G1. Progressive Green

 

Roots Newsletter: July 2024

Dear friends, members, allies and comrades,

As we stride into the second half of the year, take a moment to reflect on the work of the past few months in our enduring mission to advocate for the conservation and restoration of forest ecosystems through defending and promoting respect for the rights, territories, traditional knowledge and sustainable livelihoods of the Indigenous Peoples, local communities and women that co-exist with them.

In May, GFC welcomed Mary Louise Malig as the coalition’s new Policy Director. Mary Lou has been connected to the Global Forest Coalition for many years and has decades of experience in forestry policy and advocacy. Under this new stewardship, GFC and its members maintain our pursuit of rights and justice for communities, women, and environmental defenders, who continue to face human rights abuses. We’ve also been busy engaging with major international policy forums, including the UNFCCC, where GFC and members were busy at the SB60 conference in Bonn in June, as well as engaging with the Convention on Biological Diversity at the SBI4 in Nairobi in May. At both events, GFC and its members continued to push for the inclusion and voices of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and other rightsholders whose voices remain unheard from discussions and policy decisions. We were also present at the XI FOSPA (Pan-Amazon Social Forum) conference and the People’s Mobilization for Earth and Climate, in Bolivia in June, where we held important conversations with activists and leaders from Indigenous, Afro-descendant and other land-based communities on coalition building and strategising in defence of nature and the people of the Amazon rainforest.

GFC staff and members take part in a protest action at the COP-SBI4 meeting at the UNOP building in Nairobi, Kenya, denouncing the limited budget for the KM-CBD framework and excessive funding of harmful activities.

Forest policies, including those linked to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, continue to be plagued by false solutions that perpetuate the status quo and further endanger our fragile ecosystems, trampling on the rights of forest communities and others. Rather, we must promote real solutions built on gender justice, human rights, and ecological harmony.

With key global policy events coming later in the year, including CBD COP16 in Colombia in October and UNFCCC COP 29 in Azerbaijan in November, we are already engaging with members, communities and allies as we seek to strengthen our collective actions to ensure forest policies that truly reflect the rights and aspirations of us all, and can successfully navigate the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity and ecosystem loss. Together, we are rejecting false, market-based solutions and ensuring the centrality of real solutions to these crises. 

Please make sure to review our recent work and stay connected with our united efforts. If you are not already, please email the relevant campaigns below to subscribe to our listservs and remain updated and engaged on our work under each of the following GFC Campaigns:

Unsustainable Livestock Production

Forests and Climate Change

Extractive Industries, Tourism and Infrastructure

Gender Justice and Forests

CBD SBI4 Nairobi

ECO Issue Article: Asymmetries in Resource Mobilization: Direct Access for Frontline Communities Still Overlooked

CBD SBI 4 Side event: Will biodiversity offsets and credits help us achieve the global biodiversity targets?

CBD SBI 4 Side event: Mainstreaming, resource mobilization and policy coherence for implementation

SB60 Bonn

The Global Forest Coalition (GFC) and member organisations were in Bonn from June 3-13 where once again, we were pushing for an end to false climate solutions and a focus on real solutions. GFC took part in several press conferences and side events and held side meetings with GFC members and allies to strategize and share information on key issues.

Press Conference: REDD+ Alert: Will the UN fold REDD+ into the Article 6 global offset scheme?

Press Conference: True International Cooperation: Moving Beyond Carbon Markets

Press Conference: Finance and the Land Sector in the UNFCCC: What are the Problems and What Needs to Change?

Research and Reports

Annual Report: GFC Annual Report 2023

Case Study: GALAXIAS UNICAM: Agroecological shelters for positive living

Briefing paper: Who Really Benefits? How REDD+ Fails Forests and Those Who Protect Them

White Paper: The Just Transition from Industrial Animal Production to equitable, humane and sustainable food systems

Media and Public Advocacy

Joint open letter: Halt Imports of Avocados from Mexico that Cause Deforestation

Joint open letter and citizen petition: More than 150.000 citizens and 280 organizations call on World Bank to Stop Financing Factory Farming

Webpost and Video: International Mother Earth Day 2024: An Ode to Mother Earth

Media Mention: GFC report cited in Uganda carbon offsetting investigation

Media Mention: GFC points finger at South Korea for taking advantage of climate accounting loophole to expand biomass industry

Article: A River’s Rights: Indigenous Kukama Women Lead the Way with Landmark Legal Victory

Article: ¿A quién le sirve hablar “carbonés”?

Joint Statement: We condemn the violations of the right to protest and the attacks against human rights and water defenders in the Libres-Oriental Basin who were protesting against Carroll Farms

Engagement

UNCBD Women’s Caucus Meeting with members of Colombia’s Delegation towards CBD COP 16 

CBD Alliance Action on Resource Mobilization – “Where is the money going?”

UNCBD Women’s Caucus Policy Recommendations on Resource Mobilization

Informal Dialogue on a new programme of work and institutional arrangements on Article 8(j) and other provisions of the Convention related to Indigenous peoples and local communities

Webinars and Side Events

Webinar: Biodiversity Offsets and Credits: False solutions to a false problem

Webinar: How Can You Stop Financing Factory Farming? Industrial Livestock Campaigning 101

UNCBD Women’s Caucus side event: Enhancing Gender Responsiveness in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)

Meetings, Workshops, and Training

Workshop with Gender Technical Partners of the Green Livelihood Alliance (GLA) programme, in partnership with Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) – Nairobi, Kenya 

Thank you for reading this issue of Roots and for your important work and collective solidarity. We hope you’ll stay connected with GFC’s campaigns and network of members!

In Solidarity,

The GFC Team

The post Roots July 2024: Uniting for Forests and Forest Peoples appeared first on Global Forest Coalition.

Информационный бюллетень Roots: июль 2024 г.

 

Дорогие друзья, партнеры, союзники и товарищи!

 

Вступая во вторую половину года, постарайтесь найти время, чтобы поразмышлять о результатах работы последних нескольких месяцев в рамках нашей постоянной миссии по пропаганде сохранения и восстановления лесных экосистем посредством защиты и содействия уважению прав, территорий, традиционных знания и устойчивые средства к существованию коренных народов, местных общин и женщин, – всех тех, кто  сосуществует с лесными экосистемами.

 

В мае ГЛК приветствовала Мэри Луизу Малиг в качестве нового политического директора коалиции. Мэри Лу уже много лет связана с Глобальной лесной коалицией и имеет многолетний опыт в области лесной политики и пропаганды. Под этим новым руководством ГЛК  и ее члены продолжают добиваться прав и справедливости для сообществ, женщин и защитников окружающей среды, которые продолжают сталкиваться с нарушениями прав человека. Мы также были заняты участием в крупных международных политических форумах, включая РКИК ООН, где ГЛК и члены были заняты на конференции SB60 в Бонне в июне, а также в сотрудничестве с Конвенцией о биологическом разнообразии на ВОО4 в Найроби в мае. На обоих мероприятиях ГЛК и ее члены продолжали добиваться включения и участия коренных народов, местных сообществ, женщин и других правообладателей, чьи голоса остаются незаметными и неслышимыми  среди дискуссий и политических решений. Мы также присутствовали на XI Конференции FOSPA (Пан-Амазонский социальный форум) и Народной мобилизации в защиту Земли и климата, в Боливии в июне, где мы провели важные беседы по вопросам создания коалиций и разработки стратегии в защиту природы и жителей тропических лесов Амазонки с активистами и лидерами коренных народов, африканского происхождения и других территориальных  сообществ.

Лесная политика, в том числе связанная с решением проблемы изменения климата и утраты биоразнообразия, по-прежнему страдает от ложных решений, которые закрепляют  статус-кво и еще больше ставят под угрозу наши хрупкие экосистемы, попирая права лесных сообществ и других  заинтересованных сторон. Скорее всего, мы должны способствовать реальным решениям, способствующим достижению  гендерной справедливости, защите прав человека и экологической гармонии.

