Mike Smith, a former US fighter pilot, traded his military career for tree planting and sustainability after witnessing a massive wildfire in his childhood. He later noticed that the climate space is dominated by women, a phenomenon known as the 'green gender gap'.

Research by political scientist Amanda Clayton shows that in wealthier countries, men's concern about climate change decreases, while women's remains stable. The gap grows not because women become more concerned, but because men become more skeptical.

Clayton attributes this to the politicization of climate change in wealthier nations. Right-wing elites promote climate skepticism, targeting men with narratives about losing gas-powered cars and jobs in fossil fuel industries, which are male-dominated.

Psychologist Vidar Vetterfalk from the Swedish organization MÄN works with men to foster connection with nature without assigning blame. He notes that many men have never spoken about these issues in such a way before.

Smith believes his background as a fighter pilot gives him credibility to discuss 'feminine-coded' topics. He argues that engaging men requires giving them a sense of purpose and showing practical benefits, like saving money on fuel. Car companies are also marketing EVs as masculine machines to attract male buyers.

Source: www.dw.com