By Robert Egbe
The United States Government has thrown its weight behind the first Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon, which held in Lagos at the US Consulate.
A Climate Resilience Salon is a coalition of partners who come together in different countries and regions to support women in finding solutions to climate impacts through events and a growing supportive network.
The Consulate, in a statement Yesterday, noted that the Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon brought together women-led organizations, climate-tech entrepreneurs as well as representatives from public and private sectors who are leading efforts to combat climate change in their communities.
It was organized by Silicon Valley technology veteran Shelley Taylor and an alumna of the U.S. Department of State funded International Visitors Leadership Program Folawemi Umunna, with support from the U.S. Consulate General Lagos.
U.S. Consulate Deputy Political and Economic Chief Kenise Hill reasoned that including women in climate action would help create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Hill identified the shared priority of protecting the environment as another example of the close relationship and cooperation that exists between the people of Nigeria and the United States.
“Climate change is a threat that sees no borders.
“We’re glad to enable this dialogue that gives voice to the women with lived experience of climate impacts and to facilitate their collaboration with women who have developed strategies for creating greater resilience to find shared solutions to our global, shared challenge of climate change,” Hill said.
Taylor, Convener of the event, explained that climate change exacerbates gender inequalities and developmental gaps.
She noted that women have a unique perspective on environmental issues as they often bear the brunt of climate shocks and stresses.
“One of the goals of the Climate Resilience Salons is to help some of the women working in nonprofits to transform their work into businesses where they can generate profits from climate solutions, increasing their family wealth and influence in society.
“Existing climate tech founders need help scaling their solutions into other regions and across borders too,” Taylor added.
The statement noted that environmental conservation is central to the Biden-Harris Administration’s foreign and domestic policy. As such, the U.S. Mission supports initiatives that protect the environment. (Nation)