https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/impact/exploration-women-empowerment-hong-kong

“Gender and climate justice are inseparable. When girls are empowered to understand climate systems and advocate for policy, they become catalysts for systemic transformations.”

Happy Earth Day! The global theme for April 22 this year is “Our Power Our Planet”, stressing the urgent need to scale renewable energy for building a healthy and resilient future for vulnerable communities.

On this special day, I spoke with Salomé Grouard for Tatler Asia, on the interconnections between sustainability, climateaction and female empowerment. It’s humbling to be featured alongside two impactful women leaders Laurel Chor and Carmen Chan. Thank you again to Salomé Grouard for the thoughtful interview and write-up!

Below is my excerpt from the interview:

For Earth Day, Tatler interviewed three Hongkongers on how their expeditions not only fostered personal empowerment but also inspired a deeper responsibility towards the environment and gender issues.

Natalie Chung’s expeditions have deepened her commitment to nature and gender equality
Emerging as a prominent voice in climate education, Natalie Chung has carved a unique path for herself. “My climate journey began when I was 11. I was captivated by an interview with a female Polar explorer, Dr Rebecca Lee, who described the fragile beauty of the Poles,” she recalls, noting that this initial spark ignited a lifelong commitment to protecting our planet. While studying geography at university, she co-founded V’air Sustainability Education, transforming her passion into action through nature-based learning experiences. What started with student-led eco-tours in Hong Kong’s country parks has evolved into a social enterprise that has reached over two million people.

Chung’s adventures have taken her from the icy waters of Antarctica in 2023—where she represented Hong Kong on the Dr Sylvia Earle Antarctic Climate Expedition—to the coastal villages of Fiji in 2024. Collaborating with UNDP Pacific and RTHK for the TV documentary series Climate Insight, she has documented the impacts of climate change and adaptation strategies. “Every expedition has deepened my reverence for nature and my commitment to climate justice,” she states, reflecting on her humbling experiences with communities facing the harsh realities of climate change.

For Chung, addressing gender inequality is essential in the fight for environmental sustainability. “Gender and climate justice are inseparable,” she says, highlighting how women and girls in the Global South are disproportionately affected by climate disasters yet often excluded from decision-making processes. Through V’air, she is dedicated to empowering young girls by creating programmes that blend climate science, storytelling and leadership training. “When girls are empowered to understand climate systems and advocate for policy, they become catalysts for systemic transformations,” she says.

Looking ahead, Chung envisions V’air as a platform nurturing the next generation of Asian female climate leaders. “When girls see women who look like them leading climate action, it redefines what they believe is possible,” she says. Inspired by pioneering figures such as Dr Rebecca Lee and Dr Jane Goodall, she aspires to establish that women belong at the forefront of exploration and leadership.

Link to full article: https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/impact/exploration-women-empowerment-hong-kong