EARTHWORKS

New from the UN Environment Programme's Science-Policy-Business Forum: As the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) begins, Earthworks' Benjamin Hitchcock Auciello and SIRGE Coalition's Bryan Bixcul (Maya Tz'utujil) consider challenges and opportunities for Indigenous rights, biodiversity, and the energy transition in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework. "For Target 15 to effectively compel mining companies, alongside other corporate actors, to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, such implementation must: (1) require, not just encourage, companies to report in detail on how Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) has been obtained from affected Indigenous Peoples; (2) require States to provide for an independent grievance mechanism that has the authority to enforce sanctions and injunctive measures as required to remedy violations of Indigenous Rights or inaccurate reporting regarding the same; and (3) require States to provide the means necessary to build the capacity of Indigenous governance structures to exercise their right to self-determination and FPIC." 🔗 bit.ly/target-15

🧫 Mercury Contamination in Texas Bay Sparks Concerns 🌊 New research reveals dangerously high levels of mercury in Lavaca Bay, threatening both wildlife and the health of local communities. The proposed dredging project to expand an oil terminal could stir up even more toxins, putting Latino and Indigenous communities, who rely on these waters, at greater risk. 🚨💧 For many in these communities, clear information in their language has been key to understanding the health risks they face. Language justice ensures everyone impacted can advocate for their safety, environment, and future. ✊💬 Read more 📎➡️ https://lnkd.in/gpQ6Ytme #LatinoVoices #ProtectOurWaters #LanguageJustice

🌿 Victory for the Valley: Chubb Drops LNG! 🚫 After relentless community organizing, insurance giant Chubb officially dropped coverage for the Rio Grande LNG project! This controversial plan would decimate one of Texas's last untouched coastal areas, threatening wildlife and local communities. 🌊🦅 Latino and Indigenous voices made it clear: these lands and lives are not for sale. This victory highlights how essential clear, inclusive communication is in the fight for justice. 🌎💚 Read more 📎➡️ https://lnkd.in/gxFgNnNQ #NoLNG #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityPower

Oil & Gas Setbacks Needed to Protect PA Health 🛢 Recent studies show that air and water pollution from drilling sites are linked to higher rates of respiratory issues, cancer, and other serious health problems in nearby communities. 😷 This is a reality we cannot ignore. Pennsylvania needs stronger regulations and setbacks, or minimum distances between drilling sites and homes, schools, and water sources, to protect communities and ensure clean air and water for all. 🛑 Sign the petition now and make your voice heard: https://bit.ly/PAbuffers #CleanAir #PublicHealth #Pennsylvania #OilAndGas

📰100 years of oil & gas in NM has left 1,000s of abandoned, polluting wells, harming the health of communities. 😤 Oil & gas companies big & small should be responsible for closing & cleaning up wells. Join us to ensure oil wells are #DesertedNoMore! https://bit.ly/NMBonding

✊ Victory for the Valley: CCS is Cancelled, For Now! 🚫 After years of community advocacy, Rio Grande LNG’s plan for Carbon Capture Sequestration has been shut down! This harmful project would have drawn millions of gallons of water and polluted already vulnerable communities in the Rio Grande Valley. 🌱💧 Latino and Indigenous voices played a crucial role in pushing back, proving that real change happens when our communities speak up. Language justice is essential in the fight for environmental justice! 💬🌎 Read more 📎➡️ bit.ly/LNGCCS #LanguageJustice #CommunityPower #NoLNG

Big Oil Once Shouting Support, Now Remains Silent (and inactive) on Methane: Our best science says we must cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. Reducing methane is a critical part of reaching that goal. Oil & gas companies sang their own praises and made voluntary methane reduction commitments when the EPA weighed national methane rules last year. At nearly a year since the EPA’s final rule was announced, none of those companies have followed through on their commitments. 😠 Action is all that matters. ➡️ Read our new blog on how Big Oil is employing old tricks to shirk new rules: https://lnkd.in/gCWGQEQi

Today is about solidarity—standing with Indigenous communities on the frontlines of the fight for environmental justice. Indigenous leaders are protecting their lands and cultures from harmful oil & gas extraction in places like the Navajo Nation, where pollution is threatening both the land and the people. 🛑🏞️ It’s time to take action! Sign the petition to uplift Indigenous voices, defend sacred lands, and ensure a healthier planet for generations to come. Every signature makes a difference in holding industries accountable and safeguarding our shared future. 🌍💚 Sign at 📝➡️ https://lnkd.in/gpUUcWMK #IndigenousPeoplesDay #ClimateJusticeForAll #SacredLands

Join us for Extractive Companies Suing Guatemala: Injustices and Solutions. Tuesday October 15, 6:00 pm EST - 4:00 pm CST - 3:00 PST Join us for a conversation with communities in resistance to mining and energy projects in La Puya and Ixquisis, Guatemala where corporations have brought million dollar arbitration claims against the government. We’ll also hear about grassroots and national efforts in Ecuador that enabled its withdrawal from Investor State Dispute Settlement or ISDS that enables unjust corporate claims. With the participation of: - Deodora Olivia, Peaceful Resistance La Puya - Representative of the Plurinational Government from Ixquisis - Javier Echaide, Doctor in Law, University of Buenos Aires & ex Vice President of the Ecuadorian Citizens Commission for a Comprehensive Audit of Investment Protection Treaties and of the International Arbitration System on Investments (CAITISA) - David Fajardo, member of the collectives Yasunidos de Guapondelig and the Water Council, Cuenca, Ecuador Moderator: Laura Carlson, JASS Mesoamérica Simultaneous interpretation to English available by Zoom Register here: https://lnkd.in/gG3a9hqw Facebook Live in Spanish: https://lnkd.in/g4Gg8CCn __________ Demandas por Empresas Extractivistas contra Guatemala: injusticias y salidas Martes 15 de octubre 4:00 pm Guate - 6:00 pm EST Acompañanos para una conversación con comunidades en resistencia a los proyectos extractivistas en La Puya e Ixquisis, Guatemala, donde las empresas han presentado demandas millonarias de arbitraje contra el gobierno. También escucharemos sobre los esfuerzos nacionales y de base en Ecuador que permitieron su retirada del sistema de arbitraje internacional - conocido como ISDS - que permite estas demandas injustas. Con participación de: - Deodora Olivia, Resistencia Pacífica La Puya - Representante de Ixquisis y del Gobierno Plurinacional - Javier Echaide, Doctor en Derecho, Universidad de Buenos Aires y Ex Vicepresidente de la Comisión de Auditoría Integral Ciudadana de los Tratados de Inversión y del Sistema de Arbitraje (CAITISA) de Ecuador - David Fajardo, integrante de los colectivos Yasunidos de Guapondelig y Cabildo por el Agua de Cuenca, Ecuador Moderadora: Laura Carlson, JASS Mesoamérica Interpretación simultánea disponible por Zoom Registrar acá: https://lnkd.in/gG3a9hqw Facebook Live: https://lnkd.in/g4Gg8CCn

#DYK?! In Commerce City, Colorado, Suncor’s refinery is the only major petroleum refinery in the state, and one of the state’s largest single sources of air pollution. 🏭 🤢 There is no excuse for lax oversight of pollution that has known impacts on public health. The environmental health injustices faced by the communities surrounding the refinery are no accident, they are the direct result of a regulatory system that has permitted the refinery to pollute nearby residents for generations. #Colorado needs to make substantive improvements in addressing environmental injustices. Read our blog about reality for residents on the ground: https://lnkd.in/d3emvZ8H