Change happens from an emotional place: Zarina Ahmad on rewriting the language of climate action

Although she has always been an environmentalist, she says it was around 15 years ago that she took “a mid-life assessment” that led her into the environmental sector - where she encountered challenges she hadn’t anticipated.

She said: “I came across enough racism to start questioning the world we’re living in.

“The environmental sector is still very white, middle-class, and male. When it comes to decision-making spaces, women remain underrepresented - even though, on the ground, the majority of change-makers in civil society tend to be women.”

This realisation inspired Zarina to focus on intersectionality - understanding how overlapping social identities and inequalities impact people’s ability to engage with climate issues.

Founded in 1988 by feminists passionate about the environment, the Women’s Environmental Network continues to expand under Zarina’s inspiring leadership, with initiatives such as Climate Sisters, a project launched at COP26 in Glasgow. 

It gives women who aren’t seen as “experts” a platform to share knowledge and lived experiences, helping demystify climate jargon and bring community voices into the conversation.

Zarina said: “The conversation has moved to thinking about the intersectionality of different social justices.

“We can’t protect the environment while ignoring poverty or marginalisation. We’ve exploited the earth for its resources, and that’s often been at the expense of people and their land.

“It’s about connecting the dots, between people, planet, and all life on it. We need to think in a much more holistic way.”

Zarina also believes the language of climate action needs to change if it’s going to engage wider society.

“Net zero - who is it for? Who sets that agenda?” she asked. “If I wasn’t working in this space and someone said ‘net zero’ to me, I’d have no clue what it means or how it affects my life.

“These terminologies like low carbon, carbon neutral, net zero, are set by governments and industry. For the everyday person, they mean nothing. What does mean something is how we can improve our lives and the health of the planet.”

For Zarina, the solution lies in making climate language more emotional, relatable, and inclusive.

“Change happens from an emotional place,” she said. “We need to use language that connects with people’s lives - not jargon that shuts them out.”

Despite the challenges, Zarina remains optimistic and action oriented.

“I’m a solutions person. If we’re causing the issues, we can also find the solutions - or simply step back from causing harm in the first place,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Zarina and colleagues at The Women’s Environmental Network will work to see greater collaboration among women’s organisations nationwide, amplifying their collective voice and influence. They will continue to campaign on issues including toxic chemicals in food and beauty products, advocating for better health and environmental justice.

“If the door is slightly open, I push it wider - and then I hold it open for others to come through,” she said. “The more people I can take with me, the more confident I feel.”