Cultivating change: climate education, supporting rural women with sustainable practices – EnviroNews

Education plays a key role in combating climate change. By providing knowledge and skills related to environmental sustainability, we can empower communities to take action and make a tangible difference.

One of the most impactful ways to achieve this is through climate education, particularly focusing on teaching rural women tree-planting and briquette-making techniques. These practices not only contribute to environmental protection but also provide socio-economic benefits to the communities involved.

Climate education involves teaching individuals about the science of climate change, its impacts, and the strategies needed to mitigate and adapt to its effects. It is essential to fostering an informed and engaged population capable of making sustainable choices. For rural women, who often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, climate education can be transformative. It equips them with the knowledge to protect their environment, improve their livelihoods, and increase the resilience of their communities.

Teaching tree-planting techniques offers numerous benefits. Trees play a key role in combating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They also help prevent soil erosion, increase biodiversity and provide habitats for wildlife. By teaching rural women how to plant and care for trees, we are enabling them to make a direct contribution to environmental conservation and restoration. Trees provide essential ecosystem services that maintain the balance of natural environments.

They act as carbon sinks, drawing CO2 from the atmosphere and mitigating the effects of climate change. The presence of trees also helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion and conserving water resources. These environmental benefits are crucial for maintaining agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in rural areas. Tree planting can also be a source of income for rural women. Trees, such as fruiting varieties, can provide food and income, while lumber trees can be sustainably harvested for timber.

This economic empowerment helps improve the lives of women and their families. For example, fruit trees offer a dual benefit: they contribute to food security by providing a steady supply of fruit, and generate income from selling surplus produce. Timber trees, when harvested sustainably, can provide materials for construction, furniture, and other uses, creating economic opportunities and improving living conditions. The financial independence gained through these activities can greatly improve the lives of rural women, enabling them to support their families and invest in their future.

In addition, trees help build resilient communities by providing shade, reducing the impact of natural disasters such as floods, and improving soil fertility. These benefits improve overall quality of life and reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Tree shade helps moderate temperatures, creating a more comfortable and livable environment. In times of extreme weather, trees act as natural buffers, reducing the severity of flooding and protecting infrastructure and homes. The improved soil fertility that comes from trees increases agricultural productivity and ensures the sustainability of agricultural practices.

The benefits of teaching rural women to make briquettes are equally significant. Briquettes are a sustainable alternative to traditional wood fuel. Made from agricultural waste such as sawdust, rice husks and other biomass materials, briquettes reduce the need for deforestation and help manage agricultural residues effectively.

By teaching rural women how to make briquettes, we reduce pressure on forests and promote cleaner, more sustainable fuel options. Using agricultural waste to make briquettes solves two key problems: it provides a sustainable source of energy and reduces the accumulation of waste that could otherwise contribute to environmental degradation.

This innovative approach to energy production is in line with the principles of the circular economy, ensuring efficient use of resources and minimising waste. Traditional cooking methods using wood or charcoal produce noxious smoke, leading to respiratory and other health problems. Briquettes burn more cleanly and efficiently, reducing indoor air pollution and improving the health of women and their families.

Smoke from traditional cooking fuels contains harmful pollutants that pose serious health risks, especially for women and children who spend a lot of time near cooking fires. By switching to briquettes, households can significantly reduce their exposure to these pollutants, resulting in better respiratory health and overall well-being.

The production and sale of briquettes can become a profitable income-generating activity for rural women. It creates opportunities for entrepreneurship and financial independence, enabling women to contribute to the development of their households and communities economically. The briquette production process involves several stages, from the collection and processing of raw materials to the production and marketing of the final product.

Each stage offers employment opportunities and the potential for skill development. Women briquette makers can start small businesses, generating income and contributing to the local economy. This economic empowerment raises their social standing and allows them to invest in education, healthcare and other essential services for their families.

Briquettes also provide a reliable and sustainable source of energy. Unlike wood, which can be scarce and expensive, briquettes can be produced locally, providing rural communities with access to affordable and sustainable fuel. Local briquette production reduces dependence on external energy sources and ensures energy security. It also promotes the use of renewable energy sources, contributing to the overall sustainability of energy systems. By adopting briquettes as a primary fuel source, rural communities can achieve greater energy independence and resilience.

The success of climate education and sustainable practices can be seen in different regions of the world. In Kenya, the Green Belt Movement, founded by Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, successfully mobilized women to plant over 51 million trees. This initiative not only reforested large areas but also empowered women economically and socially.

The Green Belt Movement serves as a model for similar initiatives around the world, demonstrating the transformative power of engaging women in environmental protection and sustainable development. By leveraging the knowledge and skills of women, the movement has achieved significant environmental and socio-economic outcomes, contributing to the overall well-being of communities.

In Nigeria, organizations like the Climate Action Team Initiative have played a key role in teaching rural women tree-planting and briquette-making techniques. These efforts have led to significant improvements in environmental, health, and economic conditions in participating communities. The Climate Action Team Initiative’s programs focus on building women’s capacity to adopt sustainable practices and take on leadership roles in their communities. By providing training, resources, and ongoing support, the initiative empowers women to make positive changes and create a more sustainable future for themselves and their families.

To maximize the impact of climate education, it is essential to integrate these practices into broader development programs. Governments, NGOs and private sector partners should work together to provide resources, training and support to rural women. This includes access to high-quality seeds, tools and materials for briquette production, as well as ongoing education and capacity-building programs.

By fostering partnerships and leveraging resources, stakeholders can create a supportive ecosystem that enables women to thrive and contribute to sustainable development. Comprehensive support systems that address the diverse needs of rural women are essential for the success and scalability of climate education and sustainable practices.

Investing in climate education and supporting rural women with sustainable practices can have a knock-on effect that benefits the environment, improves livelihoods and strengthens communities. This is a powerful strategy for achieving sustainability and building a more resilient and equitable world. The benefits of teaching rural women tree-planting and briquette-making techniques are numerous.

These practices promote environmental protection, improve health outcomes, provide economic opportunities, and increase community resilience. By prioritizing climate education and supporting sustainable initiatives, we can empower women to become champions of change and stewards of a sustainable future. Through their leadership and participation, rural women can drive transformation toward more sustainable and resilient communities, ensuring better quality of life for current and future generations.

Author: Halima Imam, [email protected]