What can I say? This one might be an emotional one for me as my journey to starting Mrs. Green’s World began deep inside the Amazon Rainforest. I would say, without hesitation, that Leila is a warrior through and through. Leila is also a mother; proud Chicana-Latina woman; and passionate defender of Mother Earth, the Amazon, indigenous rights and climate justice. Since 2015 she has served as the Executive Director of Amazon Watch, leading this organization in its work to protect and defend the bio-cultural and climate integrity of the Amazon rainforest by advancing indigenous peoples’ rights, territories, and solutions. It is an endless challenge and Leila is up to the task. For 20+ years she has worked to defend the world’s rainforests, human rights, and the climate through grassroots organizing and international advocacy campaigns at Amazon Watch, Rainforest Action Network, Global Exchange, and Green Corps.

SHOW NOTES

INSIGHTS

  • Want to understand why protecting the Amazon rainforest matters to all of us? Listen to this podcast to truly understand the reasons and the issues at hand.
  • “…As we see what is happening in the world, the dire need to protect Mother Earth…it is easy to focus on the threats…but when you are surrounded by 200,000 people marching for climate justice, indigenous peoples’ rights, women’s rights….our oceans, forests…our communities….united, we are not going to let this happen…”
  • Amazon Watch has been around for 21 years, itstarted with the vision of what can be done to protect the rainforest – the biggest, most biologically diverse rainforest with the biggest river.
  • Amazon Watch protects the rainforest by supporting the Indigenous people. Why is this the best way to protect the rainforest? Listen to learn more…
  • Flying rivers are water vapors lifted up by the trees that create flying rivers – literally. These rivers regulate the weather system of the planet, when they are off course, we see the droughts, floods, impacts of the weather system. Deforestation of the Amazon is impacting the flying rivers.
  • “Indigenous rights equal climate justice – Defend Protect Renew and Resist”
  • The Amazon is truly the lungs and heart of our planet and without it, we won’t be able to live here.
  • If we want to continue living on Earth, we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground and in the oceans. We are already exceeding our limits with what we are drilling now. It is not just about reducing emissions – it is about stopping extraction.
  • What does it mean to be a leader for climate? Leila discusses California positioning itself as a climate leader
  • We don’t have until 2030 to take action! Our planet doesn’t have another 15 years to wait.
  • “Indigenous people make up 4% of the global population, take up 20% of the planet’s land mass and indigenous land represents 80% of the earth’s biodiversity.”  If we want to protect our climate, we have to protect the land rights of indigenous peoples. It is at the core of what needs to be accomplished.
  • Women are disproportionately affected by climate change. The voices of women, girls, and women leaders need to be heard!
  • What brings Leila hope? Our coming together – especially women coming together and taking the lead on climate.

 GET INFORMED!

  • Visit the Amazon Watch Website
  • Like Amazon Watch Facebook and follow them on Twitter
  • “The world needs to wake up and protect the Amazon, which contains the forest and river spirits that keep the global system in balance. The rainforest is the lungs and heart of the world. If we don’t protect the Amazon, we’re all in trouble!” Manari Ushigua, President of the Sapara Nationality of Ecuador. Read more.
  • Check out Amazon Watch videos on YouTube

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