Mothering earth

Holly Tuppen explores how travel can support one of the world's greatest climate crisis mitigation tools: empowering women

Back in 2020, the independent climate research organisation Project Drawdown listed empowering women and girls in developing countries as the second of 76 solutions for curbing global warming. The project estimates that providing girls' education and family planning could decrease carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 68.9 gigatonnes by 2050.

It makes perfect sense when you consider the ripple effect of access to education, family planning and birth control, as slower population growth relieves stress on ecosystems and reduces emissions. The report also found that women in rural areas are more likely to farm sustainably, cultivating a greater variety of crops that support biodiversity and are resilient to climate change, rather than planting monocrops purely for profit.

Alessandra Alonso, managing director of Women in I ravel, an organisation that both trains and supports disadvantaged women to fill multiple roles in the hospitality industry, explains: "Women, globally, not only sit at the heart of communities but are educators. They teach children about the impact of the climate crisis and the importance of respecting our planet. It is impossible to divorce female empowerment and inclusion from sustainable development."

When you consider the role that travel can play in making a positive impact, seeking experiences that empower women is an excellent place to start. As with all responsible tourism, look for empowerment and long-term thinking rather than handouts. There are certainly plenty of options.