Поскольку ключевые глобальные политические мероприятия должны состояться позже в этом году, в том числе КС16 (COP16) КБР в Колумбии в октябре и КС 29 (COP 29) РКИК ООН  в Азербайджане в ноябре, мы уже взаимодействуем с партнерами , сообществами и союзниками, стремясь усилить наши коллективные действия по обеспечению лесной политики, которая действительно отражают права и чаяния всех нас и могут успешно преодолевать взаимосвязанные кризисы изменения климата, утраты биоразнообразия и экосистем. Вместе мы отказываемся от ложных, рыночных решений и обеспечение центральной роли реальных решений этих кризисов. 

 

Пожалуйста, обязательно ознакомьтесь с результатами нашей недавней работы и поддерживайте  наши объединенные усилия. Если вы еще этого не сделали, отправьте электронное письмо  соответствующим кампаниям, указанным ниже, чтобы подписаться на наши рассылки и оставаться в курсе событий и участвовать в нашей работе в рамках каждой из следующих кампаний ГЛК:

Неустойчивое животноводство

Леса и изменение климата

Добывающий Отрасли, Туризм и инфраструктура

Гендерная справедливость и леса

КБР ВОО4 Найроби

Статья выпуска ОЭС: Асимметрия в мобилизации ресурсов: прямой доступ для приграничных  сообществ все еще игнорируется

 

Параллельное мероприятие КБР SBI 4: Помогут ли компенсации и кредиты за биоразнообразие нам достичь глобальных целей в области биоразнообразия? Параллельное мероприятие КБР ВОО 4: Актуализация, мобилизация ресурсов и согласованность политики для реализации

 

SB60 Бонн

Глобальная лесная коалиция (ГЛК) и организации-члены находились в Бонне с 3 по 13 июня, где мы еще раз выступали за прекращение ложных климатических решений и сосредоточение внимания на реальных решениях. ГЛК принял участие в нескольких пресс-конференциях и параллельных мероприятиях, а также провел дополнительные встречи с членами и союзниками ГЛК для выработки стратегии и обмена информацией по ключевым вопросам.

Пресс-конференция: Предупреждение REDD+: Включит ли ООН REDD+ в глобальную компенсационную схему по статье 6?

Пресс-конференция: Настоящее международное сотрудничество: выход за рамки углеродных рынков

Пресс-конференция: Финансы и земельный сектор в РКИК ООН: каковы проблемы и что необходимо изменить?

 

Исследования и отчеты

 

Годовой отчет: Годовой отчет ГЛК за 2023 год

 

Тематическое исследование: GALAXIAS UNICAM: Агроэкологические поселения  для позитивной жизни

 

Информационный документ: Кому действительно выгодно? Как REDD+ подводит леса и тех, кто их защищает

 

Белая бумага: Справедливый переход от промышленного животноводства к справедливым, гуманным и устойчивым продовольственным системам

СМИ и общественная пропаганда

 

Совместное открытое письмо: Прекращение  импорта авокадо из Мексики, вызывающее вырубку лесов

 

Совместное открытое письмо и гражданское обращение: Более 150 000 граждан и 280 организаций призывают Всемирный банк прекратить финансирование промышленного животноводства .

 

Веб-пост и видео: Международный день Матери-Земли 2024 года: Ода Матери-Земле

 

Упоминание в СМИ: Отчет ГЛК упоминается в расследовании по компенсации выбросов углекислого газа в Уганде

 

Упоминание в СМИ:  ГЛК обличает  Южную Корею за то, что она воспользовалась лазейкой в ​​учете климата для расширения производства биомассы

 

Астатья: Права реки: женщины из числа коренного населения Кукама лидируют, одержав знаменательную юридическую победу

 

Статья: Кому выгодно говорить «карбоне»?

 

Совместное заявление: Мы осуждаем нарушения права на протест и нападения на правозащитников и защитников водных ресурсов Восточного бассейна Либре, протестовавших против ферм Кэрролла.

 

Взаимодействие

 

КБР ВОО 4

Встреча Женского собрания КБР с участием членов делегации Колумбии на КС 16 КБР 

 

Действия Альянса КБР по мобилизации ресурсов — «Куда идут деньги?»

 

Политические рекомендации Женского собрания КБР по мобилизации ресурсов

 

Неофициальный диалог по новой программе работы и институциональным механизмам по статье 8(j) и другим положениям Конвенции, касающимся Местных народов и местных сообществ

 

Вебинары и параллельные мероприятия

 

Вебинар | Компенсации и кредиты для биоразнообразия: ложные решения ложной проблемы

 

Как можно прекратить финансирование промышленного фермерства? Кампания по промышленному животноводству 101

 

Параллельное мероприятие Женского собрания КБР ООН: Увеличение освещения  гендерной чувствительности в национальных стратегиях и планах действий по сохранению биоразнообразия (НСПДСБ)

 

Встречи, семинары и обучение

 

Семинар совместно с гендерными техническими партнерами программы Альянса зеленых средств к существованию (GLA) в партнерстве с организацией «Женщины за общее будущее» (WECF) – Найроби, Кения 

 

Благодарим  вас за чтение этого номера журнала Roots, за вашу важную работу и коллективную солидарность. Мы надеемся, что вы будете оставаться на связи с нашими кампаниями и сетью парнеров ГЛК !

В знак солидарности,

Команда ГЛК

 

The post RUS Roots July 2024 appeared first on Global Forest Coalition.

Clean slate: Choosing better stain removers for a healthier home JR Culpepper July 18, 2024

Summer is officially here, and with it the joys of children playing outside, exploring and –  inevitably – getting dirty. These outdoor activities are good for kids’ health and development, but they can also pose a challenge: stubborn clothes stains.

Choosing a stain remover from all the available options can be daunting. How can you make sure the product you choose is tough on grass, dirt and food stains, but not on your family’s health and the environment? 

EWG is here to help. We’ve pulled together recommendations for top-rated stain removers in our Guide to Healthy Cleaning or those that have earned the EWG Verified® mark, ensuring they meet our strict standards for your health.

EWG Verified stain removers

These are a few of the products that can handle even the toughest stains without ingredients on our list of unacceptable chemicals.

• Root and Splendor Foaming Pre-Spotter. This laundry option is a standout choice for tackling tough stains. 
• AspenClean Oxygen Bleach Stain Remover Zero Plastic. Not only does this laundry booster remove stubborn stains, it’s also free of plastic packaging.
• Branch Basics Oxygen Boost.You can use this oxygen booster to tackle multiple cleaning projects. It works on stains and laundry – and can even be used on carpet and bathroom tile and grout.

Highly rated stain removers

• Dapple Baby Stain Remover, Fragrance-Free.Use this cleaner to pretreat clothing. It’s formulated especially to handle baby stains like food and spit-up.
• Branch Basics Concentrate, Fragrance-Free. This all-purpose product is a versatile cleaner that can be diluted for use in various cleaning tasks, including stain removal.
• Attitude Nature + Little Ones Laundry Stain Remover, Unscented. Especially intended for clothing worn by people with delicate skin, this clothing stain remover is perfect for families with young children. 

In addition to the options listed above, our Guide to Healthy Cleaning includes ratings for even more stain removers. You can also check out our complete list of EWG Verified cleaners.

When you choose a stain remover, consider the ingredients and their potential impact on your health and the planet. Buying highly rated or EWG Verified products not only reduces your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals but also supports companies committed to avoiding harmful ingredients.

Concerning legislation

To identify and choose safer cleaning products, shoppers need access to information about their ingredients. But a troubling bill now being considered in Congress threatens to strip consumers of their right to know what’s in their cleaners. 

