This episode features Joe Iles, Head of Design Activation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, who delves into practical circular design. He explains it's not merely about durable products, but reflects the complex, interconnected systems of our world. Joe explores why innovative circular design ideas often struggle to scale.

He highlights crucial design competencies for transitioning to a circular model, including systems thinking, prototyping, and collaboration. These skills are essential for moving beyond buzzwords to effective implementation.

Explore related resources: The Circular Design Guide, The Jeans Redesign, The Circular Buildings Toolkit, and From ambition to action: an adaptive strategy for circular design.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a leading organization of lawyers, scientists, and activists dedicated to protecting endangered species and habitats worldwide. Learn more about their work: biologicaldiversity.org.

All footage ©2025.

Global women and feminist leaders are calling for urgent climate justice and action for future generations. WECAN marks International Women's Day by releasing a video showcasing women and gender-diverse leaders' solutions.

Amidst escalating climate crisis and social inequities, these leaders demand bold systems change and transformational leadership. They champion solutions for food sovereignty, Indigenous rights, and a Just Transition, challenging governments and corporations to end extractive practices and declare a climate emergency. Their fight for Mother Earth is unwavering.

On November 4, 2021, Indigenous women leaders united at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, to issue an urgent call to action for the Amazon in crisis. Organized by the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, they advocated for Indigenous rights and the protection of forests, water, communities, and the global climate.

Speakers highlighted the devastating impacts of climate change, extractive industries, and agri-business in the Amazon. They underscored the critical importance of Indigenous rights as a vital climate solution.

A COP26 press conference on November 9, 2021, focused on "Accelerating a Feminist Green New Deal."

The event featured speakers including Santra Denis from the Miami Workers Center, Frances Roberts-Gregory (Feminist Activist, Academic, and Scholar), Jacqui Patterson of The Chisholm Legacy Project, and Mara Dolan from WEDO. Osprey Orielle Lake and Katherine Quaid represented WECAN.

These experts shared insights on advancing a feminist approach to climate action and social justice.

On November 5, 2021, WECAN and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) co-hosted a COP26 press conference. They reported on the recent Rights of Nature Tribunal, held parallel to the summit, which focused on systemic change in climate solutions.

The Tribunal heard two cases, notably one concerning climate change and the Amazon rainforest. Presenters included Tribunal Judges: Lisa Mead (Earth Law Alliance), Atossa Soltani (Amazon Sacred Headwaters Initiative), Pablo Solón (Former UN Ambassador for Bolivia), and Osprey Orielle Lake (WECAN International).

Watch and share the WECAN Press Conference from COP26 in Glasgow, titled "Women for Climate Justice Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change." This vital discussion highlights the critical role of women in addressing climate change.

The conference featured powerful voices from global climate justice leaders. Speakers included Sostine Namanya (Gender & Food Security Officer, NAPE, Uganda), Sonia Guajajara (Executive Coordinator, APIB, Brazilian Amazon), Casey Camp-Horinek (Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member, USA), and Osprey Orielle Lake (Executive Director, WECAN International, USA).

On November 5, WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake addressed the GLOBE COP26 Legislators Summit at the Scottish Parliament. She urged global leaders to reject false solutions, advocating for climate justice, Indigenous rights, keeping fossil fuels in the ground, and greater inclusion of women and frontline communities in decision-making.

Lake highlighted that current country commitments fall short of the Paris Agreement's 1.5-degree target. She presented a "Call to Action" from the Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice, outlining how existing frameworks can achieve this goal. This call represents millions of women and feminists worldwide.

Read the Call to Action Statement and Framework Recommendations.

WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake addressed world governments at the UN ahead of COP26, declaring a refusal to sacrifice future generations for corporate greed and political power. She urged leaders to fight for social, racial, economic justice, and Indigenous and human rights, emphasizing that communities need climate justice now.

Lake demanded an end to "sacrifice people" and "sacrifice zones," challenging governments to confront the fossil fuel industry and deliver the promised $100 billion for a just transition. Highlighting that current commitments fall short of the 1.5°C target, she presented a "Call to Action" from the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice, outlining existing frameworks.

Read the Call to Action Statement here and the Framework Recommendations here.

During WECAN's Climate Week events, Thilmeeza Hussain, Permanent Representative to the UN and Ambassador from the Maldives, spoke with WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake. Their discussion focused on climate justice policies, women's leadership, and accelerating just, resilient, community-led solutions.

This event was part of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) three-day Climate Justice Forum. Titled "Facing the Climate Emergency on the Road to COP27: Solutions and Perspectives from Global Women and Gender Diverse Leaders," the forum took place September 20-22.

