CEESP Newsletter on Environmental Defenders

The stories and voices of environmental defenders across the globe: Special issue of Policy Matters

The September 2021 CEESP Newsletter focuses on the stories and voices of environmental defenders: this is the topic of the special issue of Policy Matters, launched during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France. In 2019, before the COVID epidemic shook the world, members of IUCN’s Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) came together to begin developing this special issue, which evolved into a landmark, three-volume series with an interdisciplinary mix of academic articles, poetry, music, art, videos and photos. It is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal published electronically and in print by IUCN CEESP.

Environmental defenders, human rights and the growing role of IUCN policy: retired, red-tagged or red-listed?

As environmental defender issues receive unprecedented international attention, questions arise about the role and response from promoters of conservation activity and cooperation in general and the current and potential role of the IUCN in particular, as demonstrated by a recent virtual dialogue co-organised by CEESP and the University of Geneva entitled “Environmental human rights defenders in the pandemic: the Geneva Roadmap & strengthening IUCN action." Although IUCN has long addressed environmental defenders in policy frameworks and activities, we suggest that approaches have mainly been reactive rather than preventive

The song "Inzulu" - stories and voices of environmental defenders

The song “Inzulu” is a metaphorical interpretation, linking environmental destruction carried out by extractive industries with struggles of defenders, and highlights the tragic assassinations of activists, providing a deeper appreciation of the struggles defenders face and a clear image of what they stand for. In their lyrics, Soundz calls for us all to “be the change we seek to see”.

Imagining otherwise: steps forward for a greater recognition of Indigenous wisdom and resistance (EN)
Imaginer autrement: des pas en avant pour une plus grande reconnaissance de la sagesse et de la résistance autochtones (FR)

A call to action

1. The criminalisation of environmental defenders must stop immediately. No one should be killed, assaulted, driven from the land of their ancestors, or simply marginalised for standing up for our most precious common good: life itself.
2. We need dedicated support, resources, intelligence and funding. Right now, for us, the defenders of the environment, resistance has but one name: action. To do this, we need to be given the means to act.
3. Finally, climate policies and actions need to be more participatory, from design to implementation, which means improving Indigenous participation in decision -making.

“Return to Being;” A poem by Nnimmo Bassey

The poem by Nnimmo Bassey “Return to Being” tells of the destructive actions and decisions that humans make and of Mother Earth’s concern for the “children she has spawned”. Bassey takes us on a journey of self-reflection to decide whether we are “too far gone to hear” as we watch our “trees metamorphose into carbon sinks” while our “commons are enclosed”. The poem ends with Mother Earth awakening, embracing her visible and invisible children, and “finally humans return to being”.

"More;" A poem by shalan joudry

A thought-provoking poem entitled “More”, by Shalan Joudry, helps us re-situate and reflect on how “there is always more that needs tending, more calls to act”. Joudry encourages us to “speak our truth [even] when it would be easier to stay silent”. The poem anchors us in the present moment, allowing us to feel both expansive and focused, determined and concerned.

Women building power: activist stories, testimonies

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new layers of strain to the pre-existing burdens faced by women in communities across South Africa (and the continent). Even though the virus knows no boundaries affecting both women and men- women are more at risk because of the role they play in their families and communities. Their livelihoods have been adversely impacted by the lockdown regulations. The situation in local communities is desperate. Women are fighting to protect their lives, dignity, integrity, and tend to their immediate needs to survive. They have been doing so by organising through various ways such as providing food parcels, hand sanitisers, baby clothes and blankets to support vulnerable community members.

"Rap del Veedor;" A song by Gasel

The song “Rap del Veedor” was created by the talented Gasel, who represents the communities in which the Amazonia 2.0 project is implemented in Atalaya, Peru. This live performance was recorded as part of the inauguration of the Global Youth Summit in April 2021.

Moving in the Rights direction: To successfully conserve nature requires empowered stewardship by Indigenous Peoples and local communities

A new study led by members of CEESP's Theme on Human Wellbeing and Sustainable Livelihoods provides yet more evidence that conservation led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, based around their own knowledge systems and stewardship, is the best strategy for people and nature.

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