The U.S. Consulate General recently sponsored the inaugural Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon, aimed at empowering women across the country to combat climate change through technology entrepreneurship.
Held in Lagos, the event was organized by Shelley Taylor, a Silicon Valley technology veteran, and Folawemi Umunna, an alumna of the U.S. Department of State-funded International Visitors Leadership Program, with support from the U.S. Consulate General Lagos.
During the event, U.S. Consulate Deputy Political and Economic Chief Kenise Hill emphasized the importance of including women in climate action to foster a more sustainable and equitable future.
Hill highlighted the strong relationship and cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in addressing shared priorities like environmental protection.
Climate change was acknowledged as a global threat with no borders, prompting the need for collaborative efforts.
Taylor, the Convener of the Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon, stressed that climate change exacerbates gender inequalities, and women often bear the brunt of climate impacts.
One of the goals of the Climate Resilience Salons is to help women working in nonprofits transform their initiatives into profitable businesses centered around climate solutions.
The event also aimed to support existing climate tech founders in scaling their solutions across regions and borders.
The Climate Resilience Salon is part of a coalition of partners from different countries and regions, providing support to women in finding climate solutions through events and a growing network.
Furthermore, the U.S. Mission demonstrated its commitment to environmental conservation as a central aspect of the Biden-Harris Administration’s foreign and domestic policy by supporting initiatives that protect the environment.