We have a powerful line up of work planned between now and the end of the year, and we are dedicated as ever to our precious Earth and our communities. Thank you for being in community with us at this time of both peril and promise. We stand together in solidarity and love!

Please explore our newsletter for ways to take action and for updates on our WECAN events, programming, and advocacy.

We are only two weeks away from the Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice: Solutions from the Frontlines and the Protection and Defense of Human Rights and Nature!

The ‘Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Solutions from the Frontlines and the Protection and Defense of Human Rights and Nature’, is a 6-day free, gender-diverse, public forum to take place virtually September 25-30, 2021, in parallel to the UN General Assembly. We are bringing together over 90 climate leaders from 40 countries for 20 panels to discuss struggles, solutions and visions for global climate justice, including Indigenous rights as a solution; forest protection; feminist climate policies and frameworks; fossil fuel resistance; and much more.

During the Assembly, grassroots, Indigenous, Black, Brown, and frontline women and gender-diverse leaders, global advocates, and policy-makers will join together in solidarity to speak out against environmental and social injustice, draw attention to root causes of multiple interlocking crises, and present the diverse array of visions, projects, policy frameworks and strategies with which they are working to shape a healthy and equitable world. The Assembly is an inclusive space across identities and the gender spectrum.

We are deeply honored to be joined by a growing group of amazing panelists including: Former Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, Indigenous leaders Sonia Guajajara from the Brazilian Amazon and Casey Camp-Horinek of the Ponca Nation, Ruth Nyambura feminist leader from Kenya, Nobel Laureate Jody Williams, Youth Climate Activist Mitzi Jonelle Tan from the Philippines, Dr . Jane Goodall, Climate Leader Naomi Klein, and many other leaders. You can learn more about the amazing group of speakers here. 

The climate crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, and socio-ecological injustices have emerged from interconnected systems of capitalism, racism, the commodification of nature, colonialism, imperialism, and patriarchy. To confront these deepening crises and accelerate a path forward, we need to have collective coherence to address the protection and defense of human rights and nature, and uphold community-led solutions.

Within this struggle, women and feminists must stand at the forefront of policy-making and action. Due to unequal gender norms globally, women are simultaneously the most adversely impacted by climate change and socio-ecological degradation, and yet are indispensable actors and leaders of just and effective solutions. Assembly topics will include the intersectionality of gender, racial and environmental justice; Indigenous rights and resistance efforts; the just transition to renewable, regenerative energy; feminist global policy; women and forest protection and regeneration; fossil fuel resistance campaigns; agro-ecology/farming/soils; environmental racism; feminist care economics and policy agendas; rights of nature; challenging corporate power; and women and feminist leadership across all sectors.

The Assembly will call for urgent action within a climate justice framework and produce an online collection of actions, policy frameworks, and solutions presented at the Assembly to be delivered to global governments, financial institutions and media outlets.

The Amazon rainforest is at a critical tipping point and this week, communities took action to stand in solidarity with Indigenous Land Defenders during the Global Week of Action for the Amazon!

Over the last several years, with an avidly anti-Indigenous president and a National Congress focused largely on the interests of big business, Indigenous peoples in Brazil have experienced extreme setbacks to their constitutionally guaranteed rights, and also increased deforestation and fires in the Brazilian Amazon. In one of the most biodiverse regions of the world, it is imperative that we take action alongside Indigenous leaders to defend Indigenous Rights, Sovereignty, and the Amazon.

As part of this effort, from September 7-11, more than 4,000 Indigenous women of various communities mobilized to lead the Second Indigenous Women's March in Brazil. During the week of protests and action, leaders spoke out for the protection of their lands as well as gender equity and inclusion. The march is part of a series of actions in response to anti-Indigenous governmental policies and frameworks. You can support the organizers of the women's march here.

Indigenous Rights is a climate solution. Over 80% of the biodiversity left on Earth is within the territories of Indigenous Peoples or lands managed by them. When Indigenous communities rights are respected, it is not only morally right, it is also ensuring that places like the Amazon will remain protected for current and future generations.

The Indigenous peoples of Brazil have been mobilizing to send a resounding message as they continue resisting in defense of their sovereignty and rights. Indigenous leaders from Brazil have called for international allies to hold actions in solidarity to echo and amplify their voices. We stand with Indigenous land defenders who are fighting for the protection of their territories, Indigenous rights, and the Amazon rainforest. Learn more about ongoing Brazilian Indigenous-led resistance efforts here.

Throughout the week WECAN took action virtually and in San Francisco — it is more important than ever to stand with Indigenous land defenders who are fighting for the protection of their communities, territories, and our global climate!

At the beginning of September, communities across the Southern part of the United States were hit hard by Hurricane Ida, devastating local communities and ecosystems.

As the climate crisis worsens, we will see more and more hurricanes, famines, and fires. What is needed now is bold action to confront the underlying roots of the climate crisis and support for communities who are on the frontlines of climate chaos.

Please support those impacted by Hurricane Ida through our friends at Another Gulf is Possible: https://anothergulf.com/ida/

For the past two weeks the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) met in Marseille, France to discuss the status of Nature and the measures needed to safeguard the planet.

