The United Nations pushed for widespread adoption of the Escazú Agreement, the first climate agreement focused on Indigenous perspectives. It upholds the notion that protecting the environment requires uplifting, engaging, and centering Indigenous communities. Multiple activists, such as Patricia Gualinga, an Amazonian women spokesperson, and Osprey Orielle Lake, WECAN’s executive director, spoke up during the conference to advocate for Indigenous knowledge and protection. Indigenous environmental protectors are often hurt or killed during their work. During both illegal and permitted logging and mining, Indigenous communities are frequently displaced or disproportionately affected by resulting health issues. The Escazú Agreement aims to prevent these injustices, calling for stricter protections for Indigenous communities and environmental activists.
