Mumbai Climate Week
By Special Correspondent
Mumbai, India At Mumbai Climate Week, women’s leadership in climate resilience and ocean action took center stage as former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a powerful call to action for South Asia and beyond.
“Women are at the frontlines of climate change in South Asia,” Clinton said during her keynote address. “We are focused on climate, health, and women. Most climate refugees are women.”
Her remarks underscored the urgency of accelerating climate mitigation while scaling localized adaptation strategies to protect vulnerable communities from extreme heat and environmental displacement. She emphasized the importance of cross-sector partnerships with governments, private sector leaders, and philanthropy working together to build durable climate resilience.
Mumbai Climate Week carried more than policy discussions; they carried momentum and action. As the inaugural edition of the climate convening, Mumbai Climate Week successfully brought together global policymakers, philanthropies, business leaders, scientists, and grassroots changemakers, positioning the city as an emerging hub for international climate dialogue and action.
With strong global attendance and cross-sector representation, the gathering signaled a new chapter in South Asia’s climate leadership one grounded in collaboration, innovation, and urgency.
The conference also reflected strong state-level commitment. Maharashtra’s Environment Minister Pankaja Munde reinforced the region’s resolve to advance sustainability and environmental governance. “States have a critical responsibility in shaping climate solutions that directly impact communities,” she noted, highlighting Maharashtra’s ongoing environmental initiatives.
Among the leaders present was Elsie Gabriel, Founder of the Young Environmentalists Programme Trust and Oceans School India, National Coordinator (Oceans) for The Climate Reality Project India & Asia, and International Director of Handicapped Scuba Association USA. Gabriel has long championed ocean literacy, inclusive marine education, and accessible ocean tourism as pillars of climate resilience.
During the event, Elsie Gabriel met with Hilary Clinton where she acknowledged Gabriel’s book, The Wave of Knowledge: Introduction to Ocean Literacy for the Next Generation, recognizing the vital role of ocean literacy in advancing both climate mitigation and adaptation. She further emphasized the importance of women acting across every dimension of climate and ocean leadership.
“Women are not waiting for change we are designing it,” Gabriel said. “From ocean literacy and marine conservation to inclusive blue economy pathways, women are shaping solutions that are regenerative, resilient, and equitable.”
The exchange symbolized a broader shift highlighted throughout Mumbai Climate Week: women are not only among those most affected by climate change they are leading innovation, driving policy conversations, and building community-based solutions that integrate climate, health, and environmental justice.
As global climate pressures intensify, the message resonating from Mumbai was clear: women are not standing at the margins of climate action they are steering its course.
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