L.A. AT LARGE

Alice & Shelby – L.A. Times

   Cutting emissions: The port complex in Los Angeles and Long Beach is still the No. 1 source of air pollution in Southern California, so Mayor Eric Garcetti has appointed a 10-member advisory board to expand zero-emissions technology. “We can have healthy communities and we can have a healthy port. We can have economic growth and clean air,” the mayor said. Los Angeles Times

This September, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s World Conservation Congress will bring together the world’s most preeminent thinkers, advocates and leaders to address society’s biggest ecological challenges. This year’s Planet at the Crossroads conference will focus on moving 2015’s historic climate agreements into action.

It’s imperative that indigenous voices and solutions that respect “living forests” are heard at this event. Amazon Watch will accompany allies from the Sarayaku people of Ecuador to promote their Kawsak Sacha proposal, and we need your financial support TODAY to ensure that it is spotlighted.

With Sarayaku’s ancestral territory under imminent threat from state-sanctioned oil drilling, their vision is not only compelling; it offers the best hope for protecting their territory, health, and culture from climate-destroying oil drilling.

At the WCC, Amazon Watch will join Sarayaku and other allies in promoting true solutions that respect “No Go policies” for mineral extraction in relation to World Heritage Sites, sacred natural sites and primary forests.

A generous donor has offered to match up to $5,000 for the costs of getting our partners to the conference, accompanying them, and providing translation and communications support. We have 48 hours to meet our $10,000 goal.

Please give as generously as you can in support of advancing this vision for sustainable Amazon ecosystems, indigenous communities, and our global climate.

For the Amazon,

Leila Salazar-López
Executive Director