These past weeks, the world caught on fire. Literally. From the Amazon to Siberia, from sub-Saharan Africa to Greenland major fires are burning, causing many to flee their homes and incinerating fragile ecosystems critical to our planet.
Our hearts break for affected local communities and for the Indigenous peoples who have called these lands home for millennium, for the thousands and thousands of unique and diverse species that inhabit the forests, and for the trees who have stood tall providing our entire planet with the air we need to breathe.
We are in a climate emergency and
b
usiness as usual can no longer be tolerated.
Governments and corporations must be held accountable, and our movements will continue taking action until bold and transformative changes are made. Collectively, we can be the rain and water needed to put these literal and metaphorical fires out, bringing new growth to upend the status quo.
At this moment in time, all our voices and actions are crucial.
In this newsletter you will find ways to take action in the coming months - join a Climate Strike, hold government officials accountable, participate in rallies for the Amazon, uplift the voices of women climate justice leaders, and more. When each of us speaks up and takes action for the places and people that we love, we can change the socio-ecological landscape. W
ill you join us?
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Sônia Guajajara, National Coordinator for the Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB). Photo Credit: WECAN International
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Since his inauguration, Brazilian Pres
ident Jair Bolsonaro has worked to
dismantle key protections and policies that protect the rights of Indigenous peoples and the Amazon in Brazil. His regime's devastating assaults on social and environmental protections has led to a surge in deforestation and Indigenous and human rights abuses.
Scientists
have made it clear that many of the fires in the Amazon are human-made and cattle ranchers and farmers in Brazil have confirmed their handiwork. This social and ecological destruction originates with President Bolsonaro's anti-environmental and anti-Indigenous rhetoric, which falsely asserts that the protection of forests and Indigenous rights are obstacles to economic growth. In this political landscape with encouragement from Bolsonaro, farmers and ranchers are lighting fires with impunity in order to expand their enterprises.
For a fuller analysis please see this recent article
by WECAN International's Executive Director, Osprey Orielle Lake, which features an interview with prominent Indigenous leader, Sônia Guajajara, National Coordinator for the Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB).
Sônia's words and activism remind us of the deep resilience and power of Indigenous women who are central leaders in the fight for global climate justice.
On August 13th, Indigenous women from across Brazil came together in the country's capital of Brasília to oppose Bolsonaro's current attacks, and to visibilize the leadership of Indigenous women in protecting human rights and defending the Amazon. Indigenous activist and journalist, Daiara Tukano was on the ground for this historic moment, livestreaming on behalf of WECAN International.
Indigenous women at the frontlines of the first Indigenous Women's March in Brasília, Brazil. Photo Credit: Selma Gomes via APIB's Facebook page.
For more information about the situation in Brazil,
WATCH this video
from Daiara Tukano detailing the struggle and resistance of Indigenous peoples in Brazil. (The video is in Portuguese and English subtitles are available if you click on the closed captions button on Youtube.)
We hold the Amazon in our minds and hearts as we continue to advocate and stand with all Indigenous land defenders and allies who fight for the forests and our collective future.
Act for the Amazon now:
1.DONATE to the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), a frontline Indigenous organization in Brazil working on the ground to address the fires and the current attacks on their communities.
2.
PARTICIPATE
in the Global Day of Action for the Amazon on September 5th. The Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), Amazon Watch and Extinction Rebellion have called for international solidarity in response to the fires and ever-increasing threats from Bolsonaro's regime.
Learn more and register here.
3.
SHARE
this article to help raise awareness about the situation in Brazil.
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#GlobalClimateStrike and ClimateWeek
September 20 - 27
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This September, WECAN International is heeding the call of millions of youth leaders around the globe to join them in raising our voices to demand climate action.
Young activists worldwide have been leaving their classrooms every Friday to demand action on climate change. They are now calling on everyone of all ages and walks of life to join them in massive climate strikes and a week of action starting on September 20th, coinciding with the United Nations Climate Summit in New York City on September 23rd.
WECAN International pledges to join the #GlobalClimateStrike
and will be on each coast in the United States,
participating in and livestreaming strikes in San Francisco and New York City.
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Art by David Solnit
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Will you #strikewithus?
Please keep scrolling for more information about the climate strikes in San Francisco and New York City.
If you can't join us in New York or San Francisco, f
ind maps of all global climate strikes at the links below:
Together, we will sound the alarm and show our politicians that business as usual is no longer an option. The climate crisis won't wait, so neither will we.
The United Nations Climate Summit will kick off a week of climate events and actions in New York City, and WECAN International will be there to highlight the vit
al stories and actions of grassroots women leaders. We will be
advocating at the summit, participating in critical exchanges with government officials, organizing events and actions, and, through it all, uplifting the solutions of frontline women.