Global women leaders are spearheading critical strategies for national and international divestment from harmful extractive industries. They demand justice and accountability from financial institutions, advocating for a Just Transition that prioritizes people and planet.

On September 22, 2022, an event, part of WECAN’s three-day Climate Justice Forum, highlighted these efforts. WECAN presented the second edition of its report, "Gendered and Racial Impacts of the Fossil Fuel Industry," amplifying the voices and actions of global women leaders in divestment from fossil fuels, deforestation, and militarism. Prominent speakers contributed to the discussion.

On September 20, 2022, African feminist leaders convened to demand urgent, justice- and rights-centered climate action from governments ahead of COP27. During this event, they shared critical insights, solutions, and successful on-the-ground projects, emphasizing the vital role of African women's voices in climate discussions.

Speakers included Neema Namadamu (SAFECO/WECAN), Rita Uwaka (Friends of the Earth Africa), Sostine Namanya (NAPE), and Anne Songole (FEMNET). Osprey Orielle Lake (WECAN) moderated the discussion. This gathering was part of WECAN's three-day Climate Justice Forum, "Facing the Climate Emergency on the Road to COP27," held from September 20-22.

In June 2022, Osprey Orielle Lake delivered a presentation at Scenarios Forum Session 93.

Her talk, titled "Addressing the gender dimension in socioeconomic scenarios," explored policy and climate change impacts on gender equality, and gender equality's role as a driver of change.

Global women are at the forefront of movements and projects dedicated to building a healthy and just world. A recent event brought together grassroots women leaders and global advocates to address environmental degradation and the climate crisis.

They presented diverse strategies and solutions, including Indigenous rights, Rights of Nature, women's leadership, and food sovereignty, aimed at securing strong communities and a just planet for all generations. Speakers included Carmen Capriles, Dipti Bhatnagar, Jacqui Patterson, Neema Namadamu, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Casey Camp Horinek, and Osprey Orielle Lake.

Indigenous women are leading global efforts to uphold Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in interactions with financial institutions and corporations. These institutions often perpetuate human and Indigenous rights violations, particularly in extractive industries. A recent event highlighted the need for these entities to implement FPIC, Indigenous rights, and due diligence, while investing in climate justice solutions centered on Traditional Ecological Knowledge.

Given the climate crisis, respecting Indigenous knowledge, ways of life, and FPIC—including the right to say “no” to extraction—is paramount, as 80% of Earth's biodiversity remains on Indigenous lands. This discussion took place at a formal side-event of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2022, featuring Indigenous women leaders and global advocates like Sônia Guajajara and Casey Camp-Horinek.

An Escazú COP1 Side Event brought together women policymakers, Indigenous leaders, and human rights defenders to address the critical challenges faced by women land defenders protecting their communities from extractive industries. Discussions highlighted the implications and opportunities presented by the Escazú Agreement, a historic multilateral treaty focused on safeguarding the rights and participation of land defenders.

Prominent figures, including Indigenous leaders from Ecuador and Brazil, along with environmental advocates, shared their insights. The event underscored the agreement's vital role in empowering these women and ensuring their crucial work in defending territories and human rights is recognized and supported.

At the CSW66 side event, "Building Systemic Change: Frontline Women-Led Solutions for Climate Justice," Indigenous, Black, Brown, and frontline women leaders addressed multiple interlocking crises. They presented diverse climate justice strategies, including forest protection, Indigenous rights, food sovereignty, and community-led solutions.

Speakers featured Neema Namadamu, Monique Verdin, Jacqui Patterson, Melina Laboucan-Massimo, and Helena Gualinga. Their collective voices, analysis, and leadership are critical for building a resilient and just future. Event resources are available here.

International women leaders convened a press conference to discuss feminist and women-led visions for a healthy, equitable future. They shared insights from global movements, examined the impacts of international climate policies, and proposed strategies and alternatives.

Speakers included Neema Namadamu (DRC), Casey Camp Horinek (USA), Anne Songole (FEMNET, Kenya), Taily Terena (Brazil), and Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).

Facing escalating climate and ecological crises, humanity seeks a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth, where human rights do not extend to dominating nature. The Rights of Nature movement offers a systemic solution, rapidly growing globally.

A recent press conference showcased how this framework protects biodiverse ecosystems, Indigenous sovereignty, and human rights. Advocates from organizations like WECAN and Health of Mother Earth Foundation shared insights.

During the event, 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), was released. Read the report here.

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.