The U'wa people continue their decades-long, nonviolent struggle to protect their sacred ancestral lands from environmental destruction. While Occidental Petroleum departed in 2002, Colombia's

The U'wa people continue their decades-long, nonviolent struggle to protect their sacred ancestral lands from environmental destruction. While Occidental Petroleum departed in 2002, Colombia's national oil company Ecopetrol now intensifies oil exploration activities, particularly around the Magallanes platform.

This exploration encroaches on U'wa ancestral territory and the spiritually significant Cubogón River. U'wa spiritual leader Berito Cobaría emphasizes their ancient wisdom: oil, or "Ruiria," is the Earth's blood, and its extraction causes a slow environmental death. This perspective aligns closely with modern climate change warnings.

Read more: http://amazonwatch.org/news/2014/0417-colombias-uwa-two-decades-later-fighting-on

For millennia, Indigenous communities have been environmental guardians, using traditional knowledge to live in balance and protect flora and fauna. They safeguard 80% of the world's biodiversity,

For millennia, Indigenous communities have been environmental guardians, using traditional knowledge to live in balance and protect flora and fauna. They safeguard 80% of the world's biodiversity, and protecting these lands and waters is crucial for climate mitigation, as these biodiverse areas are major carbon sinks. Indigenous peoples are the ancestral owners of nearly half the intact forest in the Amazon Basin.

Nemonte Nenquimo, a Waorani leader and co-founder of Ceibo Alliance and Amazon Frontlines, stresses that respecting Indigenous peoples' rights to their territories is vital for protecting the Amazon rainforest, our climate, and global life. Recognized by Time's 100 most influential people and a Goldman Environmental Prize winner, Nenquimo advocates against oil drilling on ancestral lands.

Learn more at Amazon Frontlines and explore more Bioneers videos.

Indigenous communities are vital guardians of Earth's biodiversity, safeguarding 80% of what remains globally. Their traditional knowledge and ancestral ownership of vast areas, including nearly

Indigenous communities are vital guardians of Earth's biodiversity, safeguarding 80% of what remains globally. Their traditional knowledge and ancestral ownership of vast areas, including nearly half of the Amazon's intact forests, are crucial for mitigating the climate crisis, as these biodiverse regions serve as major carbon sinks. Respecting Indigenous peoples' internationally recognized rights is paramount for protecting our planet's most important rainforests, climate, and life.

Nemonte Nenquimo, a Waorani leader and co-founder of Ceibo Alliance and Amazon Frontlines, champions this cause. Named one of Time's 100 most influential people and a Goldman Environmental Prize winner, she fights against oil drilling on ancestral lands. Learn more about Amazon Frontlines and explore Bioneers videos.

Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and author of the bestselling "Finding the Mother Tree," is a world-renowned pioneer in plant communication and

Suzanne Simard, Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia and author of the bestselling "Finding the Mother Tree," is a world-renowned pioneer in plant communication and intelligence. Her groundbreaking research reveals the complex ways trees interact and communicate through below-ground fungal networks, which are crucial for forests’ resiliency, adaptability, and recovery.

Simard’s work has far-reaching implications for managing and healing forests from human impacts, including climate change. She discusses the dire global consequences of logging old-growth rainforests and advocates for nature-based solutions that combine Western science and Indigenous knowledge to preserve and care for these invaluable ecosystems for future generations.

Learn more at Bioneers.org.

Podcast/Inteview with Judith Enck by EarthSayers Cinema, produced by EarthSayer Bob Trench.

MISSION: Our mission is to end plastic pollution

Podcast/Inteview with Judith Enck by EarthSayers Cinema, produced by EarthSayer Bob Trench.

MISSION: Our mission is to end plastic pollution everywhere.

ABOUT: Launched in January 2019 and based at Bennington College, Beyond Plastics pairs the wisdom and experience of environmental policy experts with the energy and creativity of grassroots advocates to build a vibrant and effective movement to end plastic pollution. We use our deep policy and advocacy expertise to build a well-informed, effective movement seeking to achieve the institutional, economic, and societal changes needed to save our planet, and ourselves, from the negative health, climate, and environmental impacts of the production, usage, and disposal of plastics.

GOALS: It will take changes at every level of our economy and civil life to stem the tide of plastic pollution. Individuals need to be moved to act in their personal lives and take action as part of a growing movement; corporations need to feel the pressure to initiate changes in their purchasing and packaging habits; governments need to impose bans and adopt laws that require extended producer responsibility; and new manufacturing of plastic has to be prevented from spreading. Beyond Plastics seeks to educate the media, policymakers, and the public on the plastic pollution crisis; encourage businesses to eliminate single-use plastics; train students to become leaders in the anti-plastics movement; and help block new plastic manufacturing and plastic burning facilities.

On January 9, 2013, First Nation Anishnabe Elder Dave Courchene of Turtle Lodge delivered a statement at the Elders Ceremony in

On January 9, 2013, First Nation Anishnabe Elder Dave Courchene of Turtle Lodge delivered a statement at the Elders Ceremony in Ottawa. This address was published the following day.

Known as Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man), Elder Courchene is a respected teacher devoted to Indigenous knowledge. Since 1992, he has served as a UN Wisdom Keeper, advising on spirituality and sustainable environmental approaches.

Courchene founded Turtle Lodge in 2002, an internationally recognized center for learning, healing, and sharing. He continues to promote peace, recently sharing the stage with the Dalai Lama. Further details are available here.

Alejandro Aravena's architectural philosophy is to "bring the community into the process." Ten years ago, when tasked with building housing for 100 families in Chile, he found inspiration in

Alejandro Aravena's architectural philosophy is to "bring the community into the process." Ten years ago, when tasked with building housing for 100 families in Chile, he found inspiration in favelas. Instead of small units in large buildings, he designed flexible "half-homes" that each family could expand. This complex problem found a simple solution through direct collaboration with the families themselves.

Aravena showcases three projects where clever rethinking led to beautiful, beneficial design. Learn more at Alejandro Aravena's website, or follow TED on Twitter and Facebook.

Vernon Masayesva, a Hopi Leader of the Coyote Clan and Chairman of the Hopi Tribal Council, hosted Dr. Masaru Emoto, author of *The Hidden Messages of Water*, in Hopi Land, Arizona, in Fall 2005.

Vernon Masayesva, a Hopi Leader of the Coyote Clan and Chairman of the Hopi Tribal Council, hosted Dr. Masaru Emoto, author of *The Hidden Messages of Water*, in Hopi Land, Arizona, in Fall 2005. Masayesva introduced Dr. Emoto during his visit; his book is available on Amazon.

Masayesva also presented "Sipaapuni — Emergence to the Fourth World of the Hopi" at the Wisdom from the Origins Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 16.

A related video was shot by Yakima Lee and edited by Jacob Devaney for Culture Collective.