Women Rising With The Waters – WECAN International Newsletter November 2016

Jay OwenGlobal Citizen, The Power of Yin, TV Series

For the Earth and All Generations 

Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network Newsletter

November 5, 2016 

Dear Friends and Allies, 

As the waters rise – so do the women of the world. On every continent, and in diverse and increasingly powerful manifestations, women are standing up to call for climate justice and a healthy and sustainable world for us all.

These are tumultuous days. The Paris Climate Agreement has just entered into force, governmental representatives from across the world are preparing for the COP22 UN climate talks in Morocco, and civil society and those on the frontlines are working furiously to make up for the gap that world governments have left between their action commitments, and the bold change we need to address the dire scientific reality of the climate crisis. 

In North Dakota, the Standing Rock Sioux and their allies from across the U.S. and around the world have been facing violence and mass arrests as Dakota Access pipeline construction is pushed ever closer to waterways and through sacred sites. The violation in North Dakota of Indigenous rights, human rights and the rights of the Earth is not an isolated incident, but rather one aspect of brutal colonial resource extraction happening across the world. We have been horrified by the unconscionable display of environmental racism, attacks and the callous and unlawful treatment of our sisters and bothers at Standing Rock – and we are in deep respect and humbled by the incredible courage, leadership and determination being shown by our allies on the ground.

At this challenging time- we are encouraged by the women and global allies who are taking action to show that another world is possible.

For our members in the US – action for a healthy world includes getting out to VOTE this week!

Explore our November 2016 Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network Newsletter to explore the global action gallery and add your voice to ‘Women Act for Climate Justice: Ten Days of Global Mobilization‘; learn about upcoming WECAN actions and events on the ground in Morocco during COP22; hear from Indigenous women on the frontlines of the Dakota Access pipeline movement; and much more.

womenactWomen Act for Climate Justice: 

10 Days of Global Mobilization

Women of the Costal South of Bangladesh share their climate messages as a part of the Ten Days of Global Mobilization – Photo via ActionAid Bangladesh

Right now, women, girls and allies for climate justice around the world are taking action as part of ‘Women Act for Climate Justice – Ten Days of Global Mobilization‘.

This is a decentralized action that everyone can participate in locally – add your voice TODAY through November 6. Click here to explore the global action gallery and submit your photo and statement.

From Fiji to Uruguay – from Bangladesh to Tanzania and everywhere in between – we are organizing together to show our resistance to environmental and social degradation; highlight the climate impacts our communities are facing; demand drastic change away from our unjust economic and development systems; and demonstrate the many effective, just and safe climate solutions, strategies and political calls that are being implemented by women and girls around the world on a daily basis. 

Global action submissions are being shared far and wide across media platforms, and will be presented during events during the UNFCCC COP22 in Morocco. WECAN is honored to be co-sponsoring this campaign with the Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice.

Valerie Sklarevsky of Malibu, California, USA holds a solidarity action outside of the Bank of America demanding divestment from the banks financing the Dakota Access Pipeline

COP22WECAN at COP22 Morocco

Allies from around the globe speak out at a WECAN press conference during COP21 Paris – Photo by Emily Arasim

The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network will be on the ground in Marrakech, Morocco with a WECAN Delegation this November during the 2016 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP22 climate talks – advocating with many allies for climate justice, gender equality, Indigenous rights, rights of nature and meaningful, bold action on climate change, with grassroots, Indigenous and frontline women leaders who need to be heard at the forefront of policy and decision making.

WECAN we will take action and hold events both within the UNFCCC climate conference and outside in public spaces across Marrakech.

Join us for – 

Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change – Marrakech (PUBLIC EVENT)

November 14th, 2016 from 13-18:00                                          

Kenzi Farah Hotel (Avenue du Président Kennedy, Hivernage District, Marrakech, Morocco)

Public event – No UN accreditation required

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change (COP22 SIDE EVENT)

November 16, 2016 from 16:45 – 18:15

Bering (former Observer Room 10), COP22 Blue Zone

Accreditation required to attend

Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change (COP22 PRESS CONFERENCE)

November 16th from 15:00 – 15:30

COP22 Blue Zone, Press Conference Room Dakhla

Accreditation required

Indigenous Rights and Rights of Nature: Foundations for Systemic Change in Climate Solutions (COP22 PRESS CONFERENCE)

November 17th from 10:30 – 11:00

COP22 Blue Zone, Press Conference Room Dakhla

Accreditation required

Co-hosted with the Indigenous Environmental Network

Solidarity Action with Standing Rock, Dakota Access Pipeline Resistance 

Location and time TBA

Organized with Indigenous leadership

International Climate March 

Sunday November 13th – 14:00 at El Harti Stadium 

WECAN will be marching with our delegation

standingrockwomenIndigenous Women Protecting All Our Relations: Voices from Standing Rock

Jaslyn Charger, Kandi Mossett and LaDonna BraveBull Allard – three of the Indigenous women leaders standing to protect water and life at Standing Rock – Photos by Emily Arasim

Indigenous women from across North America are on the frontline of ongoing action to halt construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline – standing as beacons of hope, resistance and love that shine far beyond the corporate pillage of Energy Transfer partners and the banks and corporations financing the pipeline.

In recognition of the central role played by Indigenous women in the resistance effort, the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network visited Standing Rock multiple times to directly support efforts on the ground and to conduct interviews with Indigenous women leaders of the Standing Rock Sioux Peoples, and allies from Indigenous Nations across the U.S. who have traveled to North Dakota to take action.

We are deeply honored to have the opportunity to learn from and further share the voices of these outstanding leaders. Share these vital voices and take action today using the information provided below.

Ways To Take Action In Solidarity With Standing Rock

nonewleasesDCNo New Leases & NoDAPL Action 

in Washington, DC

Osprey of WECAN stands united with Indigenous women leaders of Alaska, the US Southwest and Gulf Coast region during the #NoNewLeases action in Washington DC – Photo by Emily Arasim

This September frontline, Indigenous, and environmental organization leaders from the Keep It In the Ground Coalition united and rose for climate justice during a #NoNewLeases, No Dakota Access Pipeline Day of Action in Washington D.C. 

The groups delivered over 1 million signatures on a petition calling upon President Obama to end all new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters. The delivery and rally at the White House was followed by a non-violent direct action inside of the United States Department of the Interior, during which 13 protectors, including WECAN’s Executive Director, Osprey Orielle Lake were arrested.

As part of the Keep It In The Ground coalition, WECAN took part to demand immediate action to stop new leases, and in solidarity with allies at Standing Rock to demand a halt to the Dakota Access Pipeline construction.

Click here to learn more about the Keep It In the Ground movement and this action via Common Dreams – click here for more photos from the actions – and click here to watch  Autumn Harry deliver an impassioned speech outside of the White House.

Thank you for your continued support of our work for climate justice and care for the Earth and all generations, 

 The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network Team  

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