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Women on the Frontlines of Climate Solutions
September 24, 2019
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In the face of the hottest temperatures ever recorded and the devastating impacts of environmental degradation, the solutions of women on the frontlines of climate change could not be more important. Women have always been on the frontlines, now it is time for us to be
recognized
at the forefront of climate solutions.
With this in mind, we welcome you to join WECAN International for a free public event highlighting the work and projects of the WECAN International Network and women worldwide who are leading resistance movements and divestment campaigns, protecting forests and reforesting, advocating for Indigenous rights, building climate solutions, and so much more.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 5:00 - 6:30 PM ET
WHERE: Church Center of the United Nations - CCUN, 777 United Nations Plz, New York, New York 10017
ABOUT THE EVENT:
We know that we are in dire need of a paradigm shift and an upwelling of global action, if we want to take meaningful action on the climate crisis. It is critical that women worldwide are engaged in policy advocacy, on-the-ground projects, direct action, trainings, and movement building for global climate justice.
During this event, WECAN International is honored to announce our Global Hubs; facilitate an in-depth conversation on our political analysis, current programs, projects and campaigns (including Women for Forests from the Tongass to the Amazon to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegations, Women Speak Media, and other projects); share our goals for the upcoming UN climate talks; and uplift the stories and actions of women globally who are rising for climate justice.
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A Feminist Agenda for the Green New Deal
September 24, 2019
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The proposed Green New Deal has sparked an important, overdue national conversation around the urgent work needed to confront the global climate crisis, and it also offers a foundation for movement building, education and strategic advocacy. In this moment where climate has broken onto the national stage, consistently ranked as the number one issue for voters across the United States, critical feminist and climate justice voices have stepped up to offer important perspectives on bringing an intersectional and feminist perspective to the policy discussion.
Join a collective of women's groups for the launch event!
WHAT: Launch of the Feminist Agenda for the Green New Deal
WHEN: Tuesday, September 24, 2019, 6:45 - 8:00 PM ET
WHERE: Church Center of the United Nations, - CCUN, 777 United Nations Plz, New York, New York 10017
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'Women for Climate Justice' Contingent at the Global Climate Strike in San Francisco
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On September 20, 2019 please join WECAN International in San Francisco as we organize together as women, girls, allies, and a diverse coalition of women's groups, climate justice organizations, and others - to strike together in solidarity as part of the Global Climate Strike.
We were elated by the amazing group of women and allies who joined us last year for the 'Women for Climate Justice' contingent during the 'Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice' March to showcase and demonstrate the many effective, just and safe climate solutions, strategies and political calls that are being implemented by women and girls around the world on a daily basis. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, we hope you will join us this year!
WHEN:
10:00 AM,
September 20, 2019
WHERE:
San Francisco Federal Building, 90 7th Street, San Francisco , CA 94103
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Global Climate Strike in New York City
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WECAN International will also be on the ground at the New York City Climate Strike with Greta Thunberg and many remarkable youth leaders. We will rally and march through downtown Manhattan to demand real action by our elected officials and live-stream the voices of young women striking for the climate.
WHAT: New York City Climate Strike
WHEN: 12:00 PM, Friday, September 20, 2019
WHERE: Foley Square, New York City, NY 10013
HOW:
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Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegation and Allies Seek Justice During Equator Principles Consultation Process
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"...It is imperative that the global community heeds the demands of Indigenous land defenders and water protectors and divests from the carceral and extractive infrastructures that are killing our planet. We call upon powerful financial institutions to reinvest these funds in measures that will ensure equality for all, including renewable energy, education, universal healthcare, clean water and air, healthy foods, and housing."
Dr. Melanie K. Yazzie (Bilagáana/Diné) - Assistant Professor of Native American Studies and American Studies at the University of New Mexico and National Chair of The Red Nation
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Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegates,
Michelle Cook (Diné/Navajo),
Founder of Divest Invest Protect campaign and Co-Director of the Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegations; and
Dr. Melanie K. Yazzie (Bilagáana/Diné),
Assistant Professor of Native American Studies and American Studies at the University of New Mexico and National Chair of The Red Nation, along with Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of WECAN International and Co-Director of the Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegations in Toronto for the EP Banks Consultation Meeting on July 30th. Photo Credit: WECAN International
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On July 30th, a fifth Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegation and allies led by 'Divest, Invest, Protect' and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International traveled to Toronto, Canada to meet with the Equator Principles Association or 'EP Banks' as they facilitated an external consultation process in regards to revising the Equator Principles (EP).
The EP Banks are a group of over 90 of the world's biggest banks who have signed-on to adhere to a voluntary set of principles enshrined in the "Equator Principles" document. As stated on the EP banks website, the Equator Principles is used as "a risk management framework, adopted by financial institutions
for determining, assessing, and managing environmental and social risk in projects and is primarily intended to provide a minimum standard for due diligence and monitoring to support responsible risk decision-making."