WECAN, along with partners, advocated at the IUCN to implement Rights of Nature across diverse sectors. Please read our press release here.

Civil society groups pushed for further Rights of Nature action at the Marseille Congress to ensure it remains at the top of the agenda for governments, and that IUCN works towards implementing its commitments under Resolution 100, which is focused on Rights of Nature— this includes the Action Programs and the IUCN World Declaration on the Environmental Rule of Law.

Please see below a recent ENS article that highlights our IUCN advocacy efforts.

Rights of Nature is a framework and legal system based on the recognition and honoring of the Earth’s fundamental and inviolable right to exist, live, thrive, evolve and regenerate.

Learn more about WECAN's Rights of Nature advocacy here.

At the beginning of September, WECAN joined over 20 Indigenous and Environmental organizations in sending an open letter to the remaining insurers of the Trans Mountain Pipeline in Canada, calling for them to stop support of the project. Read the full letter here.

Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director says, "As we know from the IPCC and IEA reports that came out this year, fossil fuels are a dead-end, only leading our planet toward further climate chaos and human and Indigenous rights violations. We must listen to frontline Indigenous leaders who are calling for insurance companies to end insuring all tar sands infrastructure, including the Trans Mountain pipeline."

The existing Trans Mountain pipeline is a major environmental and public health hazard, and the Trans Mountain expansion project would multiply these risks tremendously. The expanded pipeline would carry hundreds of thousands of barrels of tar sands oil, lock in expanded production of the Alberta tar sands, and violate Indigenous rights. Fifteen insurers have ruled out Trans Mountain already and we will continue to pressure the remaining companies until they divest!

“We met with the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders because gross human rights violations are occurring at the hands of police in financial relationship with Enbridge. Minnesota law enforcement has used pain compliance, psychological trauma, threats, rubber bullets, mace, and chemical warfare on people standing up for water which it then bills to a fund Enbridge pays into to the tune of $2M to date — most of these charges are misdemeanors, all of them are non-violent. We pose no threat. Enbridge threatens Anishinaabe cultural survival, the drinking water of millions, and the public’s trust. Since the U.S. government is yet again failing Indigenous people and future generations, we turn to the international community. The world is watching.” Tara Houska (Couchiching First Nation), Founder of Giniw Collective

Representatives from the Giniw Collective and Honor the Earth, with support from the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), met with the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor to share information about escalating concerns of egregious human rights and Indigenous rights violations occurring in Northern Minnesota along the Line 3 tar sands pipeline. Tara Houska (Couchiching First Nation), Founder of Giniw Collective and Winona LaDuke (White Earth Nation), Executive Director of Honor the Earth, have submitted a formal complaint to the Rapporteur.

Directly in response to the meeting, Mary Lawlor, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders sent out a tweet (right) to raise awareness and express her concern.

Citing documentation, reports, and personal accounts, meeting participants discussed human rights defenders opposing the Line 3 pipeline - including Indigenous water protectors, allies, and journalists – having experienced numerous violations of rights in the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Representatives also discussed Free, Prior and Informed Consent as outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

WECAN will be continuing this vital advocacy effort for justice and accountability!

Indigenous-led Water Protectors are taking action every day to stop this pipeline, despite escalating police brutality. Water Protectors have been tear gassed, shot with rubber bullets and detained without medical support, please see the Giniw Collective Facebook page for more updates. Support the bail fund here: http://stopline3bailfunds.org

This October, we are inviting you to join us, along with our partners and thousands of people to come to Washington DC and engage in nonviolent civil disobedience to demand that President Biden end the fossil fuel era. To #BuildBackBetter, we must #BuildBackFossilFree.

Learn more and sign up here: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/people-vs-fossil-fuels/

Fossil fuel pollution and climate disasters are already disrupting millions of lives. We deserve a world beyond fossil fuels: a world in which workers’ rights, community health, and our shared climate come before corporate profits. That’s why we are coming together to ensure Biden becomes the climate president he promised to be before attending the global UN climate talks this November.

The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is an initiative to phase-out fossil fuels and fast-track climate solutions inspired by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Based on 3 pillars:

NON-PROLIFERATION: Preventing the proliferation of coal, oil and gas by ending exploration and production.

GLOBAL DISARMAMENT: Phasing-out existing stockpiles and production in line with Paris 1.5C goal.

PEACEFUL TRANSITION: Fast-tracking solutions and a just transition for every worker, community and country.

We are honored that earlier this year, Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN Executive Director, joined the Steering Committee for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. She will work with global leaders to continue advocating and building support for the treaty.

Please be welcome to read and share some recent pieces featuring the voices and campaign efforts of WECAN below:

Are you interested in helping amplify women’s voices and contribute to WECAN’s social media and online presence? Apply to join our team as the WECAN Social Media Intern today!

The Social Media Intern will work as a volunteer, with WECAN International's Communications Coordinator to contribute to storytelling and advocacy.

In this position, the Social Media Intern will have the opportunity to strengthen their skills in online organizing, communications strategy, and creative storytelling, while connecting with a diverse international network of powerful climate women.

This is a 5-7 hour per week, remote internship with a 4-6 month commitment. Learn how to apply and read the full position description here!

PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! Applications accepted on a rolling basis.