teach their children the importance of sorting waste. I can’t wait to do this with my son when he gets older. This early education lays the foundation for lifelong sustainable habits.
Encouraging participation in local clean-up efforts is another way moms are nurturing eco-conscious individuals. Community clean-up events help remove litter from public spaces and foster a sense of responsibility and pride in maintaining a clean environment. These events often become family activities, instilling a sense of teamwork and shared purpose.
Innovative Leaders
Moms are not just adopting eco-friendly practices; many are innovators in their own right, developing new solutions to combat climate change. For instance, some entrepreneurial moms have started businesses focusing on sustainable products and services.
- Take Sandra Kwak, a mom who founded 10Power, a climate tech company that brings renewable energy to developing nations. 10Power focuses on providing solar power infrastructure to underserved communities, particularly in countries with limited access to reliable electricity.
- Another inspiring example is Lauren Singer, a mom who founded Package Free Shop. The store offers a wide range of zero-waste products, from reusable food storage to compostable toothbrushes. Lauren’s journey began with her commitment to living a zero-waste lifestyle, and she has since inspired countless others to do the same through her business and advocacy.
- Additionally, there’s Dr. Asha W. Thomas, the founder of Sustainability Sells, a climate tech company that focuses on developing innovative technologies to reduce food waste in the agricultural sector. Asha’s work centers on creating sustainable solutions that help farmers increase efficiency while minimizing their environmental impact.
These women demonstrate that entrepreneurship, when paired with a commitment to environmental stewardship, can profoundly impact both consumers and the planet. By creating businesses rooted in sustainability, they are empowering families to make better choices for the future and spreading awareness about the power of intentional living.
Together Towards a Greener Future
While the battle against climate change is a collective effort, moms are undeniably at the frontlines, tackling the issue from multiple angles. In reality, moms don’t get enough credit for all their invisible work — as Lauren Spigel, a senior research specialist at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, wrote in essay in HuffPost about her first year of parenting: “The work came with some excellent perks — namely, a daughter who makes me proud every day — but the job was unpaid and largely unseen.”
Adding climate change to the mix can seem like another burden. But it can also be — as the mom eco-preneurs I quoted above have done — be an opportunity to be seen, and for our innovations and learnings to make a difference for others. Whether managing waste at home, advocating for cleaner policies, or raising eco-conscious kids, moms are at the forefront of the climate movement.
