As global leaders gathered for the UN Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday, September 20, WECAN hosted an event, right across the street from the UN, bringing together women leaders to call on

As global leaders gathered for the UN Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday, September 20, WECAN hosted an event, right across the street from the UN, bringing together women leaders to call on governments to reckon with their role in fueling climate chaos, and harm against communities and the planet by continuing the extraction of fossil fuels. Governments must invest in and deploy a Just Transition that is grounded in a climate justice framework and uplifts care economies, community-led solutions, Indigenous rights, and a different vision than business as usual. During the event, we hosted two panels detailed below.

In the first panel, “Women Ending the Era of Fossil Fuels," speakers shared expertise and frameworks for transitioning away from extraction and ongoing policy advocacy and campaigns that seek to phase out fossil fuels and other harmful extractive practices.

Speakers included: Sharon Lavigne, Founder and President of RISE St. James, Turtle Island/USA; Farhana Yamin, Coordinator, Climate Justice & Just Transition Donor Collaborative, United Kingdom; Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada; Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Canada; moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, WECAN.

In the second panel, "Women-led Climate Solutions Are Central to a Just Transition and Thriving Future," leaders shared how to implement and support solutions that are advancing a Just Transition, and recent successes and victories for community-led climate just solutions!

Speakers included: Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA; Helena Gualinga (Kichwa from Sarayaku), Indigenous Youth Climate Leader, Ecuador; Ozawa Bineshi Albert (Yuchi and Anishinaabe), Climate Justice Alliance Co-Executive Director, Turtle Island/USA; Elizabeth C. Yeampierre, Executive Director, UPROSE, Turtle Island/USA; Zukiswa White, Coordinator, Women and Gender Constituency, South Africa; moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, WECAN.

Press Conference – Accelerating Feminist Solutions to the Climate Crisis, Saturday, December 2, 2023, 3:30 - 4:00 PM

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting

Press Conference – Accelerating Feminist Solutions to the Climate Crisis, Saturday, December 2, 2023, 3:30 - 4:00 PM

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world! This event was co-hosted by the Feminist Green New Deal (FemGND) Coalition, of which WECAN is a founding member.

​During this press conference, women and feminist leaders spoke to the root causes of the climate crisis as it is imperative to ensure the inclusion of feminist principles in a Just Transition. Speakers discussed feminist policies and frameworks that are necessary for advancing just climate policies, focused in the United States with global implications. Speakers included organizational representatives from the FemGND Coalition

💥 Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Canada 💥 Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Convenor and International Spokesperson for Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), Philippines 💥 Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada 💥 Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

Women in Action for Climate Justice and a Just Transition: Path to COP30 and Beyond

During this event, global women leaders in all of their diversity shone a light on a Just

Women in Action for Climate Justice and a Just Transition: Path to COP30 and Beyond

During this event, global women leaders in all of their diversity shone a light on a Just Transition and shared comprehensive, intersectional approaches and strategies to accelerate community-led climate solutions, phase out fossil fuels, protect democracy, and uplift the climate justice movement. Critical topics include forest protection and reforestation, gender-responsive climate policies, fossil fuel resistance, food sovereignty, Indigenous and human rights; Rights of Nature; and strategic campaigns and policies for COP30 and beyond.

Speakers included:
-- Thilmeeza Hussain, Director, United Nations Regional Commissions New York Office, Maldives/USA
-- Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), 2024 Climate Breakthrough Award Winner, Turtle Island/Canada
-- Bridget Burns, Executive Director, Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), Turtle Island/USA
-- Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Canada
-- Colette Pichon-Battle, Vision and Initiatives Partner, Taproot Earth, Lawyer and Climate Justice Activist, Turtle Island/USA
-- Jozileia Kaingang (Kaingang), Executive Director, National Articulation of Indigenous Women Warriors of Ancestrality (ANMIGA), Brazil
-- Taily Terena (Terena Nation), Indigenous Rights and Climate Activist, 2025 Global Citizen Prize Winner, Brazil
-- Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador, WECAN Board Member and Project Coordinator, Turtle Island/USA
-- Moderation and comments by Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Turtle Island/USA

On December 5, WECAN hosted our formal UN Side Event at COP28, “Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis.” During the side event,

On December 5, WECAN hosted our formal UN Side Event at COP28, “Women Implementing Climate Justice Solutions to Mitigate and Adapt to the Climate Crisis.” During the side event, grassroots, Indigenous and frontline women, and representatives of global organizations presented climate justice strategies and solutions, including forest and biodiversity protection, Indigenous rights, agro-ecology, renewable energy and a Just Transition, fossil fuel phase out and divestment, and protection of women land defenders.

Speakers included: Lucy Mulenkei (Maasai), Executive Director, Indigenous Information Network, Kenya; Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action, Canada; Braulina Baniwa (Baniwa), Executive Director, National Articulation of Indigenous Women Ancestrality Warriors (ANMIGA), Brazil; Taily Terena (Terena Nation), Indigenous rights activist, WECAN Coordinator in Brazil, Brazil; Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA; Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

During the event we also had a special appearance by Sonia Guajajara, Minister of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil, who shared a powerful testimony to the leadership of women in Brazil and globally. We are honored to have worked with Minister Guajajara for the past several years, and to see her continue her advocacy efforts in her newly appointed position.