H.R. 5978, dubbed the DARK Act by advocates of ingredient transparency, would block state laws that increase ingredient transparency. It would also establish a convoluted regulatory process likely to weaken chemical disclosure standards. If enacted, the DARK Act would unquestionably lead to fewer disclosures of chemical ingredients, with the result being consumers who are much less informed about what’s in their products.

We urge you to contact your member of Congress and ask them to defend your right to know by opposing H.R. 5978.

Areas of Focus Household & Consumer Products Cleaning Supplies Disqus Comments Authors Iris Myers July 22, 2024

Mastering sunscreen plus makeup so you’re protected from harmful UV rays rcoleman July 16, 2024

In today’s beauty world, multi-step skincare routines are all the rage. From serums and moisturizers to primers and foundations, the perfect glow involves carefully layering products. 

But one key step is often skipped or overlooked: sunscreen.

Despite its critical role in protecting skin from damage, only 17 percent of U.S. adults incorporate sunscreen into their daily routines. This leaves the vast majority at risk for sun exposure problems such as premature aging and skin cancer.

With new SPF products such as powders, mists and drops hitting store shelves, it’s important to learn how to blend sunscreen and makeup together seamlessly.

Why isn’t SPF in makeup enough?

A common misconception is that using makeup products containing SPF eliminates the need for a separate sunscreen or SPF moisturizer. While products with SPF do offer some protection, alone they may not protect you enough against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet, or UV, rays. Here’s why:

• Quantity matters. To achieve the SPF protection labeled on your makeup products, you need to use a significant amount. Most people don’t apply enough makeup to reach the necessary level of sun protection. 
• Uneven coverage. Some makeup products with SPF, such as foundation, may not be applied consistently on the face. Product instructions often advise starting applying foundation in the middle of your face and blending outward, but this may leave some skin underprotected.
• Reapplication. For all-day protection, you must reapply your sunscreen, especially when you’re outdoors. You’re probably not going to want to reapply foundation or powder so often – it would quickly disrupt your polished look. 

Integrating sunscreen into your routine 

Start your day with a broad-spectrum sunscreen or a moisturizer with SPF as the basis of your sun protection routine. 

Even if your makeup products contain SPF, consider them bonus protection, instead of the main source. 

Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours for proper protection. Whenever you touch up your makeup throughout the day, it’s also a great opportunity to reapply your sunscreen. Consider using a sunscreen stick instead of liquid sunscreen to minimize smearing your makeup.

What to look for in a sunscreen

When it comes to sun protection, not all sunscreens are created equal. Look for products that guard against UV damage and are free from chemicals of concern.

EWG’s 2024 Guide to Sunscreens revealed a concerning trend: Only one-quarter of nearly 1,700 SPF products sold in the U.S. meet EWG’s standards for providing balanced UVA and UVB protection while avoiding the use of concerning ingredients. 

Sunscreens that offer broad spectrum protection, such as the ones that do well in our evaluation, help safeguard from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Avoid concerning ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can behave like endocrine disruptors.

And to reduce inhalation risk and provide a more even coating on your skin, choose sunscreen in lotion or stick form instead of spray. 

Look for sunscreens with the EWG Verified® mark, which means they have been reviewed by EWG’s scientists and meet our rigorous standards for health and transparency. For sunscreens, it means they must meet a higher standard for broad spectrum protection.

EWG’s Skin Deep® database can also help, as it scores sunscreens and tens of thousands of other personal care products based on their hazards and ingredient data availability.

Sunscreens without harmful ingredients should be accessible to everyday consumers. The Food and Drug Administration should finalize its proposed sunscreen order, which would take an important step toward making sure all products on the market are safe for everyday use.

Overall sun protection

When it comes to sun safety, sunscreen should be used with other protective steps.

Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses when you’re outside. When the sun is at its peak, find shade under a tree or make your own with an umbrella. And remember to protect the often-overlooked exposed skin, such as your lips and the tops of your feet.

By making these steps part of your daily routine, you’ll enjoy glowing, protected skin – and be able to step out into the sun with confidence. 

Areas of Focus Personal Care Products Cosmetics Sunscreen Family Health Toxic Chemicals Disqus Comments Authors Hong Lin July 23, 2024

Multiple metals detected in tampons, new study finds rcoleman July 12, 2024

Sixteen potentially harmful metals can be found in tampons sold by over a dozen unique brands, a new study finds, highlighting concerns about exposure for people who use them.

The levels of the metals found in the 30 different tampons sampled were low. But 12 of the 16 metals identified were detected in all of the tampons. The study, by researchers with Columbia University, the University of California Berkeley and Michigan State University, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Environment International.

Absorbing metals in our bodies

It’s possible the metals in tampons can be absorbed through contact, since the skin of and around the vagina is more sensitive than other parts of the body. A separate peer-reviewed paper noted that tampons can cause tiny tears in the vagina, which may allow chemicals to enter the body. 

The study’s 30 tampons included those made from cotton, rayon or a mix of cotton, rayon and viscose. There’s limited data on this risk, but one 2019 study published in Environmental Health observed that concentrations of blood mercury were higher among tampon users. This suggests metals may enter the body as a result of tampon use. 

The cotton used to make tampons commonly contains heavy metals from the soil in which it was grown. Authors of the Environmental International study also say some metals are added intentionally for odor control, lubrication or color or as preservatives, citing several tampon patents that mention the addition of metals in their design. 

EDC exposure in tampons

Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and mercury are also endocrine disruptors, or EDCs. Exposure to these chemicals is linked to a suite of health problems, including adverse reproductive effects and cardiometabolic consequences.

Metals are not the only EDCs detected in tampons and other menstrual products: Studies have also reported levels of the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, in addition to phthalates and parabens. 

Adolescents are starting to menstruate earlier and earlier, and EDC exposure during this time may be more harmful than later in life. 

Despite the low levels of metals found in tampons, stricter regulation is necessary, given the mixture of chemicals found in the products and concerns about their impact – especially during critical periods of development like adolescence. 

How tampons are regulated

Tampons are regulated as medical devices in the U.S., so manufacturers don’t have to disclose their chemical ingredients. Labeling requirements for tampons include warnings about toxic shock syndrome and absorbency information, but not ingredients.

Tampons from vending machines are exempt from any federal labeling requirements.

The Food and Drug Administration advises tampon companies to avoid use of pesticides and certain dioxins. But it hasn’t explicitly banned harmful chemicals for use in tampons. 

Nor does the FDA require ingredients used in menstrual products like tampons to meet any kind of safety standard. 

That’s why it can be difficult to know which products are safer. The FDA should pursue new rules to keep harmful chemicals out of menstrual products, require ingredient disclosure and set safety standards for ingredients.

And although the metal levels detected in the new study were low, the findings suggest a potential need to also revisit safety standards for metals in tampon material

What you can do 

Until there are adequate tampon labeling requirements, consumers’ best option is to contact brands directly to ask what ingredients they use. It’s also important to support calls for new federal and state regulations to improve the safety of menstrual products.

Areas of Focus Personal Care Products Family Health Reproductive Health Toxic Chemicals Disqus Comments Authors Alexa Friedman, Ph.D. Guest Authors Ariel Hekier, (EWG) July 12, 2024

Protecting ‘Sephora kids’: How to keep tweens safe from harmful skin care and cosmetic ingredients rcoleman July 12, 2024

• Children’s growing interest in skin care highlights the need for education about the harmful effects of products designed for older skin, which can cause redness, burning and allergic reactions.
• Summer camps are advising young girls to leave their skin care products at home.

• Resources like EWG Verified® and the Skin Deep® database provide safe alternatives, helping parents and caregivers.

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Earlier this year, the “Sephora kids” trend set TikTok ablaze. Now even summer camps are asking skin-care-obsessed tweens to leave their serums, cleansers and body sprays at home.

EWG’s 2023 survey of personal care product use found the same thing – young people are avid users of skin care and cosmetics. Thirty-eight percent of Gen Z uses a skin care product daily and 23 percent weekly. They love makeup, too – 59 percent use cosmetics products at least monthly, 23 percent as often as every day.

