COP21 Mobilization Plans Announced by the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network

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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., October 22, 2015- This December 2015 world governments will gather in Paris, France for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP21 climate negotiations, where they will work to finalize an international climate agreement with profound implications for our global trajectory and the health of people and planet.

The Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN International) will be on the ground in Paris during COP21 climate negotiations, standing for action plans and policies that are in line with the magnitude of the global climate crisis, and which foster justice for women, the Earth, and all of its peoples.

The organization will advocate for climate justice and women's leadership inside COP21 as part of the Women and Gender Constituency, and will lead and participate in diverse civil society events and direct actions outside of the formal negotiation process.

On Monday December 7th, WECAN International will present 'Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change - Paris', an extraordinary afternoon and evening with worldwide women leaders joined in solidarity to speak out against environmental and social injustice, draw attention to root causes of the climate crisis, and present the diverse visions and strategies with which they are working to shape a healthy and equitable world.

'Women Leading Solutions' will be held from 1:00 - 6:30 pm at the Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel, 16 Boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris.

On December 4th and 5th, WECAN will participate in the International Rights of Nature Tribunal, a gathering of internationally renowned lawyers and leaders for planetary justice, who will hear cases addressing issues such as climate change, GMOs, fracking, extractive industries and other environmental violations. The Tribunal, presented by the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, will offer judgments and recommendations for the Earth's protection and restoration based on the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth.

WECAN International serves on the Steering Committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and WECAN's Executive Director, Osprey Orielle Lake, will serve as the lead tribunal judge for the climate change case.

As part of COP21 advocacy work, WECAN International will share and mobilize for action as laid out in the Women's Climate Action Agenda, and will present the Women's Climate Declaration and signatures directly to world governments. An aggregate of over 10 million signatures have been collected thus far as part of the Movement to Action Campaign.

"The window of opportunity for acting on climate change will not be open for long - making this likely the most critical climate negotiations of our times," explained Osprey Orielle Lake, co-Founder and Executive Director of WECAN International, "Across the globe, women are facing the effects of a changing climate on a daily basis, and are risking their lives in defense of their communities and the Earth - however their voices have been repeatedly excluded from international climate policy making. During COP21 this December, WECAN International and allies will be mobilizing ceaselessly to raise up women's experiences and insights, expose false climate solutions, and demonstrate to world governments that the time has come to listen to women's calls for climate justice."

'Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change- Paris' and the International Rights of Nature Tribunal are free and open to the public. Details and registration information are available at: wecaninternational.org/pages/wecan-cop21

Photo 1: WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake at COP21 Lima

Photo 2: Patricia Gualinga of Ecuador speaks at a WECAN event

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