Too“hot”to recognize her rights: The impact of climate change on attitude toward gender equality

This study empirically investigates the impact of temperature on attitudes toward gender equality using data from the World Values Survey to develop a gender perception index. Our findings reveal a substantial negative effect of increased maximum temperature on this index. A one-standard deviation rise in temperature correlates with a 4.39% to 6.08% decrease in gender equality attitudes. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that, specifically, men and individuals with lower educational attainment exhibit decreased gender equality attitudes with increasing temperature. Additionally, this temperature-driven decline in gender equality attitudes is significantly pronounced in high-income and non-Muslim countries than in low-income and Muslim-majority countries. This disparity is likely owing to differing social norms regarding gender equality. Among the examined mechanisms— cognitive ability decline, income shocks, and well-being reduction—this study identifies a decline in cognitive abilities owing to temperature increase as the key factor adversely affecting gender equality attitudes. This revelation calls for an expanded perspective on women’s empowerment that considers environmental conditions alongside traditional factors.