On March 31, 2026, the Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) hosted the "Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout." This virtual global event gathered diverse women leaders, policymakers, and advocates to discuss challenges and solutions for an equitable transition away from fossil fuels, in preparation for a historic government meeting in Colombia. Learn more about the assembly here.

WECAN Executive Director Osprey Orielle Lake delivered the opening keynote, followed by a powerful panel, "Women on the Frontlines: Ending Extraction of People and Planet," featuring Indigenous leaders and climate activists from around the globe.

Additionally, explore WECAN's report on the gendered and racial impacts of the fossil fuel industry here.

On March 31, 2026, the Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) hosted the "Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout." This virtual event gathered diverse women leaders, policymakers, and advocates to discuss equitable transition solutions, preparing for a historic government meeting in Colombia. Details: WECAN Assembly

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, delivered a powerful intervention. The "Government Leaders For A Fossil Fuel Phaseout" panel followed, co-hosted by the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative and Parliamentarians For a Fossil-Free Future, featuring diverse global leaders.

Further WECAN reports: "Prioritizing Care Work Can Unlock a Just Transition for All" (Care Report); "How Local Community Power is Central to a Just Renewable Energy Shift" (Renewable Energy Report).

On March 31, 2026, the Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN) hosted the virtual “Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout.” This strategic global event brought together diverse women leaders, policymakers, and advocates to discuss challenges and solutions for an equitable transition away from fossil fuels, in preparation for a historic government meeting in Colombia.

The Assembly featured a panel titled “Building a Just Transition,” with speakers including Tasneem Essop, Mela Chiponda, and Eriel Tchekwie Deranger. Actress and activist Alysia Reiner also delivered an intervention, and Osprey Orielle Lake provided closing remarks. Learn more: wecaninternational.org/woma-2026

WECAN is hosting the "Women’s Momentum Assembly for a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout," a virtual global assembly bringing together diverse women leaders. This event precedes the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels and is a strategic preparation for an historic government meeting in Colombia.

During the assembly, policymakers, frontline leaders, and advocates will discuss challenges and successful solutions for an equitable path to end the fossil fuel era. For interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English, join the live Zoom webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oUL1y0NKQNaM44gvYwM7OA

Day 2 of the 11th Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference focused on empowering the next generation of leaders. The day's events included awarding the Damu Smith Award to Donnelle Wilkins, Founder & CEO of the Green Door Initiative.

Attendees also participated in inspiring panel discussions, highlighting critical themes of environmental and climate justice.

Day 1 in New Orleans brought together students, faculty, and community leaders to bridge the gap between climate research and real-world action. These initial sessions highlighted the critical connection between climate justice and the fight for racial and economic equity.

This collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Bullard Center and DSCEJ, underscores a commitment to climate resilience, particularly within HBCU communities.

Day 1 in New Orleans, LA, convened students, faculty, and community leaders to bridge climate research with real-world action. Sessions underscored the inseparable link between climate justice and the fight for racial and economic equity.

Key themes included climate resilience and the vital role of HBCUs.

Over the past 20 years, youth incarceration has plummeted by 75% as states closed prisons and reformed policies. In her new book, *In Our Future We Are Free*, journalist Nell Bernstein dissects this transformation. She chronicles the forces that moved us from a "moral panic" to a time when youth prisons are rapidly fading.

Bernstein's book highlights the pivotal role of imprisoned youth, mothers, activists, and even prison officials in challenging the "racist brutality of youth prisons" and closing institutions. Join Nell Bernstein and moderator Chesa Boudin to learn how this coalition reformed a "racist and destructive institution" and what other social movements can learn from their struggle.

Rebecca Solnit, a renowned writer, historian, and influential feminist thinker, authored "Men Explain Things to Me." This essay famously articulated an experience shared by millions of women worldwide.

In a conversation with writer Marina Espasa, Solnit reflects on contemporary feminism, the narratives perpetuating inequality, and the urgent need to collectively rethink our relationships with nature, culture, and one another.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) addresses a critical digital gender gap. By 2025, an estimated 250 million fewer women than men will be connected to the internet. Maud Abaa underscores the vital importance of closing this disparity.

Discover more about ITU's efforts and initiatives by visiting their website: https://www.itu.int/160/.

The Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University released "Green Light to Pollute in Texas." This comprehensive report analyzes 89 new or expanding petrochemical facilities across five Texas regions.

Its stark findings reveal that 9 out of 10 facilities are planned in counties with higher concentrations of people of color and families in poverty. Nearly half are in neighborhoods among the worst 10% in the U.S. for toxic air releases. Furthermore, 93% are near other high-risk chemical plants, compounding threats of explosions, leaks, and chronic disease.

A related documentary features residents detailing how this industrial expansion has impacted their communities.

Texas is a global petrochemical hub, leading the U.S. in refining capacity and production. The Greater Houston area alone accounts for over 42% of the nation's base capacity.

