Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International

On this International Women’s Day, we honor the leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment of women in all of their diversity worldwide, who are at the forefront of the fight for climate justice, gender justice, human rights, democracy, and a world liberated from authoritarian, colonial regimes. On this occasion, we honor the lineage of matriarchs who have fought for the rights we have today—rights that are now facing renewed and growing attacks. The struggle is not new, and we can gain strength and wisdom from those who have led before us and from movements around the world. We recognize the fire that we carry within each of us— a fire fueled by a love so fierce and beautiful that it endures and burns stronger in the face of growing tyrannical agendas. In a world shaken by environmental destruction and social injustices, women continue to rise, to resist, to heal, and to lead movements and solutions for an equitable and thriving planet. Together, we are continuing to build pathways forward, standing strong in our collective love and strength as we denounce division and oppressive systems. Across the globe, women and gender-diverse leaders are protecting forests, waters, food systems, and lands; advancing policies that uphold human rights and ecological balance; and standing against extractive industries that threaten communities and ecosystems. Our leadership is not only essential—it is transformative, offering solutions rooted in care, collaboration, justice, joy, and stability. Today, we also uplift the vital and often dangerous work of women land defenders, many of whom face persecution, violence, and criminalization for protecting their lands and peoples. We stand in solidarity with women resisting environmental destruction as well as with those facing war, displacement, and human rights violations. There is no climate justice without human rights. There is no future without the leadership of women in all of their diversity and frontline communities! Please see today's newsletter for more updates:?https://conta.cc/3DcWY8t

Happening tomorrow, please join us! At the 6th International #RightsofNatureTribunal, we’ll hear cases from communities battling mining projects that threaten ecosystems and human rights— from the Amazon rainforest to the biodiverse ecosystems of Serbia. WECAN is honored to co-sponsor and partner in this event as part of our role in the Executive Committee of the Global Alliance for Rights of Nature (GARN). Please join us virtually or in-person to help generate a modality for a thriving future within the Rights of Nature framework. 6th International Rights of Nature Tribunal Saturday, February 28, 2025 University of Toronto, Law School, 78 Queen’s Park, Room J140, Canada Register to participate in person & online: bit.ly/6RonTrib

As we step into 2025, we find ourselves standing at the ongoing crossroads of both crisis and possibility. Across the globe, extreme climate disasters from fires, storms, droughts, and rising seas remind us of the urgent and ever-deepening climate emergency we are facing. These are reminders of Nature working to balance ecosystems in response to detrimental human activity. Yet, even as these challenges loom, WECAN enters this year with even more determination, dedication, and an unstoppable love for our communities and Earth. We are doubling down in our efforts to hold governments, fossil fuel companies, and complicit financial institutions accountable. At the same time we are creating space to generate and nurture the world we know is possible—reforesting the land and our hearts and minds. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community for your unwavering support in this vital work—our successes are shared victories with our coordinators, partners, collaborators, and the entire climate justice movement! In 2025, we are ready to take action for our communities, ecosystems, and climate! Please read today's newsletter for updates from the new year and a special new year's note:??https://conta.cc/4fZ6JEn

On the heels of the?hottest year on record, and only weeks into 2025,?we are?witnessing?some of the world’s largest?banks?backsliding on their climate commitments. This week, six major U.S. banks– Citigroup, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo–pulled out of the?Net Zero Banking Alliance?(NZBA), a UN-convened group committed to aligning lending practices with the Paris Climate Agreement. This exodus came not long after the?Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero?(GFANZ) announced it would drop its requirement for members to have net zero commitments.?U.S. Banks continue to spearhead fossil fuel financing, and?reports show?that they are consistently lagging behind on emissions targets and net zero commitments. Both of these regressions underscore resistance to climate action and climate justice,?exacerbated in the wake of Trump’s second election. Though the NZBA and GFANZ networks are voluntary initiatives, and banks could potentially?meet their existing net zero pledges, this collective backsliding sets a dangerous precedent in a critical time for our planet and communities. In the face of these disappointing announcements, WECAN’s pursuit of transformative policies that prioritize climate justice and human and Indigenous rights will not waver. The stakes could not be higher, especially as we mourn the devastating loss caused by ongoing wildfires in Southern California and climate disasters globally over the past year. Our collective survival demands bold climate action, and we cannot afford for financial institutions to turn their backs on climate commitments. Now is the time to hold financial institutions accountable, demanding an end to fossil fuel expansion and redirecting funds to advance a Just Transition. Please see WECAN’s recent report, “The Need for Real Zero Not Net Zero” where we address concerns about net zero frameworks and the need to better define net zero.?The report explores?and defines Real Zero initiatives that demonstrate alternative practices and pathways forward for a healthy and equitable approach to the climate crisis within Just Transition principles:?https://lnkd.in/gStkv9g8