The revision of the EP is critical for holding financial institutions accountable for their investments. The Delegation advocated to strengthen the EP and demand that banks stop financing activities that commit Indigenous and human rights abuses and further harm the global climate.
"Divestment from dirty fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure demonstrates a commitment to our collective future and the web of life. What is needed immediately from the EP banks and all financial institutions is a show of leadership and dedication to ecological sustainability and respect for human and Indigenous rights, as we face the unprecedented challenges of a world plunging into climate chaos. The current revision of the Equator Principles is fully inadequate and does not address the urgent needs and demands of communities most impacted by the investments of the EP banks. The Delegation called for justice and accountability, and to say no to business as usual. Now is the time to stop human rights violations from fossil fuel extraction to detention centers, and instead rapidly invest in renewable and regenerative energy, economic and ecological justice, and healthy communities for all." Osprey Orielle Lake - Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) and Co-Director of the Indigenous Women's Divestment Delegations
The Delegation participated in the face to face consultation in Toronto, as well as online meetings. We recommend changes to the EP revisions that adhere to the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement and that uphold Indigenous Rights in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including specific reference to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent.
WECAN International will continue to participate in and monitor this vital process.
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Forest
Action Alert:
Sign The Letter
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Right now, the California Air Resources Board, the state's leading climate regulator, is preparing to green light tropical forest carbon offsets for use by global polluters.
The California Air Resources Board wants to let big polluters off the hook (even more) for their carbon emissions. This means a major loophole to allow Big Oil to continue fracking, drilling and refining in California. This ruling can also lead to forcing Indigenous peoples off their lands in order for them to be used to absorb California's emissions.
While communities and Indigenous peoples have been able to delay this proposal up until now - today, we need your help!
Tell the California Air Resources Board: polluters need to keep fossil fuels in the ground, not buy their way out of the problem! Sign the letter here.
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Trump Seeks to
Devastate the Tongass Rainforest
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The WECAN Tongass delegation and allies rally in support of the 2001 National Roadless Rule outside the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. Photo Credit: WECAN International
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This is the newest in a long line of attacks on the 2001 Roadless Rule, a critical bill for protecting forests in the United States, including the Tongass National Forest, from further extractive industries.
Currently, Alaskan congressional members are attempting to exempt the Tongass from the Roadless Rule, which will lead to devastating industrial logging, destruction of Indigenous life-ways and wildlife habitat, and further harm to the climate. Along with allied organizations, we are fighting back!
In the coming months, we expect the U.S. Forest Service to publish a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which will be open to public comments.
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The Global Alliance of Territorial Communities invites you to share gratitude for all land defenders who are working on the frontlines of climate change to advance climate solutions and mitigate climate disaster.
S
end a
thank you note by September 10th to the Guardians of the Forest in the form of a photo or a short video using the hashtag #GuardiansOfTheForest.
During the UN Summit for Climate Change, they will project the pictures and videos on public buildings in NYC and will call on decision makers from all over the world to take a stand in support of our communities.
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EVENT: Eagle ~ Condor Action for Brazil
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WECAN International and allies rallying outside the Permanent Mission of Brazil in New York City during the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues earlier in 2019.
Photo Credit: Teena Pugliese/WECAN International
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WHEN:
Friday August 30th, from 9:00 - 11:30 AM
WHERE:
300 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94104
The Amazon is burning at an unprecedented speed. Ranchers and cattle farmers are burning territory clearing it and creating pastures for cattle, and big agriculture to take over and buy their property. Indigenous people, animals, plants are losing their homes and lives in this historic decimation of the lungs of our planet. President Jair Bolsonaro initially blamed environmentalists for the fires, and later announced the country didn't have any money to fight the fires. The devastation is nearly beyond comprehension and the consequences on the entire planet are unimaginable.
Join this action and stand in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples and territories in the Amazon. Thank you to the Brazil Solidarity Network!
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The International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF), a consortium of 30 global sovereign wealth funds, will hold there annual meeting in Juneau, Alaska this September.
WECAN International will be on the ground with local groups calling for the IFSWF United States member, the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, to divest from fossil fuels,
following in the footsteps of member countries like New Zealand and Ireland.
Stay tuned for more on our developing action calling for Sovereign Wealth Funds to divest!
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Xiye Bastida, Fridays For Future NYC - Core Committee member, and
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez of Earth Guardians meet in Colorado and discuss plans for the September 20th Climate Strikes with
Osprey Orielle Lake
, Executive Director of WECAN.
Photo credit: WECAN International
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Katherine Quaid, WECAN Communications Coordinator (Bottom Right) joined a panel discussion with Jamie Margolin, Founder and Co-Executive Director, ZeroHour,
Vic Barrett, Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), Our Children's Trust, Tonyisha Harris, Environmental Justice Organizer, Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), and Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals
for Climate Action to discuss the
youth climate movement.
Photo Credit: Jamie Margolin
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