As this trend went viral, dermatologists began raising alarms about the potential risk to young, delicate skin. 

Many of these young shoppers go to Sephora, Ulta Beauty and other cosmetic stores for sought-after brands like Glow Recipe and Drunk Elephant.  

But these products are not designed for young people, as many of the ingredients can be harmful to children. With the growing interest in skin care, it’s more important than ever to help kids in early adolescence understand how to use products safely and especially how to steer clear of harsh ingredients.

Ingredients in anti-aging products

Many popular products are intended for older skin in particular and used for anti-aging purposes. Products marketed as anti-aging, wrinkle-reducing or brightening often contain ingredients damaging to young skin and its barrier. Tweens’ use probably does more harm than good. 

Retinol, peptides, vitamin C and exfoliating acids are four of the concerning chemicals that can cause a range of health issues. 

Retinol helps increase the production of collagen and elastin, which can reduce fine lines and enlarged pores. It may redden, irritate and dry out tween skin. According to a search of Skin Deep, our free searchable database of personal care products, one in five anti-aging products contains retinol. 

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant used to reduce the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles and acne. It can cause itchiness and burning. It is found in about 70 percent of facial moisturizers and about 2 percent of all personal care products.

Exfoliating acids, including alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids, smooth skin texture and unclog pores but they can lead to dryness, irritation and redness. About one in five exfoliant products and about one in 100 personal care products contains salicylic acid, a common type of these acids.  

And though these ingredients may support the health of adult skin, they’re often too harsh for young, sensitive skin. 

Healthier alternatives for kids

You have options when it comes to protecting your children from harsh skin care ingredients. 

EWG’s Skin Deep database can help you discover safe products for tween skin. It highlights and evaluates popular products based on their ingredients. 

You can use it to find tween-friendly skin care and cosmetics free from potentially harmful ingredients that are safe for young people.

You can also look for EWG Verified cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens to help build a simple skin care routine for your tween. 

EWG Verified products have been reviewed by our scientists and have met our rigorous standards for health and transparency. Although some EWG Verified products do contain anti-aging ingredients, others are formulated with kids and tweens in mind.

And some makeup for young people bears the EWG Verified mark, too. 

Jovy is an EWG Verified kids play cosmetics brand. The company’s stated priority is to create effective formulas that keep children safe. Their products, including Berry Bliss Play Makeup Kit, allow kids to enjoy a variety of cosmetic products without the risk of harsh or toxic ingredients. 

Jovy also offers makeup stencils and a makeup set. 

Gryt is another personal care brand with products designed for children 8 and up. Their Face Courage Daily Cleanser, for tweens and teens, is EWG Verified. 

Jovy Berry Bliss Play Makeup Kit, Lip Gloss, Sparkle Berry Click here Jovy Berry Bliss Play Makeup Kit, Eyeshadow & Blush, Berry Sky Click here Jovy Berry Bliss Play Makeup Kit, Eyeshadow & Blush, Berry Lilac Click here Jovy Berry Bliss Play Makeup Kit, Eyeshadow & Blush, Berry Rose Click here Jovy Berry Bliss Play Makeup Kit Click here Gryt Face Courage Daily Cleanser Click here Regulating cosmetics

Some U.S. lawmakers believe the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates cosmetics and skin care products, doesn’t do enough to protect young people. 

As a result, advocates have tried to limit kids’ ability to buy these products. For example, California Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-Milpitas) introduced Assembly Bill 2491, which would have banned the purchase of certain anti-aging skin care products for children under 13. The legislation failed to move forward in the state Assembly. 

More ways to help tweens stay safe

• Immediately stop using any products that cause redness, irritation, itching or a burning sensation. 
• Consult EWG's Top 5 Tips for Choosing Safer Cosmetics for Kids to learn how to avoid harsh ingredients and find better products for children and tweens. 
• Start with basic, simple and gentle products formulated for young skin. As a rule of thumb, look for those made with 10 ingredients or fewer.
• Consult with your health care provider, dermatologist or skin care professional for personalized recommendations, especially if the child or teen has sensitive skin.
• Reach out to brands you’re interested in and ask which products are suited for children and teens, and what tests they have conducted.
• Find out about skin care ingredients and their potential effects on young skin, especially those linked to reproduction and endocrine disruption or that may otherwise interfere with the normal development of children and teens.   

Areas of Focus Personal Care Products Cosmetics Family Health Children’s Health Disqus Comments Guest Authors Meghan Durkin, Stanback Fellow for EWG communications July 15, 2024

When is a farm bill not a farm bill? When it’s loaded with troubling provisions JR Culpepper July 12, 2024

A farm bill debate in Congress might conjure up visions of rustic barns and amber waves of grain. So it may surprise you to learn that this legislation could expose kids to pesticides, cut funding for hungry Americans and worsen the climate crisis.

Some parts of the farm bill do address agriculture directly, including billions of dollars in bloated farm subsidies funded by taxpayers that go to a handful of farmers – even when total farm incomes reach new heights.

But the bill covers much more than crops and cattle. And if House Republicans get their way, the health and safety of millions of people could be on the line.

Blocking pesticide safeguards 

The bill would make it much easier for Big Ag to spray potentially harmful chemicals on fields close to schools and near neighborhoods where people work and live.

Some of these chemicals have been linked to serious health concerns, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease and harm to development and reproduction. Children are especially susceptible to potential health problems. Yet the House farm bill would block efforts by states and towns to prevent pesticides from being sprayed near schools throughout the U.S.

Pesticide manufacturers favor blocking states and local governments from requiring additional warnings and use restrictions on their products. The bill would also help minimize the companies’ liability for related health problems and protect their bottom line. 

Funding fight

The House farm bill is also bad news for the 41 million Americans living on a low income who rely on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to put food on the table. It would cut $30 billion in anti-hunger funds from SNAP, the Department of Agriculture program that leads U.S. anti-hunger efforts and is funded in the farm bill.

Where would that money go instead? It would be used for skyrocketing subsidies for a handful of large peanut, rice and cotton farmers, primarily in Southern states. 

Farm subsidies have long been out of control, with billions going to the largest farms, which don’t need the help. Between 2021 and 2023, farmers collected more than $55 billion in taxpayer-funded farm subsidies, even as national net farm income was higher on average than any time in the past 20 years.

Increasing these subsidies will drive up the costs of renting and buying land, further tilting the playing field against Black, young and small family farmers when many small farms already struggle, and many have been pushed out of business.  

Climate catastrophe

Not content with exposing kids to pesticides and letting people go hungry, the House farm bill would also move money away from actions that reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. The sector already makes up about 10 percent of U.S. emissions and is set to rise.

To fight the climate crisis, agriculture’s emissions must be reined in. But the bill would scrap guardrails designed to ensure that a significant amount of USDA funding goes to climate-smart practices that reduce emissions and build soil carbon.

Practices such as cover crops also benefit water and air quality. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act included over $19 billion in additional funds for farmers to use to implement farming practices that help the climate through steps that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Farmers and ranchers want to use these kinds of climate-smart practices. But more than half the applicants for this conservation funding have previously been turned down because of high demand. 

If Congress removes the climate focus of the remaining $19 billion, the USDA will likely revert to its previous ways, when less than one-quarter of conservation funding flowed to practices that reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The increase in emissions could be massive. 

A farm bill for the few

Instead of obstructing state and local government efforts to protect people from the harmful effects of pesticides, the House should remove itself from the picture.

Instead of forking over more taxpayer dollars for farm subsidy programs, the House should reform them to save taxpayers money and develop more equitable federal farm policy.  

Instead of shifting funding away from programs that can reduce agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions, the House should encourage innovations that tackle the climate crisis.

