“(CNN)Climate-related disasters, extreme weather events and depleting water sources affect everyone on earth, but studies show that women are disproportionately impacted by global warming. Women in developing countries are particularly at risk as they are often poorer and more dependent on natural resources than men, according to the United Nations. On International Women’s Day, we profile five initiatives led by women fighting for a greener planet.”
“Frustrated by the lack of environmentally friendly food, toiletries and cleaning products in Quebec, Canada, Andréanne Laurin decided to open the province’s first zero-waste shop in 2016. With three other women, Laurin founded Épicerie Loco, a store in Montreal which only sells organic, eco-friendly products in reusable containers. “Supermarkets in Montreal waste around 10 percent of their food every day. Our waste [output] is no more than one or two percent,” Laurin told CNN. Leftover food does not get thrown in the bin at the end of the day, but instead is reworked into ready meals, she said. “We don’t accept anything that isn’t brought to us in a zero-waste container,” store manager Benedicta Porter told CNN, adding that they have completely eliminated single-use packaging by starting a glass jar deposit scheme.
