The BBC has unveiled its latest 100 Women list for 2023, shining the spotlight once again on the women who are championing women's rights and diversity. For this year, it chose to focus on how the current climate crisis influences the lives of women and girls, awarding the brave women leading the charge against it.
And one of the honorees happens to be Filipina entrepreneur Louise Mabulo.
"I find hope in knowing that movements around the world are being built by people just like me, stewarding a future with green landscapes, that connect communities, where our food is sustainable and accessible, where our economies are circular, and are driven by just, equitable principles," she said in a statement.
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Who Is Louise Mabulo, the Filipino environmentalist and social entrepreneur?
Mabulo was honored for establishing The Cacao Project after the devastation of typhoon Nock-Ten in 2016. The organization focuses on innovative solutions for local food systems through agroforestry in the San Fernando area. Farmers are provided seeds for crops like bok choy, pumpkin, and okra.
By favoring the growth of resilient crops, the project has trained more than 200 farmers in agroforestry techniques and has planted more than 70,000 trees. It is a group that basically empowers the community to take charge in a rural-led green economy. She also founded The Culinary Lounge, another initiative that aids farmers by having them use local ingredients. In 2018, she was even named Outstanding Young Farmer of the Philippines.
Apart from this, she serves as an adviser on international climate policy and a host of a National Geographic mini-documentary called Nat Geo Presents: Food Costs: DIET VS PLANET. Mabulo was recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme as a Young Champion of the Earth and by Forbes in its 30 under 30 Asia list, as well. The Friendship Ambassador Foundation, on the other hand, also acknowledged her as a Friend of Humanity.
"Ground-breaking grassroots women" were a point of emphasis during the selection process.
She was a chef beforehand. One of her most memorable accomplishments was winning the Best Dessert in Asia Award at the Disciples des Escoffier Young Talent Trophy at the Restaurant and Bar Show in Hong Kong.
Mabulo is part of the 28 Climate Pioneers around the world on BBC's list, joining the likes of Brazil's state minister Sonia Guajajara, firefighter Sofia Kosacheva, and climate advisers Iryna Stavchuk and Christiana Figueres. These women have made it their life's work to address the impact of climate change in their respective regions. This announcement coincides with the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, which will be held in Dubai.
In the past, the list has recognized names like the former First Lady of the United States, attorney and campaigner Michelle Obama, footballer Aitana Bonmatí, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, actresses America Ferrera and Dia Mirza, AI expert Timnit Gebru, campaigner Ulanda Mtamba, writer Oksana Zabuzhko, and feminist, activist, and writer Gloria Steinem.
The full BBC 100 Women List 2023 can be found here.
