The panel “Impacts of the Fossil Fuel Industry in North America” was held on Wednesday, June 25th, during the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and

The panel “Impacts of the Fossil Fuel Industry in North America” was held on Wednesday, June 25th, during the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond hosted by Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN), June 23-28, 2025.
PANELISTS:
— Sharon Lavigne, Founder and President of RISE St. James, Turtle Island/USA
— Tara Houska (Couchiching First Nation Anishinaabe), Tribal Attorney and Founder of Giniw Collective, Line 3 pipeline Resistance Leader, Turtle Island/USA
— Nalleli Cobo, Climate Activist & Storyteller, 2022 Goldman Prize winner, Co-founder of People not Pozos and South Central Youth Leadership Coalition, Turtle Island/USA
— Laalitha Surapaneni, MD, MPH, Internist and Assistant Professor of Medicine, USA/India

Organized by the Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN), the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond brought together over 125 grassroots and frontline women leaders in all their diversity, global advocates, thought leaders, and policymakers representing 50 countries from around the world. During 25 unique panels, speakers showcased a diverse array of visions, projects, policy frameworks, campaigns, and movement strategies with which we can accelerate a bold and transformative path to a healthy and just world.

During this virtual event at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Indigenous youth leaders from around the world gathered to share their strategies and solutions for addressing

During this virtual event at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Indigenous youth leaders from around the world gathered to share their strategies and solutions for addressing fossil fuel extraction, deforestation and the climate crisis on Thursday, April 18th, 2024.

Drawing upon Indigenous knowledge, panelists discussed efforts to defend Indigenous rights, champion self-determination, and promote climate justice to forge a path toward a healthy and just climate future.

Speakers Included:
✨ Pema Wangmo Lama (Mugum), Program Coordinator, National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF), Nepal
✨ Morgan Brings Plenty (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), Environmental Justice Activist, Digital Organizing Fellow, Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), Turtle Island/USA
✨ Judy Kipkenda (Ogiek), Founder of Koibatek Ogiek Women and Youth Network (KOWYN), Kenya
✨ Sheelah Bearfoot (Chiricahua Apache), MHS Environmental Justice Advocate, Turtle Island/USA
✨ Elle Rávdná Näkkäläjärvi (Sámi), Chair of the Sámi Parliament’s Youth Council, Norway
✨ Carole Monture (Kanienkehá:ka/Mohawk), Climate Leadership Coordinator, Indigenous Climate Action (ICA), Turtle Island
✨ Talia Landry (Mashpee Wampanoag), Youth Advisor for Mashpee NEA and President of the Wampanoag Community Development Corporation, Turtle Island

Introduction and Overview of the present situation for a gathering of the Interfaith

Introduction and Overview of the present situation for a gathering of the Interfaith Moral Action on Climate. 

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Jacqueline Patterson is the Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. Since 2007 Patterson has served as coordinator & co-founder of Women of Color United. Jacqui Patterson has worked as a researcher, program manager, coordinator, advocate and activist working on women‘s rights, violence against women, HIV&AIDS, racial justice, economic justice, and environmental and climate justice. Patterson served as a Senior Women’s Rights Policy Analyst for ActionAid where she integrated a women’s rights lens for the issues of food rights, macroeconomics, and climate change as well as the intersection of violence against women and HIV&AIDS. Previously, she served as Assistant Vice-President of HIV/AIDS Programs for IMA World Health providing management and technical assistance to medical facilities and programs in 23 countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Patterson served as the Outreach Project Associate for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and Research Coordinator for Johns Hopkins University. She also served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica, West Indies.