The Women's Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) hosted its Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond from June 23-28, 2025. This event gathered over 125 grassroots and

The Women's Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) hosted its Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond from June 23-28, 2025. This event gathered over 125 grassroots and frontline women leaders, advocates, and policymakers from 50 countries to share diverse visions and strategies for a just and healthy world across 25 panels.

A significant panel, "Impacts of the Fossil Fuel Industry in North America," took place on June 25th. Featured speakers included Sharon Lavigne (RISE St. James), Tara Houska (Giniw Collective), Nalleli Cobo (People not Pozos, South Central Youth Leadership Coalition), and Dr. Laalitha Surapaneni, a physician.

Nalleli Cobo, now 20, began her impactful Environmental Justice activism at age 9, years before Greta Thunberg's school strike. Living across from an oil drilling site in South Los Angeles, she

Nalleli Cobo, now 20, began her impactful Environmental Justice activism at age 9, years before Greta Thunberg's school strike. Living across from an oil drilling site in South Los Angeles, she and her community suffered severe health issues, including heart palpitations, headaches, and nosebleeds so intense she had to sleep sitting up.

Cobo became a leading voice demanding the site's closure, evolving into an internationally renowned, award-winning Environmental Justice activist. She shares her journey, the ongoing struggles in disenfranchised communities, the high price paid, and how local efforts connect to the global fight for Climate Justice.

This talk was delivered at the 2021 Bioneers Conference. Learn more at bioneers.org.