NEWS from
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Emily Arasim
+1 (505) 920-0153
emily@wecaninternational.org
Nobel Laureate, UN Climate Change Envoy, & Frontline Leaders to
Raise Voices at ‘Women Speak: Climate Justice on the Road to Paris
& Beyond’
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, Calif., August 11, 2015 – In an effort to bring
women’s voices to the forefront of climate change conversations in the lead
up to the December 2015 United Nations COP21 climate negotiations and
beyond, women from around the world will unite to speak out for justice,
gender equality, and bold action on climate change at ‘Women Speak:
Climate Justice on the Road to Paris & Beyond’.
The event, presented by the Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network
(WECAN International), will feature presentations and action plans by women
leaders joined in solidarity to address the activities and policies that lie at the
heart of the climate crisis, explore why women are key to just and effective
solutions, and present the diverse array of visions and strategies with which
they are working to shape a healthy and equitable world. ‘Women Speak’ will
also include a reading and signing ceremony for the Women’s Climate
Declaration, available in five languages on the WECAN International
webpage.
Speakers to date include Mary Robinson, UN Special Envoy on Climate
Change and former President of Ireland; Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize
recipient and long-time human, women, and environmental rights defender;
Melina Laboucan-Massismo, Indigenous and environmental activist with
Greenpeace Canada and the Indigenous Environmental Network; May
Boeve, Executive Director of 350.org; Diane Moss, Renewables 100 Policy
Institute; Jacqui Patterson, NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice
Program; Thilmeeza Hussein, Voice of Women, Maldives and former
Deputy Permanent Representative to the Mission of the Maldives to the UN;
Neha Misra, Solar Sister; Nina Gualinga, Indigenous leader from
Sarayaku, Ecuador; and Osprey Orielle Lake and Sally Ranney, WECAN
International.
This special event will additionally serve as the hub event for the Global
Women's Climate Justice Day of Action, occurring worldwide through
decentralized local actions held on this day. While event presenters and allies
gather and speak out for change in New York City, women across the globe
will be demonstrating actions in their communities to show the strength and
diversity of women calling for climate justice. Solutions, stories, policy
demands, and statements submitted by worldwide women activists will be
presented and honored during the ‘Women Speak’ event. Organizers hope to
draw the attention of world leaders who will be gathered across the street
from the ‘Women Speak’ event meeting for this year’s United Nations
Generally Assembly.
“Women’s role as central stakeholders is one of the most important, yet
untold stories of climate change. If we are to have a fighting chance at
restoring the health of the Earth and our communities, women’s experiences
and knowledge must be brought to the forefront,” explained Osprey Orielle
Lake, co-Founder and Executive Director of WECAN International, “the
September 29 ‘Women Speak’ event in New York City and Global Women’s
Climate Justice Day of Action happening worldwide are critical opportunities
to call for rights-based solutions to climate change, and to strengthen and
uplift a collective women’s voice for climate justice.”
‘Women Speak: Climate Justice on the Road to Paris & Beyond’ will be held
from 1:00 – 5:00 pm on September 29, 2015 at the United Nations Church
Center, 777 1st Avenue, E 44th Street, New York City. This event is free and
open to the public, however registration is required.
More information and a registration portal can be found by visiting
wecaninternational.org/wecan-nyc-september-2015
-# # #About WECAN International
www.wecaninternational.org
The Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN International) is a
solutions-based, multi-faceted effort established to engage women worldwide
as powerful stakeholders in climate change and sustainability solutions.
Recent work includes the 2013 International Women’s Earth and Climate
Summit, Women’s Climate Declaration, and WECAN Women’s Climate Action
Agenda. International climate advocacy is complemented with on-the-ground
programs such as the Women’s for Forests and Fossil Fuel/Mining/Mega Dam
Resistance, and Regional Climate Solutions Trainings in the Middle East North
Africa region and Democratic Republic of Congo. WECAN International was
founded in 2013 as a project of the 501(c)3 Women’s Earth and Climate
Caucus (WECC) organization and its partner eraGlobal Alliance.