As humanity faces escalating climate and ecological crises, we seek to articulate a vision toward a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems;

As humanity faces escalating climate and ecological crises, we seek to articulate a vision toward a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems; where the rights of humans do not extend to the domination of nature. The Rights of Nature, one of the fastest growing global environmental movements in history, offers a systemic framework for change.

During the press conference, we heard from Rights of Nature advocates on how this framework can protect biodiverse ecosystems, Indigenous sovereignty, and human rights.

Press conference speakers included:
— Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member and Movement Rights Board Member
— Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)
— Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, an ecological think tank; Steering Committee Member of Oilwatch International, Nigeria

At the press conference we also released a White Paper on the Legal Rights of Nature Framework co-authored by WECAN, Movement Rights, and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature - GARN. Read the report here: https://www.wecaninternational.org/ron-report

To close out our advocacy efforts at Climate Week, WECAN hosted our final event, "How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis," where we heard from movement leaders and

To close out our advocacy efforts at Climate Week, WECAN hosted our final event, "How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis," where we heard from movement leaders and change-makers who wove together stories, worldviews, experiences and victories of restoration and justice that demonstrate the healthy and equitable world we know is possible and needed.

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; Jacqui Patterson, Founder and Executive Director of The Chisholm Legacy Project, USA; Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN); moderation by Antonia Juhasz, Senior Researcher on Fossil Fuels, Human Rights Watch, and Investigative Journalist.

At the closing of the event, Osprey Orielle Lake also shared a preview of her forthcoming book "The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis," to be released in January 2024. Learn more about the book here: https://ospreyoriellelake.earth/

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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Press Conference –

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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Press Conference – Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions, COP28; Sunday, December 10, 2023, 3:30 - 4:00 PM

​International women leaders shared the impacts of international climate policies, and discussed the urgency for transformative strategies and solutions to address the climate crisis and advance a just transition. ​​

Speakers included:
✨ Taily Terena (Terena Nation), Indigenous rights activist, WECAN Coordinator in Brazil, member of IITC - International Indian Treaty Council and IIYFCC - International Indigenous youth forum on climate change, Brazil
✨ Zukiswa White, Coordinator, Women and Gender Constituency, South Africa
✨ Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA
✨ Brianna Fruean, Youth Climate Activist and Environmental Advocate, Samoa
✨ Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA

On November 16, WECAN hosted a COP29 Press Conference articulating a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems. Presenters discussed the Rights

On November 16, WECAN hosted a COP29 Press Conference articulating a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems. Presenters discussed the Rights of Nature movement, its successes, and how it can offer a systemic framework for defending and protecting biodiversity, communities, and the climate.

Speakers included: Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member and Project Coordinator, Turtle Island/USA; Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nigeria; Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director of Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN); and Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), USA.

WECAN presented “A Global Initiative for a Universal Declaration on the Rights of Nature,” which outlines a strategy for national and subnational governments to have a mechanism for countries to adopt a Universal Declaration on the Rights of Nature. To learn about this vital new initiative please see our website here: https://www.wecaninternational.org/ron-declaration

Indigenous knowledge is a climate solution! At the epicenter of massive fracking in Oklahoma, Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation) Environmental Ambassador, WECAN Earthen Lodge Project Coordinator

Indigenous knowledge is a climate solution! At the epicenter of massive fracking in Oklahoma, Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation) Environmental Ambassador, WECAN Earthen Lodge Project Coordinator and Board Member, and her community are leading a renewed approach to food sovereignty and climate solutions with the building of the Earthen Lodge, originating from Indigenous wisdom and knowledge of the Ponca Nation.

Watch and share this video and support climate justice in action!

The Earthen Lodge is stewarded by the Pa'tha'ta Women's Society in the Ponca community, as they seek seventh generation survival and beyond for their Nation in the midst of the escalating climate crisis. WECAN is honored to work in collaboration on this project, which is supporting community resiliency in the face of extreme fossil fuel extraction and ongoing climate disruption. The Lodge will provide safe harbor in times of climate disaster; offer space for cultural ceremonies and teachings; and create healthy and sustainable food and medicines for current and future generations in a region where the water and soil has been poisoned by Big Oil for decades.

�Learn more about the Earthen Lodge Project by visiting our website: https://www.wecaninternational.org/earthen-lodge-project

Press Conference– Rights of Nature: A Systemic Solution to the Climate Crisis; COP28, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

During COP28, WECAN hosted a series of

Press Conference– Rights of Nature: A Systemic Solution to the Climate Crisis; COP28, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 5:30 PM - 6:00 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!
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Rights of Nature articulates a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems. Presenters shared successes from the Rights of Nature movement, and how it can offer a systemic framework for defending biodiversity, communities, and our climate.

Speakers included:
🌿 Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nigeria
🌿 Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, Turtle Island, USA
🌿 Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) and Executive Committee, Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, USA

During this press conference, international women leaders discussed feminist and women-led visions emerging from global movements, share the context and impacts of international climate policies,

During this press conference, international women leaders discussed feminist and women-led visions emerging from global movements, share the context and impacts of international climate policies, and discuss strategies, solutions and alternatives towards shaping a healthy and equitable future.

Speakers included:
--- Neema Namadamu, Democratic Republic of Congo Coordinator, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Democratic Republic of Congo
--- 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
--- Taily Terena (Terena), Indigenous Rights Leader, and WECAN Coordinator, Brazil
--- Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)

In this talk, one of the most respected, beloved and impactful longtime activists on behalf of Indigenous rights and women’s leadership as well as a major figure in the “Rights of

In this talk, one of the most respected, beloved and impactful longtime activists on behalf of Indigenous rights and women’s leadership as well as a major figure in the “Rights of Nature” movement, will delve deeply into how many Indigenous peoples view the human relationship to the natural world and what their ancestral wisdom teaches about how to harmoniously interact with nature’s fundamental components, aka the “elements”—Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Casey will explore how these incredibly sophisticated traditional Indigenous land, water and fire stewardship strategies, many of which are now being “rediscovered” by contemporary managers, have much to teach us as we grapple with the climate crisis.

This keynote talk was delivered at the 2024 Bioneers Conference. To see other talks from the conference, visit http://www.bioneers.org