From Kyoto’s sacred mountains to the Sea of Japan - and into the depths with the legendary Ama divers - a global movement of women redefines what climate leadership looks like.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - SINGAPORE - April 2026

In a world searching for scalable climate solutions, Her Planet Earth is taking a different path - one rooted not in theory, but in lived experience, ancestral knowledge, and the quiet power of women.

In October 2026, the organisation will lead its 20th all-female expedition: a seven-day, 80-kilometre “Mountain to Sea” journey across Kyoto Prefecture’s remote interior, culminating at Amanohashidate on the Sea of Japan.

This is not simply an expedition.
It is a statement.

A team of 12 women will traverse ancient trade routes, forested passes, and rural communities - not to conquer a landscape, but to connect with it, and to spotlight one of the most under-recognised forces in climate resilience: women.

The expedition aims to raise US$50,000 in support of Conservation International Fiji, funding women-led seaweed initiatives that sit at the intersection of livelihoods, biodiversity, and climate adaptation.

Where Tradition Becomes Blueprint

Alongside the trek, part of the team will travel to Ise-Shima to meet Japan’s legendary Ama divers - a community of female free divers whose practice spans more than 2,000 years.

Diving without oxygen, often into their 70s, the Ama harvest pearls, shellfish, and seaweed using techniques passed down through generations. They represent a rare model of coexistence with the ocean - one that modern sustainability frameworks are only beginning to understand.

Their leadership is not performative.
It is precise, enduring, and deeply ecological.

In many ways, their story mirrors that of the women supported through this expedition in Fiji - women whose knowledge is inherited, whose livelihoods are shaped by nature, and whose role in climate resilience remains critically undervalued.

A Journey Through the Soul of Japan

The route follows historic merchant trails through Kyoto’s mountainous hinterland - weaving through cedar forests, quiet valleys, and disappearing rural villages before reaching Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s most iconic coastal landscapes.

Participants will stay in intimate, family-run inns, directly supporting local economies and preserving forms of cultural heritage increasingly at risk.

Japan offers something rare in today’s world:
a lived philosophy of restraint, respect, and relationship with nature.

This expedition is designed to experience that philosophy, not observe it.

Why This Matters Now

Climate resilience is not a future ambition. It is already being built - often quietly - by women.

Funds raised will support Conservation International’s work in Fiji, where women in coastal communities sustainably harvest nama (sea grapes) using generations of ecological knowledge.

With access to processing infrastructure, financial literacy, and markets, these women are not only strengthening their own livelihoods - they are restoring ecosystems and redefining what a regenerative economy can look like. It is investment in systems that already work.

And it is a reminder that those most affected by climate change are often those best positioned to respond to it.

“This expedition is a reminder that some of the most powerful climate solutions are already being led by women - quietly, locally, and with extraordinary resilience. From Japan to Fiji, we want to honour that wisdom and help channel more visibility and support towards it.” - Christine Amour-Levar, Founder, Her Planet Earth

Adventure as a Catalyst for Systems Change

Her Planet Earth has built a global community around a simple but powerful idea: that challenge can unlock perspective - and perspective can drive action. From Antarctica to the world’s most remote deserts and mountain ranges, each expedition is designed to do more than inspire. It is designed to fund, to amplify, and to connect. The Japan expedition marks a milestone - the organisation’s 20th journey - and signals a deeper alignment between experience and impact.

At its core is one of the most overlooked climate solutions of our time:

Seaweed.

A resource that sits at the intersection of carbon sequestration, food security, biodiversity restoration, and women’s economic empowerment.

A New Model for Travel - and Leadership

As demand grows for experiences with meaning, Her Planet Earth is shaping a new model:

Immersive, yet intentional
Transformational, yet grounded
Personal, yet globally relevant

From Kyoto’s sacred paths to the depths of the ocean with the Ama, this journey is anchored in a simple truth:

When women move with purpose, they do not just cross landscapes - they reshape systems.

About Her Planet Earth

Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, Her Planet Earth is a non-profit organisation and global women’s advocacy movement working at the intersection of female empowerment and environmental conservation. Through bold, self-funded expeditions to some of the world’s most remote and threatened regions - from the Arctic to the Antarctic - the organisation raises awareness for sustainability while directing funds to projects that strengthen climate resilience for women and communities on the frontlines of environmental change.

Her Planet Earth supports a diverse portfolio of initiatives across wildlife conservation, regenerative agriculture, coral reef restoration, reforestation, seaweed farming, and community-based livelihood development. Its work has included coral restoration and sustainable farming projects in the Philippines; reforestation, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and youth-led climate action training for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh; agricultural programs in Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, and Laos; support for baby elephant sanctuaries in Kenya; and initiatives that enhance the livelihoods of women herders in Mongolia.

Each program is designed to strengthen the resilience of women whose lives and communities are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change - ensuring they have the resources, skills, and opportunities not only to adapt, but to thrive and lead within their ecosystems. Bringing together a global network of adventurers, scientists, feminists, and changemakers, Her Planet Earth is redefining what climate action can look like - mobilising resources, elevating women’s leadership, and proving that environmental protection and gender equality are strongest when advanced together.

About Conservation International

Conservation International is a global nonprofit dedicated to protecting nature for the benefit of people and the planet. Working across more than 30 countries, the organisation safeguards critical ecosystems while supporting sustainable livelihoods for local communities. In Fiji, it partners with women-led seaweed cooperatives to strengthen income generation, improve processing capabilities, and expand market access - positioning women as leaders of regenerative, community-based economies.

Team Profiles

The team of this Her Planet Earth Japan Mountain to Sea Expedition 2026 is formed by 12 women of diverse nationalities and backgrounds. While they are all incredibly well accomplished in their careers, they are equally passionate about protecting the environment and empowering underprivileged women.

For media inquiries, please contact: 📧 connect@herplanetearth.com

🌍 Support the Mission & Follow the Journey

Donations can be made via the team’s JustGiving Page to help HER Planet Earth reach its USD 50,000 goal in support of the Conservation International’s Women Seaweed Farmers in Fiji.

To follow the expedition in real-time and stay updated on conservation efforts and stories from the field, connect with Her Planet Earth on social media:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herplanetearth 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herplanetearth 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herplanetearth

For media inquiries:
connect@herplanetearth.com

Pearls, Purpose, and the Power of Women: Her Planet Earth Unveils Landmark 2026 Japan Expedition