If you’re a pesticide company, a Big Ag business or just a consumer satisfied with where your family’s next meal is coming from, the House farm bill may seem a winner.

For everyone else – children, taxpayers, small farmers, farmers from underrepresented groups, and people experiencing food insecurity – it’s a clear loser.

 

Areas of Focus Farming & Agriculture Climate & Agriculture Farm Subsidies Disqus Comments Authors Anthony Lacey July 17, 2024

EWG: In California, source of much U.S. produce, almost 1,000 factory farms are near crop fields and their irrigation sources rcoleman July 10, 2024

WASHINGTON – Almost all of California’s factory farms are very close to water sources that are used to irrigate crops, creating the risk of foodborne illnesses, a new Environmental Working Group investigation finds.

Dangerous bacteria commonly found in animal manure, like E. coli and salmonella, can wash or drift with dust into these waterways, which are often used to irrigate food crops such as leafy greens. When people eat produce tainted with such pathogens, they can become very sick or even die.

“California grows many of the fruits and vegetables consumed across the country,” said EWG Senior GIS Analyst Ethan Bahe, author of the investigation. “So when the state’s produce is contaminated with pathogens, just about everyone is at risk for serious or even life-threatening foodborne illness as a result.”

EWG experts used data from the California Environmental Protection Agency’s State Water Resources Control Board to geolocate 1,062 of the state’s concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, which house nearly 77 million animals. 

Of those, 986 – almost 93 percent – were within 1 mile of canals often used to water crops. And 449 – 42 percent – were within a quarter of a mile of such waterways.

Most California CAFOs produce cattle, with 911 housing 3 million cows. Many of the other CAFOs contain poultry, with 150 facilities housing 73.8 million chickens, ducks and turkeys.

The presence of open manure storage tanks and feedlots close to an irrigation canal – sometimes only feet away – makes it easy for bacteria and other pathogens to wash or blow off feedlots and other CAFOs and end up on produce.

Research shows that pollutants from animal feeding operations can cause respiratory damage in residents up to 4 miles away. So it’s probable that bacteria in manure on cattle feedlots can drift on air currents into fields or waterways up to that distance.

The closer a CAFO is to a body of water, the higher the risk for contamination. In the Central and Imperial Valleys, high concentrations of operations in small areas of land compound the threat. 

EWG also identified 2.6 million acres of crop fields in California that are within 3 miles of at least one CAFO – 1.56 million of which are planted with fruits or vegetables. 

In 2022, over 251,000 acres in California were planted with leafy greens or melons, two crops that have recently been the source of bacterial foodborne illness outbreaks. Of these, 5.2 percent of those fields, or more than 24,000 acres, are within 3 miles of a CAFO. 

EWG looked only at facilities large enough to be considered CAFOs by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Not included in the analysis are 812 smaller facilities in the Golden State housing an additional 7.5 million animals.

“By mapping the state’s animal operations and their proximity to waterways, we hoped to spotlight the need for stricter regulations,” Bahe said. “But our analysis also shows how, without stronger oversight, food safety in this country is alarmingly precarious.”

EWG proposes that the Food and Drug Administration require farmers who use potentially contaminated irrigation water on their produce to regularly test for these contaminants. 

And EWG says the EPA should more rigorously oversee the large amount of manure produced by CAFOs.

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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action. Visit www.ewg.org for more information.

Areas of Focus Farming & Agriculture Climate & Agriculture Factory Farms Regional Issues California Pathogens in livestock animal manure put consumers at risk of dangerous foodborne illness Disqus Comments Press Contact Sarah Graddy sarah@ewg.org (202) 939-9141 July 24, 2024

Prime day: Eco-friendly and nontoxic deals JR Culpepper July 10, 2024

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Escaping plastic and chemicals can seem impossible – the world is producing more single-use plastic than ever at 139 million tons, according to some reports. And an estimated 97 percent of Americans have the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their blood.

But cutting down on your exposure to plastic waste and chemicals is achievable. Even small steps like switching to more sustainable products can make your world a little cleaner. And this Amazon Prime Day, EWG is here to help. With discounts on millions of products, it can be overwhelming. We’ve assembled a list of some of our favorite non-toxic and reusable products to help you take advantage of this summer’s deals. 

Toxic-free kitchen

First up: the kitchen, starting with your cutting boards. They could be releasing microplastic particles each time they’re used, research shows. A better option is a bamboo cutting board, which some studies suggest can have  antimicrobial properties.

Greener Chef Organic Bamboo Cutting Board Set

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

Prime Day is also a great opportunity to save a few bucks on a high-quality home water filter, which can help prevent microplastics and other contaminants from entering the body. 

EWG’s scientists tested portable water filters to find out which best filtered PFAS from drinking water. Below are the products on Amazon that scored the highest. You can also check out our water filter guide to find the best option for your home. 

ZeroWater 7-Cup 5-Stage Water Filter Pitcher

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Epic Water Filters Pure Filter

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Travel Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter

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While we’re talking about water, there are plenty of reasons to get a steel water bottle. They’re more durable, they insulate better, and they don’t leach harmful chemicals or microplastics if they’re exposed to the sun or heat. 

Klean Kanteen Classic Brushed Stainless

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Lunch containers

On Amazon you can find some great reusable food storage containers made without harmful chemicals. These from Klean Kanteen and Stasher are perfect for lunch-ins. We also love the reusable Food Huggers containers that keep fruits and vegetables fresh.

Klean Kanteen Lunch Food Box

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Food Huggers 5pc Reusable Silicone Food Savers

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Stasher Reusable Silicone Storage Bag

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For camping and hiking trips, check out these stainless steel cups and cute collapsible cups for kids. There are also bamboo utensils that are both lightweight and durable, complete with a carabiner clip so you can attach the set to your backpack or bag – perfect for campfire dinners. 

Klean Kanteen Single Wall Stainless Steel Cups, Pint Glasses

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Stojo Jr Collapsible Travel Cup with Straw for Kids

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Premium Reusable Bamboo Utensil Travel Set

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Laundry 

Today is also a great time for a steal on Woolzies, a non-toxic brand of wool dryer balls. They last much longer than the alternative, and leave your clothes feeling soft and free of static.

Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls Organic

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

Personal care products

For some, this could be a great opportunity to save on skin care and cosmetics. Here are some Prime Day sale deals for cosmetics that have the EWG Verified® mark, which identifies products that are free from chemicals of concern and meet our strictest standards for your health.

Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF30 - Natural Zinc Oxide - Shea Butter

BLDG Active Skin Repair EWG Certified Hyaluronic Acid Face and Body Hydrating Serum for All Skin Types

CURECODE Double Barrier Cream (80 ml) Korean Skin-Biome Science with Neuromide

DIME Beauty Perfume 7 Summers, Sweet Floral Scent

Inna Organic FRANKINCENSE REVITALIZING FACE & EYE CREAM

JackFir Evergreen Eye Cream, Natural Eye Cream for MenThe Evergreen Eye Cream, Natural Eye Cream for Men

KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask, Multi-Use Facial Scrub

Lady Polpo Conscious Cleanser

LEORA Glow Revitalizing Serum Essence

make p:rem Safe me. Relief moisture cream 12

Mustela Stelatopia+ - Lipid-Replenishing Cream Moisturizer

NENA All-Natural Mineral Toner for Face

Ouli's Ointment All Purpose Beauty Balm

Oyu Booster Serum

Pampered Guest Bergamot Collection Body Creme 250mL

QET Botanicals Supple Eye Makeup Remover

Sonage Gommage Exfoliating Gel | Gentle Face Scrub For All Skin Types | Non-Abrasive Dead Skin Cell Exfoliation

STREAM 2 SEA SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Biodegradable and Reef Safe Sunscreen

TALENT Men’s Skin Balancing Moisturizer

Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50 Clear Zinc Oxide Sunscreen

Three Ships Dream Bio-Retinol + Shorea Butter Night Cream – Vegan Night Moisturizer Face Cream Hydrates & Repairs Skin

Varuza K-Beauty Real Natural Sheet Mask with Blue Ampoule with Unbleached & Non-fluorescent sheet

Well People Bio Stick Foundation, Creamy, Multi-use, Hydrating Foundation For Glowing Skin

Wild & Pure EWG Verified All Natural, Plant-Based EcoBalance Cleanser

Yoken Jojoba Oil

Vika's Essentials Certified Organic Makeup Remover

These are only a few of many great non-toxic options you may want to explore on Prime Day. You can find more by visiting our Amazon storefront.