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change - COP27 Side Event

At this official UN Side Event, grassroots, frontline and Indigenous women leaders,

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change - COP27 Side Event

At this official UN Side Event, grassroots, frontline and Indigenous women leaders, alongside representatives from international climate justice organizations, spoke out to address root causes of interlocking crises and the need for solutions based in a climate justice framework, including forest and biodiversity protection, Indigenous rights, agro-ecology, fossil fuel resistance, protection of women land defenders, and community-led solutions.

Speakers included:
--- Neema Namadamu, Democratic Republic of Congo Coordinator, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Democratic Republic of Congo
-- Sônia Bone Guajajara (Guajajara), Indigenous Leader from Brazil, Federal Deputy of the National Congress of Brazil, Brazil
--- Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, USA
--- Anne Songole, Climate Justice Coordinator, The African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET), Kenya
--- Jessica Grefa, Indigenous youth leader from Santa Clara
--- Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada
--- Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)

As climate breakdown escalates, communities are increasingly realizing that climate action and resilience have as much to do with actual ecological boundaries as with political boundaries on a

As climate breakdown escalates, communities are increasingly realizing that climate action and resilience have as much to do with actual ecological boundaries as with political boundaries on a map. The truth is that communities are defined by their local watersheds, food sheds and energy sheds – as well as culture sheds. These ecological maps will increasingly redefine political maps that can engender meaningful strategic collective action. How do bioregional perspectives translate into political action? How can we build political-ecological alliances for climate action that address urgent bioregional realities and needs? This visionary group of leading-edge climate action organizers illuminate multiple pathways for addressing both practical climate actions and emerging forms of eco-governance that center equity and justice.

With global Indigenous climate leader Eriel Deranger; leading Rights of Nature attorney Thomas Linzey; climate justice organizer and lawyer Colette Pichon Battle, whose Taproot Earth nonprofit works in the Gulf South and Appalachia; and OneEarth founder Justin Winters whose science-based climate solutions framework focuses on renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and land and biodiversity conservation.

This conversation took place at the Bioneers 2025 Conference. You can experience more of the amazing keynote talks, conversations and performances at bioneers.org. (photo: Boris Zharkov Photography)

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world!
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Women Leading Fossil Fuel

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of events highlighting the powerful voices of women leaders in all of their diversity from around the world!
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Women Leading Fossil Fuel Phaseout and A Just Transition, Press Conference, COP28; Saturday, December 9, 2023, 5:30 - 6:00 PM

Women leaders shared vital reports and critical strategies to advance a fossil fuel phaseout and accelerate a Just Transition while supporting communities and ecosystems impacted by extractive industries and human and Indigenous rights violations.

Speakers Included:
💥 Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Canada
💥 Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Convenor and International Spokesperson for Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), Philippines
💥 Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada
💥 Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

A coproduction of WECAN and Bioneers Everywoman’s Leadership program

As the IPCC reports, climate destabilization is happening far faster than even the most pessimistic

A coproduction of WECAN and Bioneers Everywoman’s Leadership program

As the IPCC reports, climate destabilization is happening far faster than even the most pessimistic scientists had anticipated. The chaotic results are now visible to everyone around the globe. The situation is urgent, and failure to take immediate large-scale action would be catastrophic, but extractive industries and corrupt governments are barreling ahead with business as usual, wreaking havoc on our planet’s water, air, lands and living creatures, including people. Women, BIPOC and youth leaders are taking many of the strongest stands and implementing innovative tactics in this, the most important, crucial, existential struggle in history. Join three visionary climate justice leaders as they share their strategic insights.

With: Eriel Deranger, Indigenous Climate Action; Leila Salazar-Lopez, Amazon Watch; Osprey Orielle Lake, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN). Hosted by Bioneers co-founder Nina Simons.

Learn more at http://www.bioneers.org

Women leaders are building critical strategies for national and international divestment that call for justice and accountability from the financial sector and governments to phase out fossil

Women leaders are building critical strategies for national and international divestment that call for justice and accountability from the financial sector and governments to phase out fossil fuels and deforestation, while advocating for a Just Transition that places people and planet first.

During this WECAN press conference at COP27, speakers shared vital reports and strategies for ending the era of fossil fuels and supporting communities and ecosystems impacted by extractive industries and Indigenous rights violations.

Speakers included:
--- Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director, Indigenous Climate Action
--- Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty
--- Leila Salazar-López, Executive Director, Amazon Watch
--- Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)

On November 18, WECAN hosted a COP29 press conference where women leaders spoke about the importance of advancing a fossil fuel phaseout and embracing a Just Transition that supports communities

On November 18, WECAN hosted a COP29 press conference where women leaders spoke about the importance of advancing a fossil fuel phaseout and embracing a Just Transition that supports communities and ecosystems. Speakers highlighted the role of climate finance in supporting equitable solutions and ensuring accountability in the Just Transition. Speakers also discussed the efforts of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Speakers included: Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), Executive Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Canada; Dr. Amiera Sawas, Head of Research and Policy at the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty; and Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA.