For the Earth and Future Generations 
WECAN International/WECC Newsletter
November 4, 2014
From the WECAN Team
Dear Friends and Allies, 

As we head into the long nights of the Autumn/Winter cycle, we are taking stock of past months. As many of you surely know, the year 2014 will likely be the hottest on record, and climate impacts are quickly becoming more visible and threatening to the Earth and communities across the globe. At the same time, we are witnessing a great upwelling of mobilization for climate justice and solutions; hundreds of thousands took to the streets for the People's Climate March, powerful local struggles are expanding, renewable energy and localization efforts are growing, and people worldwide are rising up to demand action from world leaders. 

The final section of the world's most internationally accepted and comprehensive scientific report on climate change, the IPCC AR5, was released this week and we want to highlight an important breakthrough; the concept of completely "phasing out" fossil fuels and driving carbon emissions to zero is now officially being discussed in the UN and international media. The message of the report is as clear as ever: we are facing a dire crisis, there are ways to mitigate the worst impacts, but we must take action immediately. As the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN International) has been stating in all of our actions and reports: we can act now, we must act now. Read on to learn about our recent mobilizing efforts in New York City, our newly released Women's Climate Action Agenda, and upcoming work in Lima, Peru during the UNFCCC climate negotiations. 
womeninactionClimate Women in Action
WECAN International at the People's Climate Marchclimatemarch

There is nothing quite so moving as the energy emanating from hundreds of thousands of people moving as one, arms linked, voices raised in fierce determination. On Sept. 21, WECAN International joined more than 400,000 people in the streets of New York City for the People's Climate March, mobilizing as part of the 'Women For Climate Justice' contingent and with allies from the Indigenous and frontline communities who led the march. Continue reading here for reflections on the day of action, the importance of issues of climate justice, respecting frontline and Indigenous communities, and maintaining strength moving forward. To view the full photo album, please visit our Facebook page. 
UNsummitStrengthening the Voice of Women at the U.N. Climate Summit 

On Sept. 23 a team of WECAN International members and allies attended the United Nations Climate Leadership Summit as part of the small civil society delegation. WECAN representatives used this opportunity to strengthen the voice of women and frontline communities, while advocating against false solutions to the climate crisis and in favor of addressing root causes, economic injustices, 100% renewable energy, and systemic change. Read more about the Summit and WECAN International's involvement here.
womenleadingsolutions'Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change' Event Recap
Women are facing the realities of the climate crisis on a daily basis and are rising around the world to lead the way toward solutions. Recognizing the imperative of amplifying these critical voices, WECAN International held 'Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change' on Sept. 22. The diverse group of presenters spoke with passion on experiences at the forefront of the resistance to rampant tar sands destruction, oil extraction in the Amazon Basin, desertification in Western Africa, and much more. They presented strategies for creating a 100% renewable energy future, developing deep solidarity, confronting underlying injustices, and re-visioning our relationship with the Earth. Click here to learn more about these women leaders and the powerful messages shared at our event.
Lessons from 'Rights of Nature & Systemic Change in Climate Solutions'

Continuing our week of mobilization in New York City, WECAN International presented 'Rights of Nature and Systemic Change in Climate Solutions' in collaboration with the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. The event focused on the need to re-design our political, economic, and legal structures to function within a framework of inviolable Rights of Nature. Presenters spoke on how Rights of Nature can be used as a tool to protect the Earth and its communities, and to confront corporate exploitation. Crucially, the event focused on respect and recognition of Indigenous knowledge, which is core to this powerful framework. Explore details, quotes, ideas, and photos here.
We can act now, we must act now to re-vision our broken system and build a healthy future. Released on Sept. 9, 2014, the Women's Climate Action Agenda is a bold analysis and plan of action that addresses the root causes of the climate crisis and interrelated issues of social justice. Click here to learn more about the Action Agenda and our advocacy work, or download the full document here. 

This December 2014, WECAN International & allies will be on the ground for the 2014 UNFCCC COP20 climate change negotiations in Lima, Peru. Actions and events will include:lima
  • International Rights of Nature Ethics Tribunal -Lima: Dec. 5-6. Read more here.
  • Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change- Lima: Dec. 8. Forum highlighting (1) Indigenous women on the frontlines of forest protection and resistance to extractive industries, (2) implementation of 100% renewable energy, (3) a just transition to a clean energy economy, (4) the newly released Women's Climate Action Agenda, and more.
  • Advocacy at COP20 with the Global Gender and Climate Alliance (GGCA) and the Women and Gender Constituency. 
  • WECAN International formal UN side event at the UNFCCC COP20 in collaboration with allies at Amazon Watch: Dec. 9.                                               
  • People's March in Lima, Peru: Dec. 10

 

 
In This Issue

Photos by Emily Arasim
blogNew WECAN International Blog:

Visit our blog
 
Find WECAN on Social Media
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 wallofwomenWall of Women Action
 
Thank you to everyone who joined in demonstration as part of our Sept. 21 and 22 'Wall of Women Action' in New York City and internationally. Click here to view photos and statements submitted by climate women and communities across the globe.
jointhemovementJoin the Movement
ussummitU.S. Women's Earth & Climate Summit

This September 2015, WECAN International will host the U.S. Women's Earth & Climate Summit, bringing together diverse leaders from across the nation to confront critical climate issues and collaboratively build solutions. Click here for ways to get involved.
declaration Sign the WECAN Women's Climate Declaration

Check out the new Declaration Webpage to read, sign, and share the Women's Climate Declaration. For Arabic, Spanish, French, and Italian translations, please visit the WECAN website.

 Help WECAN International leaders & our Indigenous allies get to the 2014 United Nations Climate Negotiations and mobilizing events in Lima, Peru. 

 

Thank you for your continued support of our work for Climate Justice and care for the Earth and Future Generations, 

Osprey Orielle Lake & the WECAN International/WECC Team  
 

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