 

Areas of Focus Personal Care Products Cosmetics Household & Consumer Products Disqus Comments Authors JR Culpepper July 16, 2024

Most California factory farms, close to irrigation canals, threaten U.S. food safety rcoleman July 10, 2024 Ethan Bahe July 24, 2024

Almost all of the more than 1,000 large animal feeding operations in California are very close to water sources that are used to irrigate crops, threatening the food supply for the entire country, a new EWG analysis finds.

Contaminants commonly found in animal manure, like E. coli and salmonella, can enter these bodies of water, and the water may then be sprayed on food crops such as leafy greens, potentially creating foodborne illness outbreaks.

What happens on farm fields in the state can affect people across the U.S., since farmers in California grow more than one-third of the nation’s vegetables and three-fourths of fruits. 

To protect public health, the Food and Drug Administration must require farmers who use potentially contaminated irrigation water on their produce to test for these contaminants. 

The Environmental Protection Agency must also more rigorously oversee the large amount of manure produced by concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.

Almost all of California’s CAFOs close to irrigation canals

EWG experts used state data to geolocate 1,062 CAFOs in California. Of those, almost 93 percent were within 1 mile and 42 percent were within a quarter of a mile of waterways often used for irrigation.

Concentrated animal feeding operations house many of the animals raised for meat, eggs and dairy products. In these facilities, hundreds or thousands of cattle, swine, chickens, turkeys and other animals are confined in large buildings or, in the case of cattle, in open feedlots. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. An image of a cattle feedlot in California’s Central Valley. 

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According to EWG’s analysis of data from the California EPA’s State Water Resources Control Board website, the 1,062 CAFOs house 76.8 million animals. (See Figure 2.) 

Only the largest animal feeding operations are considered CAFOs and require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from the federal EPA. To be designated a CAFO, an animal facility must have 1,000 or more “animal units,” a generic term that tries to equate animal numbers across different animal types. According to this formula, 1,000 animal units in a facility equals 1,000 cows or 2,500 hogs or 30,000 broiler chickens. 

EWG only looked at facilities that are large enough to be considered CAFOs by the EPA.

In California, 812 smaller facilities house 7.5 million animals.

Figure 2. A map of all California CAFO locations. 

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Source: EWG, from California EPA’s State Water Resources Control Board.

Most California CAFOs produce cattle, with 911 cattle operations housing three million cows. Many of the other CAFOs are poultry, with 150 facilities housing 73.8 million chickens, ducks and turkeys.

Of all 1,062 CAFOs, 986, or 93 percent, are located within 1 mile of a canal. Of the 911 cattle operations, 847 are within 1 mile of a canal. (See Figure 3.)

Figure 3. Number of California’s CAFOs and animals by animal type, and percent within 1 mile of a canal.

CAFO typeTotal facilitiesAnimal countFacilities within 1 mile of canalPercent of CAFOs within 
1 mile of a canalCattle9113,000,82984793Poultry15073,816,57013892Other154,0001100All1,06276,871,39998693

Source: EWG, from California EPA’s State Water Resources Control Board. 

The closer a CAFO is to a body of water, the higher the risk for contamination. The presence of open manure storage tanks and feedlots close to an irrigation canal – sometimes only feet away – makes it easy for bacteria and other contaminants to end up in water sprayed on food crops.

Many of California’s animal facilities are much closer than 1 mile to an irrigation canal. Of the 1,062 CAFOs, 42 percent, or 449 facilities, are within a quarter of a mile of a waterway.

Figure 4 shows two animal operations on opposite banks of an irrigation canal (shown in blue). Together these facilities house over 1,500 dairy cows. Facility 1 has cattle feedlots just 35 feet from the irrigation canal, and at Facility 2, open lagoons hold thousands of gallons of manure about 50 feet away from the canal. 

Figure 4. Two animal facilities next to irrigation canals in the Central Valley, with facilities outlined in orange and irrigation canals indicated by blue.

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Source: EWG, from ESRI imagery – Maxxar, Microsoft.

The hazard posed to irrigation canals by animal manure is compounded in the Central and Imperial valleys due to the high concentration of operations in small areas of land. 

For example, in an expanded view of the same facilities (see Figure 5), it is easy to see far more than two facilities close to the canal system. 

In Figure 5, the facilities from the previous image are highlighted by a yellow box on the left side. It also shows another 16 facilities highlighted in orange. Of those facilities, seven are located within 50 feet of a canal.

Figure 5. Zoomed out view of above image, with CAFOs outlined in orange and irrigation canals indicated in blue.

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 Source: EWG, from ESRI imagery – Maxxar, Microsoft. 

Many acres of food crops grown near CAFOs

Manure-contaminated leafy greens are a well-known source of foodborne illness. For example, one large CAFO near thousands of acres of leafy greens fields in Arizona’s Yuma County likely contributed to a recent E. coli outbreak. 

In California, thousands of CAFOs are located near farm fields – especially in the Central and Imperial valleys – many of which are planted with fruits and vegetables. Research shows that pollutants from animal feeding operations can cause respiratory damage in residents up to four miles away.

We found that 2.6 million acres of crop fields in California are within 3 miles of at least one CAFO, and 1.56 million of these acres are planted with fruits or vegetables. 

In 2022, over 251,000 acres in California were planted with leafy greens or melons, two crops that have recently been the source of bacterial foodborne illness outbreaks. Only 5.2 percent of those fields are within 3 miles of a CAFO, but that still corresponds to over 24,000 acres. (See Figure 6.)

Figure 6. Map of the Imperial Valley showing CAFOs, irrigation canals, and fields of leafy greens and melons.

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Source: EWG, from Land IQ, Land Use Mapping.

When we zoomed in to fields within a quarter mile of a CAFO – which are at a higher risk for fecal bacteria contamination – our analysis found 1.8 million acres of crop fields and 54,000 acres that grow fruits and vegetables. 

How manure contaminants spread to crops

The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believe there are two likely pathways through which bacteria contaminate crops. One is when dust from feedlots drifts onto fields. The other, the focus of this analysis, is when bacteria washes or drifts into irrigation water that is then sprayed on farm fields. (See Figure 7.) 

Figure 7. Image of cattle in a feedlot and the dust they stir up. 

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Without knowing whether the water is contaminated, farmers who cultivate land near CAFOs use the canal water to irrigate their crops. Once harvested, the contaminated crops may get shipped and consumed almost anywhere in the U.S. – and even beyond.

E. coli is a bacteria that can be found in human and animal waste and is often linked to food outbreaks. While there are many strains of E. coli that are not harmful to humans when ingested, some can cause severe gastrointestinal issues or even death when consumed. 

Cooking food can kill pathogens, but fruits and vegetables are often consumed raw, making the bacteria on these crops particularly dangerous.

Outbreaks of bacteria on food are occurring more often. In late 2023, a widespread outbreak of salmonella on cantaloupe sickened over 400 people and killed six. 

And E. coli outbreaks on vegetables such as lettuce have occurred many times in recent decades. In 2018, five people died and hundreds were sickened when they consumed lettuce contaminated with E. coli.

Much of the U.S. food supply is grown in California, so crops contaminated with bacteria from the state’s CAFOs can – and do – cause foodborne illness in people across the country.