Approaching the winter solstice, marking the longest night and shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, we are offered a moment to pause and reflect. Across cultures and traditions, this time has uplifted the turning of the seasons and the promise of renewal as the light begins to return. It is a powerful reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the resilience found in embracing periods of stillness and transformation. As we close the year, the season invites us to honor, personally and collectively, the vital work and advocacy of the past year, reconnect with our intentions, and prepare to step into a new chapter with clarity and purpose. 2024 has been a year of profound challenges and opportunities, underscoring the need for transformative and bold action across the globe. Communities have faced escalating climate crises, economic inequities, staggering violence, and geopolitical tensions, yet they have also come together in extraordinary ways to demand justice, equity, and a thriving future. It has been a time to continue uplifting the voices of those on the frontlines—particularly Indigenous peoples, Black and Brown communities, women in all of their diversity, and youth—whose leadership has illuminated pathways toward systemic change. As we look ahead to 2025, we carry forward the momentum of our growing collective power, preparing for challenges and growing threats to communities and ecosystems. We want you to know that WECAN is ready to take action and continue our work to uplift climate justice solutions globally. We are standing strong and clear-eyed about defining our future and caring for all that we love and hold dear. Our hope is rooted in the strength of collectivity and the possibilities for systemic transformation. The work ahead requires courage, collaboration, care, and creativity. Whether through amplifying frontline leadership, advancing ambitious climate policies, implementing on the ground restoration projects, or reinvigorating our relationship with the Earth, each step taken has the potential to bring us closer to a world where people and the planet thrive together. For now, as we close this year and look forward to the next, please join us in reflecting on several highlights from WECAN's 2024 activities, featured in today's newsletter: https://conta.cc/4gHpkW7 #Women4ClimateJustice #ClimateAction #WomenLead

“Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up, the more we take action and do the work, the more hope we generate. If people are sitting back and thinking this is hopeless or too big, we're writing the future of it failing. Instead of writing the future that we want." Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), is spotlighting the planet's hidden healers: WOMEN. ??? Her work proves that uplifting women's leadership is an effective strategy to solving the climate crisis. Together, we can nurture a regenerative future for all generations. ?? Thank you to The Climate Tribe for covering the work of WECAN in this article! #ClimateAction #WomenForClimate #WECAN #HealingEarth #ClimateJustice #WomenLead #WomenSpeak #ClimateSolutions https://lnkd.in/gzrYheXQ

Right now, OECD governments have an opportunity to end $41 billion a year in oil and gas export finance. We need to end finance for fossil fuels and instead invest in climate justice and on the ground solutions and actions to protect communities, ecosystems and our global climate! Specifically in the United States, this would be a long-lasting, binding agreement to outlast the incoming presidency while also freeing up financing for climate finance, just transition, and fossil fuel phaseout. OECD leaders are meeting early this week to come to a final agreement, and we hope all leaders will sign on to ensure this vital and essential step to ending the era of fossil fuels. https://lnkd.in/g99nNqev?

WECAN is seeking a part-time Event Production Coordinator in a contracted position to develop and execute WECAN’s upcoming Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice, a public forum to take place virtually in June 2025. Learn more and apply by November 15: https://lnkd.in/gdywXZh8 The Event Production Coordinator will work remotely under the guidance of WECAN’s executive director and with the support of WECAN staff to develop, produce, and implement technical production for the assembly. With the guidance of the WECAN Executive Director and Program Associate, the Coordinator will lead panel mapping and Zoom production. This role requires a flexible, creative, and strategic thinker who can manage multiple tasks, envision ideas, conduct thorough research across a broad range of topics focusing on cross-sectional climate justice themes, present findings, and has virtual production experience and Zoom expertise. Additional responsibilities include supporting and conducting speaker outreach, writing, and other administrative duties.

WECAN is Hiring for a Communications Associate! WECAN is seeking a long-term Communications Associate to join our dynamic team working for climate justice, systemic change, and women’s and feminist leadership in global climate solutions.?With the guidance of WECAN’s Communications Coordinator, the Communications Associate will work remotely to contribute to storytelling and advocacy on WECAN’s social media platforms, videos, and news articles, in addition to supporting overall communications strategies. Apply by November 6 and learn more: https://lnkd.in/gdywXZh8

Today we launched the newest Escazú Agreement toolkit for Brazil, which provides women land defenders resources to navigate their country's laws to achieve the protections of the Escazú Agreement. Watch the toolkit announcement here: https://lnkd.in/gP2giyfe The Escazú Agreement in Latin America and the Caribbean represents a landmark achievement in the pursuit of environmental justice, transparency, and sustainable development across the Latin American and Caribbean region. However, the journey to accessing these rights can be fraught with legal complexities and barriers, particularly for women who are at the forefront of defending their land and communities. These toolkits aim to support the transformative potential of this historic Agreement to build a thriving and equitable future for all, including those courageous individuals defending land and ecosystems. The toolkit was developed by the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) with support from the Cyrus R. Vance Center international Justice. Learn more about all the toolkits: https://lnkd.in/gNdB4Vth __________________________________________________ Hoje na #CBDCOP16 lan?amos a mais nova cartilha do Acordo de Escazú para o Brasil, a qual oferece às mulheres defensoras da terra recursos para navegar as leis de seu país com o fim de atingir as prote??es do Acordo de Escazú. O Acordo de Escazú representa uma conquista histórica na busca da justi?a ambiental, da transparência e do desenvolvimento sustentável em toda a regi?o da América Latina e do Caribe. No entanto, o caminho para o acesso a estes direitos pode estar repleto de complexidades e barreiras jurídicas, especialmente para as mulheres que est?o na linha da frente na defesa das suas terras e comunidades. Assista ao anúncio do kit de ferramentas aqui: https://lnkd.in/gP2giyfe Estas cartilhas visam alavancar o potencial transformador deste Acordo histórico para construir um futuro próspero e equitativo para todos, incluindo as mulheres corajosas que defendem a terra e os ecossistemas. A cartilha Brasil foi desenvolvida pela Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) com o apoio do Cyrus R. Vance Center International Justice. Saiba mais sobre todos os kits de ferramentas: https://lnkd.in/gNdB4Vth #EscazuAhora #EscazúAgreement #COP16 #CBDColombia #AcuerdoDeEscazú #EscazuNow #DefendTheDefenders Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice