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Scottish Sunday

Sisters on the Planet campaign pushes for tougher targets

By Rob Edwards, Environment Editor

WHEN THE weather turns bad, it's the women that suffer. That, in essence, is the message of a new campaign being launched by Oxfam. The international aid agency is highlighting how women around the world are hardest hit by storms, floods and droughts caused by global warming. And it is stepping up pressure on the Scottish government to agree on tough targets to cut the pollution causing the problems.

Climate Change: A Gendered Impact

Women produce most of the food in developing countries. As agricultural workers and family providers, they are responsible for up to 80% of household food production in sub-Saharan Africa and 65% in Asia. "Because women tend to be poorer, and more immediately dependent on the natural environment for their livelihoods, they are more vulnerable to economic shocks and natural disasters," said Oxfam Scotland's campaign manager, Eilidh Whiteford. "Climate-related changes exacerbate existing inequalities. It's a timely reminder that we can't separate environmental concerns from the bigger economic and social picture."

The Sisters on the Planet Campaign

Oxfam's campaign Sisters on the Planet features online videos of women working to combat climate change in Uganda, Bangladesh and Brazil. After the "feeble" response of the G8 leaders in Japan last week, it was even more important for Scotland to take a lead, Whiteford argued. "A strong Scottish climate bill is not just about Scotland playing its part, it's also about raising the bar for other governments." Oxfam is a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, a coalition of more than 30 environment, development, faith, community and other groups with at least 1.5 million supporters. It is pressing ministers to introduce annual targets to cut pollution in the forthcoming climate change bill.

The Vulnerability of Women to Climate Change

Gavin McLellan, head of Christian Aid Scotland, agreed women were more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. "In many rural areas women make up 70% of the workforce, working on land already affected by drought and changing weather conditions," he said. "These are real people suffering now, which is why the Stop Climate Chaos Scotland coalition wants to see rigorously enforced interim targets in the Scottish climate bill, to ensure we really do arrive at its ambitious target of reducing emissions 80% by 2050."

Government Response and Future Plans

The Scottish government has received 21,000 responses to its consultation on a climate change bill, which closed in April. Ministers are expecting to introduce a bill to parliament before the end of 2008.

Impact of Climate Change on Hotels

By [Your Name], Hotel Industry Editor

The effects of climate change are not limited to the agricultural sector. The hotel industry is also experiencing significant impacts due to changing weather patterns and environmental concerns. As extreme weather events become more frequent, hotels are facing challenges in ensuring the safety and comfort of their guests, as well as maintaining their own infrastructure and operations.

Changing Travel Patterns

Climate change is altering travel patterns, with tourists seeking destinations that offer more stable and predictable weather. This shift in preferences can impact the profitability of hotels in regions that are vulnerable to extreme weather events. Hotels in coastal areas and island destinations, for example, may face a decline in bookings as tourists become more concerned about the risk of hurricanes, storm surges, and rising sea levels.

Adaptation and Sustainability

In response to these challenges, many hotels are investing in adaptation measures and sustainable practices. This includes implementing energy-efficient technologies, such as solar panels and efficient cooling systems, to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, hotels are incorporating eco-friendly practices like waste management and water conservation to minimize their environmental impact.

Eco-Tourism and Green Certification

With the growing awareness of climate change and environmental issues, there is also an increasing demand for eco-tourism and sustainable travel experiences. Hotels that adopt sustainable practices and have green certifications can attract environmentally conscious travelers and benefit from this emerging market.

Collaboration and Industry Initiatives

The hotel industry is actively collaborating on sustainability initiatives to address the challenges posed by climate change. Many hotel associations and organizations have established programs to promote sustainable practices among their members. This includes sharing best practices, conducting research on climate change impacts, and developing guidelines for sustainable hotel operations.

Conclusion

The effects of climate change are far-reaching and impact various sectors, including the hotel industry. As customers become more environmentally conscious, hotels must adapt and implement sustainable practices to remain competitive. By prioritizing environmental protection and climate change mitigation, hotels can contribute to a more sustainable future for the industry and the planet.

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