The risks of inadequate regulation

To protect consumers from bacterial outbreaks on food, the FDA should require testing of irrigation water before it is sprayed on produce. 

After a number of E. coli outbreaks from consumption of leafy greens, Congress directed the FDA in 2011 to develop standards for irrigation water sprayed on crops. In 2015, the FDA first issued a rule requiring enforceable periodic testing for contaminated irrigation water. 

A revised rule, proposed in 2022, abandoned the requirement to test irrigation water, allowing farms instead to voluntarily decide if they want to include tests in their “water assessments.” 

The FDA finalized this rule in May 2024. It requires farmers to conduct water testing to assess risks to their water source, including animal manure. 

But corrective actions are only required if the grower identifies risks. 

In other words, the FDA relies on farmers to regulate themselves.

Other agencies can tackle the CAFO water contamination problem. The EPA could more rigorously monitor the CAFOs’ manure production and management.

By Annabel Kennedy. [This article was originally published on WECF’S website.]

Between 2021-2025, WECF, together with our close strategic partner the Global Forest Coalition (GFC) and international network partners, are engaged as the gender technical partners (GTPs) of the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) ‘Forests for a Just Future’ programme. The GLA seeks to ensure that tropical forests and forest landscapes are sustainably and inclusively governed to mitigate and adapt to climate change, fulfil human rights and safeguard local livelihoods. Our specific role is to support the alliance in pursuing gender transformative change, and ensure that gender, intersectionality and inclusion are mainstreamed at all levels of the programme. 

With the GLA operating in eleven tropical forest countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, plus internationally, we work with our network partners in each country to effectively fulfil our role as gender advisors. As our partners are rooted in their communities, and have the best knowledge and understanding of gender issues in their countries and contexts, they are best placed to guide the GLA implementing partners.

Following the programme mid-term review (MTR), which gave us valuable insights into progress to date and areas with room for further improvement, we felt it was long overdue to gather together to strengthen our relationships, exchange and learn from each other, and design actions supporting gender-transformative change in the GLA. We decided to arrange an exchange and capacity workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, parallel to the fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body of Implementation (SBI 4) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Over three weeks, the Parties to the CBD met in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss scientific, technical and implementation issues. We joined the final week of meetings on implementation, covering topics such as progress review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; resource mobilisation (finance); and capacity development. By joining the negotiations, we and our partners increased our knowledge on the various items of the global biodiversity framework, and gained insights into how each of our countries engages with international biodiversity policy-making.

Informal Dialogue on a new Programme of Work on Art.8(J) and other provisions related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

We also increased our knowledge through side events covering topics such as gender responsiveness in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and civil society concerns about biodiversity offsets and credits. Our participation in the CBD meetings was complemented by engaging closely with other civil society actors, most notably with the CBD Women’s Caucus. The closing statement of the CBD Women’s Caucus can be read here.

Partners’ reflections on participating in the CBD negotiations

“It was a great opportunity to understand the procedures of reviewing the implementation of the biodiversity framework in advance of the next COP… I learned how Parties negotiate to reach consensus on the targets” 

“This was a golden opportunity… we got to know our delegates and today we are continuing our contact with them in order to define how we are going to collaborate”

“It was very useful to understand how the negotiation spaces that later have consequences in my country’s public policy work”

Following the CBD, we spent two days (30-31 May) in workshops exclusively with our network partners, with the intention to:

• build a strong sense of community and solidarity
• share our experiences, knowledge and useful tools/methodologies
• learn about each other’s work, identify and address needs
• strengthen our capacities on issues like communication and reporting.

Though much of our workshop was in the format of presentations, we also took care to nourish ourselves with creativity and connection. We started the first day by building a ‘spider web’ of small items which meaningfully symbolised our work, plus we spent time on the second day creating collages to express resistance against multiple forms of oppression and our visions of alternative worlds.

 

One of the collages representing visions for alternative, just futures

Each of our partners presented their work, with a focus on their experiences of providing gender support and advice to the GLA partners, plus the opportunities and challenges relating to gender and forests/biodiversity in their countries. Our partners all agreed that work on environmental and climate action must be done holistically to address the interconnected needs and challenges faced by frontline communities.

Our colleagues from DR Congo and Colombia shared their experiences working in conflict-affected areas, and how they have adapted their work to respectively support displaced populations, and address increased land insecurity as a result of armed violence. The reality of sexual and gender-based violence, which is present in all societies but often magnified in conflict areas, presents a serious barrier to women’s meaningful social and political participation.

In Bolivia, feminists face strong patriarchal systems alongside ruptures in the social fabric caused by the influence of powerful extractive industries. Building trust amongst civil society actors has been crucial to connecting movements and jointly developing understandings of gender, feminism and colonial systems.

 

Kiyomi discussing the situation relating to human rights in Bolivia

We learned about the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) methodology being implemented in Uganda, which is a participatory and community-led method supporting people to develop visions for their own futures. Engaging with men and boys to be male agents of change is another complementary approach.

Our Liberian partner shared the challenges and successes of working with the GLA partners to develop gender policies at organisational level, such as parental leave, prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harrassment, and naming of gender focal persons. The last is a useful strategy to make sure that gender is mainstreamed at both organisational and programming level.

In Ghana, the trust built over time has resulted in partners regularly contacting our partner to conduct gender training sessions and workshops about diverse topics, including intersectionality and how to develop gender-responsive indicators. In the remaining phase of programme implementation, they plan to conduct a female leadership training for community forest monitors.

 

Alain explaining his work in DR Congo in the context of displacement and severe armed violence

Finally, the WECF and GFC team gave various presentations seeking to respond to needs identified by our partners, such as strategic and inclusive communications; supporting partners to develop Organisational Gender Action Plans (OGAPs); strengthening capacity to use the Outcome Harvesting monitoring method; exchanging on concepts like intersectionality, gender transformative change, and gender justice.

Partners’ reflections on the exchange and capacity strengthening workshops 

“I felt emotional support – I understood that all the technical partners have similar challenges, there were lessons learned, sharing of good practices and tools in relation to our work as a gender technical partner”

“We got an opportunity to share experiences in a safe space and it was participatory”

“The meeting for the GLA partners was the biggest highlight for me… we [could] connect and learn about each other’s work” 

“Interesting, a lot of learning. It was a very nourishing experience”

Attending both the CBD SBI-4 negotiations and our joint workshop was experienced by all participants as extremely valuable. While virtual meetings allow us to connect to a certain extent, we agreed that meeting in person is quite irreplaceable. Particularly in these times of polycrisis – social, environmental, political and more – it is vitally important that civil society actors worldwide, especially feminist and women’s movements, keep seeking each other out and building strong and connected movements. It is equally important that funders – sometimes more interested in results – respect and resource these moments of connection as an integral part of the work we do.  

Making a ‘spider web’ between the symbols of our work, representing the connections between each of us and the importance of building a strong global movement for justice  

The post Striving for gender justice in forest and biodiversity governance: reflections on our exchange and capacity workshop parallel to the international biodiversity negotiations appeared first on Global Forest Coalition.

We are pleased to share with you a summary of the work done by the Global Forest Coalition in 2023. Our Annual Report describes the key moments and achievements of our campaigns over what was another busy year for GFC and our members.

This Annual Report provides an overview of the main organisational activities and achievements of GFC over 2023, as well as how we continue to navigate global power imbalances and inequities.

GFC made progress towards strengthening membership engagement, capacity, and alliance building through a range of activities across its campaigns and specific membership-targeted activities. GFC also strengthened communications, collaboration, and consultations between coalition members.

Over 2023 we welcomed seven new members to the coalition (AKMENA, Kyrgyzstan; Dana Cooperative, Jordan; Ecolog and Ecomaktab, both from Uzbekistan; Eco-Tiras, Moldova; Foundation to Support Civil Initiatives, Tajikistan and Yanus, Armenia), increasing our overall membership to 131 members across 75 countries.

