Plastics are ubiquitous, found in electronics, food packaging, and home insulation. Their total mass now doubles that of all living organisms, impacting Earth's climate systems.

Plastic

Plastics are ubiquitous, found in electronics, food packaging, and home insulation. Their total mass now doubles that of all living organisms, impacting Earth's climate systems.

Plastic pollution researcher Patricia Villarrubia-Gómez details the consequences of plastic production, from fossil fuel extraction to the disposal of single-use items in landfills and oceans. Acknowledging this pervasive problem is the crucial first step toward addressing it.

The Amazon Rainforest faces critical threats from deforestation and extractive industries, particularly in Ecuador, where deforestation surged 80% in 2021, destroying 18,902 hectares. This crisis

The Amazon Rainforest faces critical threats from deforestation and extractive industries, particularly in Ecuador, where deforestation surged 80% in 2021, destroying 18,902 hectares. This crisis violates Indigenous rights and endangers women land defenders.

The WECAN Indigenous Women of the Ecuadorian Amazon Reforestation and Forest Protection project, led by Kichwa leader Patricia Gualinga, is actively restoring and defending 135,000 hectares of Sarayaku territory.

This initiative safeguards endemic tree species, supports land defender rights, and advocates against deforestation, without relying on market-based mechanisms like carbon offsets. Learn more about their ongoing programming.

On April 21, 2026, WECAN hosted "Indigenous Women Resisting Extraction and Building a Just Transition" during the 25th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (#UNPFII). Speakers shared updates on

On April 21, 2026, WECAN hosted "Indigenous Women Resisting Extraction and Building a Just Transition" during the 25th UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (#UNPFII). Speakers shared updates on campaigns defending Indigenous territories from extraction, discussed the impacts of colonization, fossil fuels, mining, and climate disruption. They also showcased community projects for Just Transition and climate resilience, offering strategies grounded in rights, traditional knowledge, and sovereignty.

Our gratitude goes to the extraordinary Indigenous women leaders and advocates from Cameroon, Ecuador, Peru, and Turtle Island/USA. Their powerful voices highlighted critical issues and solutions.

For more details on WECAN’s advocacy and highlights from the UNPFII session, please visit our blog: tinyurl.com/WECAN-UNPFII2026-blog

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on November 13, WECAN hosted a press conference where Amazonian leaders issued urgent calls to protect Indigenous rights, women land defenders, forests, water,

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, on November 13, WECAN hosted a press conference where Amazonian leaders issued urgent calls to protect Indigenous rights, women land defenders, forests, water, communities, and the global climate.

WECAN also launched its “Escazú Agreement Toolkit for Women Land Defenders and Frontline Communities.” This resource offers eleven country-specific guides to help women land defenders navigate domestic laws for Escazú Agreement protections, ensuring their rights and environmental safeguards. Access the toolkit: WECAN Escazú Toolkit.

Prominent Indigenous leaders spoke at the event. For more details on WECAN’s COP30 advocacy and speakers, visit: WECAN COP30 Blog.

The Amazon Rainforest, particularly in Ecuador, faces a critical tipping point from rampant deforestation and extractive industries. Ecuador's deforestation surged 80% from 2021, destroying 18,902

The Amazon Rainforest, particularly in Ecuador, faces a critical tipping point from rampant deforestation and extractive industries. Ecuador's deforestation surged 80% from 2021, destroying 18,902 hectares. This crisis violates Indigenous rights, sacrifices global ecosystems, and puts Indigenous women land defenders at heightened risk.

The WECAN Indigenous Women of the Ecuadorian Amazon Reforestation and Forest Protection project, led by Kichwa Pueblo leader Patricia Gualinga, restores and defends 135,000 hectares of Sarayaku territory. This project safeguards endemic tree species through reforestation, forest monitoring, and advocacy, explicitly avoiding market-based mechanisms like carbon offsets. Learn more: wecaninternational.org/ecuador-en

Patricia Gualinga Montalvo, a spiritual Indigenous leader from Sarayaku, Ecuador, is a key figure in an ongoing Ecuadorian process.

This initiative focuses on defending Indigenous

Patricia Gualinga Montalvo, a spiritual Indigenous leader from Sarayaku, Ecuador, is a key figure in an ongoing Ecuadorian process.

This initiative focuses on defending Indigenous territories and advocating for the inherent rights of Mother Earth.

Patricia Gualinga of Ecuador's Kichwa community criticizes the lack of economic analysis on the Amazon's true value, asserting that oil extraction is prioritized for "easy money" to repay China's

Patricia Gualinga of Ecuador's Kichwa community criticizes the lack of economic analysis on the Amazon's true value, asserting that oil extraction is prioritized for "easy money" to repay China's debt, without considering "what is lost by destroying the Amazon." This concern arose as an oil round in southeastern Ecuador offered 3 million hectares of tropical forest, home to seven indigenous nationalities, to companies, with contracts anticipated by October 2013.

This report was published on March 9, 2013, and produced by Pacha Producciones in Quito, Ecuador.

Patricia Gualinga Montalvo, a spiritual Indigenous leader from Sarayaku, Ecuador, participated in the Rights of Mother Earth International Indigenous Conference.

The conference highlighted

Patricia Gualinga Montalvo, a spiritual Indigenous leader from Sarayaku, Ecuador, participated in the Rights of Mother Earth International Indigenous Conference.

The conference highlighted the Ecuadorian process of defending Indigenous territories, emphasizing the inherent Rights of Mother Earth.

Global movements are addressing the escalating climate crisis, with women and gender-diverse leaders amplifying their voices in response to COP27. This event featured direct reports from the

Global movements are addressing the escalating climate crisis, with women and gender-diverse leaders amplifying their voices in response to COP27. This event featured direct reports from the negotiations, sharing critical insights, report releases, and urgent calls to action, alongside global women's demands, struggles, and solutions.

The diverse panel included leaders from Indigenous communities, youth activists, and environmental organizations worldwide. Representatives from groups like DIVA for Equality, Reacción Climática, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, The Chisholm Legacy Project, Amazon Watch, and the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) offered vital perspectives from most affected peoples and areas.

The panel “Women For Forests: Protection & Reforestation: Part 1” took place on Monday, June 23, 2025. It was part of the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to

The panel “Women For Forests: Protection & Reforestation: Part 1” took place on Monday, June 23, 2025. It was part of the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond, hosted by the Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) from June 23-28, 2025.

Organized by WECAN, the Assembly united over 125 grassroots and frontline women leaders, global advocates, and policymakers from 50 countries. Diverse panelists, including Indigenous leaders and climate activists from various regions, shared visions and strategies across 25 unique sessions to accelerate a transformative path towards a healthy and just world.