This industrial concentration disproportionately affects fenceline communities, often low-income communities of color. They face increased health and environmental risks from facility expansions, which the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality frequently approves despite public resistance.

Inaam Chattha, who experienced eco-anxiety as a teen, channeled his concern into environmental activism, volunteering, and exploring the intersection of race, land, grief. Now a medical student, he authored children's books on eco-emotions and was named a Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalist by Starfish Canada.

In 2023, Chattha launched Green Mind, a national, youth-led initiative. It provides culturally grounded educational materials and a bilingual Climate Wellness Toolkit to help young people, especially from underrepresented communities, cope with climate anxiety and take action. The toolkit is used in Ontario classrooms for somatic grounding, journaling, and peer connection.

Sophie Tipper, passionate about environmental policy since middle school, joined the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) in July 2023. Noticing youth were absent from state environmental task forces, she and Ashna Shah developed a policy memo recommending youth advisors for the Colorado Department of Public Health's Environmental Justice Board. This led to drafting SB25-055, a bill requiring two youth members on the board. Despite a sponsor's election defeat, Tipper secured new support, and the bill was introduced to the Colorado legislature in January 2025.

SB25-055 subsequently passed and was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in May. Tipper, now drafting a plastic pollution bill, believes youth advocacy empowers young people to drive real policy change. She hopes to inspire similar youth-led environmental initiatives nationwide.

Lily YangLiu began activism at age 10, recognizing by 13 that youth voices were often tokenized. This sparked her commitment to inclusive political and environmental decision-making. She now leads K–12 Climate Literacy, developing early climate education for BC schools, and the Katija Hyoungjoo Neuber Institute, organizing youth delegations to the UN, IMF, and World Bank.

Her advocacy extends to YOUNGO, supporting 10,000 young climate advocates, and roles with Children First Canada and Youth Climate Corps BC. Named a Top 25 Woman of Influence in Canada, YangLiu believes "activism isn’t about noise; it’s about care, appreciation, and building inclusive communities," a principle guiding her work.

After the 2020 wildfires, Kyle Trefny became a wildland firefighter, connecting with peers passionate about transforming society's relationship with fire. This led him to co-found FireGeneration Collaborative (FireGen) in 2022. FireGen is a youth-led organization dedicated to shifting wildfire management from short-term disaster response to long-term resilience and Indigenous leadership.

Trefny co-led FireGen's national campaign, advocating for youth roles in policy. This resulted in FireGen members advising a federal commission and Director Ryan Reed becoming the youngest federal advisor in US history. Trefny has also been instrumental in shaping FireGen's vision and securing over $350,000 in grants, empowering youth and Indigenous voices for the future.

Joey Wu's personal experience with water scarcity in Taiwan ignited his passion for clean water access. Later, as an undergraduate, he designed a PFAS water filter. However, he learned that technical solutions alone are insufficient; they require community trust and socio-cultural buy-in for effective adoption.

In 2022, Wu launched Waterroots, a youth-led climate literacy initiative. It empowers young leaders in water-stressed regions to bridge the gap between technical solutions and community needs, inspiring locally-driven action. Waterroots has grown into a digital community with over 50 members across 25 countries, sharing their water stories through platforms like YouTube. Wu mentors these leaders, fostering global conversations on our shared planetary future.

An event titled "Women in Action for Climate Justice and a Just Transition: Path to COP30 and Beyond" brought together diverse global women leaders. They highlighted the importance of a Just Transition and presented comprehensive, intersectional strategies to advance community-led climate solutions, phase out fossil fuels, protect democracy, and strengthen the climate justice movement.

Discussions focused on critical topics such as forest protection, reforestation, gender-responsive climate policies, fossil fuel resistance, food sovereignty, Indigenous and human rights, Rights of Nature, and strategic campaigns for COP30 and future climate action.

Prominent speakers included Thilmeeza Hussain (UN), Eriel Tchekwie Deranger (2024 Climate Breakthrough Award Winner), Bridget Burns (WEDO), Tzeporah Berman (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty), Colette Pichon-Battle (Taproot Earth), Jozileia Kaingang (ANMIGA), Taily Terena (2025 Global Citizen Prize Winner), and Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador). The event was moderated by Osprey Orielle Lake, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).

The documentary "A Miracle A Day" portrays the All Bengal Women's Union Welfare Home in Kolkata, India. Founded in 1932, this thriving refuge provides a safe haven for 150-200 girls, women, and babies—from infants to the elderly—offering escape from brothels, trafficking, poverty, and abandonment. It serves as a modern example of institutions depicted in the acclaimed film "Lion."

The home offers essential food, clothing, shelter, education, and vocational training, supported by dedicated staff and volunteers. "A Miracle A Day" is an uplifting testament to the human spirit's capacity to surmount obstacles and transcend adversity.

Deborah Harse, Director