Welcome to this special bonus episode of our climate podcast series, where your hosts Juliet Kinsman and Simon London headed to We Are Africa, a unique travel-industry get-together in Cape Town.
These are edutaining easy-listening "Africa Edition podcasts" where the conversationalists aren’t shy about exploring the causes, symptoms and solutions when it comes to the climate, you’ll find Juliet and Simon, as ever, discussing serious topical sustainability stories and cultural affairs while they chat with thought-provoking experts — in this case, thought leaders from the luxury travel industry.
Maybe you’re wondering: how can international travel ever be sustainable?
Juliet says: "There are 54 countries in Africa, and collectively they are responsible for less than 4% of the world's CO2 emissions — and yet this is the most vulnerable region in the world when it comes to the climate emergency. The UN puts this down to restricted socio-economic growth in the continent: and when it comes to this community of impact-driven luxury travel hosts, their work bringing in visitors from around the world can and does make a huge difference, since the result of those in the Global North making better travel decisions can mean vital wealth distribution in the fight for better socio-economic uplift in communities that are the most vulnerable to climate change.”
Simon, as ever asks the burning questions — and is there to ensure every conversation also leads to much laughter — however sober the subject matter!
A snapshot of each episode and our expert guests
We Are Africa took place in Cape Town's DHL Stadium, 16-18 May 2023. Each 30-minute podcast stars wise words from a wide range of speakers from the event…
Shaping sustainable travel on the continent
Part 1 includes:
Tell don’t sell: why storytelling matters with esteemed journalists Jane Broughton, Harriett Owalla and Noo Saro-Wiwa
Let’s clean wash the greenwash with Julie Cheetham, Managing Director of Weeva
Redefining luxury with Melony van der Merwe, Trade Ambassador for Weeva
Inspiring climate-friendlier travel on the continent
Part 2 includes:
How women are transforming conservation with Suzanne Bayly of Classic Portfolio and Nwabisa Mjjoli of Weeva
Why the best guest experiences also achieve impact with Louise Cottar of Cottar's Safaris
The secrets to sustainable luxury success with Ruth Crichton and Clayton Niemand from Grootbos
The importance of having a sustainability manager with Prince Ngomane from Tswalu Kalahari
Funny Old World is powered by Weeva — a sustainability data management platform for tourism.
Connect with us across Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn on @JulietKinsman @WeAreWeeva #FunnyOldWorld
Produced by Bouteco, co-produced and edited by Mark Machado of 11-29 Media.
Recorded by Andy Hughes in Love Electric Studios, North London.