earth defenders

June 5th was marked as World Environment Day by the United Nations to raise awareness of and advocate for environmental causes. On World Environment Day, we should honor those who are on the frontlines, those who struggle the most to protect their communities. Environmental human rights defenders are people who protect rights associated with the environment, land, and territory. They are often community leaders, Indigenous people, and advocates who seek to protect the rights and well-being of their homes from destruction and contamination. Their stories are often fixed in a local context, but they have global significance. Defending environmental human rights is one of the deadliest types of activism. In 2017, 4 activists were killed each week – culminating in 207 killed – with South American being the most dangerous. Here is a highlight of several environmental defenders:  -       Berta Ćaceres, the cofounder of the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras, was shot dead by gunmen who entered her home because she was campaigning against the implementation of a hydroelectric dam due to community concerns to the Lenca People.  -       Amada Martínez is an Ava Guarani Indigenous environment defender from the Tekoha Sauce community. In 2018, a group of men threatened to kill her due to her work defending Indigenous people and the environment.  -       Patricia Gualinga, an Indigenous leader of the Kichwa people of Sarayaku community, faced death threats and physical attacks at her home because of her work ensuring rights for Indigenous people against the Ecuadorian government.  -       Nema Grefa, the President of the Sapara nationality of Ecuador, faced death threats and her appointment was revoked due to oil interests pushing back. She was formally recognized as President 10 months later but was subject to a home invasion where sensitive information on her human rights work was stolen.  -       Salomé Aranda, an Indigenous leader from the Kichwa People and the Women and Family Leader in Moretecocha commune, Pastaza province, was attacked and threatened in her home. The authorities have yet to offer her protection measures or make significant progress into the investigation.  -       Maroth Escobar, an Environmental and Indigenous people’s rights defender, was attacked by police officers at a protest in 2015 and was held on pre-trial detention for more than a week despite being in poor health. She was released and acquitted of all charges. In September of 2018, her house was set on fire, all belongings destroyed. The Fire Brigade found that it was arson. Environmental protectors, and in particular women and Indigenous activists, are at extreme risk of violence and death due to their work. Our Earth’s protectors must be heard and protected in turn, and those who seek to harm the Earth and its protectors must be held accountable and stopped.