We remain deeply appreciative of the collective force of our members and are proud of all that we have been able to achieve together as a team, on international, national as well as regional platforms. Together as a coalition, we stand united in the face of continued threats faced by Indigenous Peoples, environmental defenders, and custodians of our forests and Mother Earth, especially women in all their diversities.

We are incredibly grateful to all the individuals, funders, organisations and communities that support our work, and we look forward to persevering together for a gender-just, ecologically secure future for the planet as a whole.

The post GFC’s Annual Report 2023 is out now appeared first on Global Forest Coalition.

We condemn violations of the right to protest and attacks on human rights and water defenders protesting against Carroll Farms in the Libres-Oriental Basin

 

Mexico City, June 24, 2024 — The undersigned organizations express our rejection and reiterate our concern regarding the acts against the right to protest and the attacks on human rights defenders by the security forces of the state of Veracruz, Mexico, which occurred on June 20 in the community of Totalco, municipality of Perote. The events occurred during a protest by several communities in the Libres-Oriental Basin against the activities of the Granjas Caroll pork farm, a subsidiary of Smithfield, part of WH Group.

Local organizations reported that during the protest and peaceful encampment in the defense of water and against the pig farm, state security forces assaulted the protesters, who were defending their right to water and to a healthy environment, causing the death of the peasants Jorge and Alberto Cortina Vázquez. Attacks on dozens of other demonstrators were reported. According to local testimonies, plainclothes police chased demonstrators to their homes and assaulted them. The events took place after several protests by the Movimiento en Defensa del Agua de la Cuenca Libres-Oriental, and after two negotiations with the authorities to address the problem of the pork farm. 

 

It is essential to emphasize that Article 15 of the American Convention on Human Rights and General Comment No. 37 of the United Nations Human Rights Committee stress that the right to peaceful assembly, by definition, cannot be exercised through violence. This principle reflects the international commitment to protect and guarantee the safe and non-violent exercise of this human right. It is alarming and worrisome that recent aggressions against demonstrators have tragically culminated in the death of two peasants, which underscores the urgency of respecting and protecting the exercise of human rights in any context of protest.

Likewise, as mentioned by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), states have a responsibility to avoid discrimination in the exercise of their human rights, states also have a responsibility to avoid discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to peaceful protest, paying special attention to groups that have experienced discrimination or could face difficulties in participating in meetings: 

States must adopt positive measures to guarantee this enjoyment to women; children and adolescents; people of African descent; victims of discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation; migrants and non-nationals; Indigenous peoples; and groups claiming access to economic, social, and cultural rights. 

The socio-environmental conflict between the residents of the Libres-Oriental Basin and the pig factories of Granjas Caroll has been going on for several years, given the multiple environmental and social impacts of this industry, which have been denounced to the authorities. As documented by various organizations and academic studies, the pig farm pollutes water, air, and soil and is associated with various diseases, as well as animal abuse. These impacts violate multiple human and environmental rights including the right to water, food, land and territory, health, and a healthy environment. In addition, Mexico’s Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) has also investigated and documented the environmental contamination associated with this industry. 

Local advocates say the company has engaged in excessive water use and contaminated the water supply with pig waste. According to civil society, in the Libres-Oriental watershed, there are dozens of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) with various warehouses with thousands of pigs, most of them owned by Granjas Carroll, as well as an industrial slaughterhouse. In addition, the organizations have denounced the use of technology (anti-hail cannons) to modify the hydrological water cycle and affect rainfall in the region, causing droughts. 

We remind the Mexican government of its international human rights obligations, such as those under the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Escazú Agreement, which obliges it to provide and guarantee protection for environmental defenders. In this sense, it is important that the Mexican government guarantee a safe and enabling environment for people who promote environmental protection, providing them with recognition and protection, including their right to life, personal integrity, freedom of opinion and expression, right to peaceful assembly and association, and right to freedom of movement, and take appropriate, effective and timely measures to prevent, investigate and punish attacks, threats or intimidation that environmental human rights defenders may suffer. 

Given the above, the undersigned organizations demand: 

• To Cuitlahuac García Jiménez, governor of the State of Veracruz, to refrain from carrying out any act that inhibits the exercise of social protest. We also urge him to guarantee the protesters’ right to protest.  
• To the Secretary of Citizen Security of Veracruz, to carry out an investigation in accordance with human rights standards to establish the administrative responsibilities of the elements of the police who used violence against the demonstrators to repress the protest.  
• To the Human Rights Commission of the State of Veracruz, to initiate the corresponding complaints for the violations and damages caused to the demonstrators who were assaulted. 
• To the Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists to act in accordance with its attributions and apply the appropriate measures to protect the human rights defenders who were attacked during the protest.  
• To the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources to carry out an investigation into the environmental impacts of the company and to take the corresponding measures. 
• To the Veracruz State Attorney General’s Office to conduct an exhaustive, diligent, professional, impartial, independent, and objective investigation into the excessive use of force and the extrajudicial executions at the hands of the police.
• Given the announcement by the government of Veracruz on June 23 regarding the dissolution of the Civil Force, we demand that the measures go further and guarantee truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition of the events, as well as the punishment of those responsible.

Signed by:

• Acción Colectiva Socioambiental, A.C. (Guanajuato)
• Alianza Global por los Derechos de la Naturaleza (GARN), Hub Latinoamericano.
• Amnistía Internacional
• Amo la Ciencia
• ARTICLE 19 – Oficina para México y Centroamérica
• Asamblea Comunitaria del pueblo Indígena de Alpuyeca, Morelos.
• Asociación Argentina de Abogados/as Ambientalistas
• Asociación Sindical de Trabajadores Agrícolas y Campesinos ASTAC
• Campaña Que Paguen los Contaminadores América Latína y el Caribe
• CartoCrítica, A.C.
• CAMBIUM ( Asociacion clima ambiente e investigación- Accion uniendo mundos)
• CEDENMA (Coordinadora Ecuatoriana de Organizaciones para la Defensa de la Naturaleza y el Medio Ambiente) 
• Centro de Derechos Humanos “Digna Ochoa” Morelos
• Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez, Centro Prodh 
• Centro de Estudios Ecuménicos, A.C. (CEE)
• Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental, A.C. (CEMDA)
• Centro para la Diversidad Biológica/Center for Biological Diversity
• Coalición Mundial por los Bosques/ Global Forest Coalition
• Colectiva Sueña Dignidad
• Colectivo Kanan Ts’ono’ot, Guardianes de los Cenotes
• Colectivo VientoSur, Chile
• Colectivos de Acción por la Justicia Ecosocial
• Compassion in World Farming International
• ControlaTuGobierno A.C.
• Despacho Va Por Sus Derechos A.C (asociación por derechos de los animales no humanos, medio ambiente, grupos vulnerables, mujeres y niños, niñas y adolescentes en México).
• Earthjustice
• Educación, Cultura y Ecología, A.C.
• El Consejo ciudadano x el Agua de Yucatán
• Emmana Social
• EQUIS Justicia para las Mujeres
• Espacio Cultural Educativo Tikosó, Montaña de Guerrero
• Espacio OSC para la Protección de Personas Defensoras y Periodistas. Las organizaciones que integran el Espacio OSC son: ARTICLE 19; Casa del Migrante Saltillo; Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña Tlachinollan; Centro de Derechos Humanos Zeferino Ladrillero (CDHZL); Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA); Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social (Cencos); Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, (CMDPDH); Comunicación e Información de la Mujer A.C. (CIMAC); Instituto de Derecho Ambiental (IDEA), ​​Red Nacional de Organismos Civiles de Derechos Humanos “Todos los Derechos para Todas, Todos y Todes” (Red TDT); SMR: Scalabrinianas, Misión con Migrantes y Refugiados; Servicios y Asesoría para la Paz (Serapaz). El Espacio OSC está acompañado por Brigadas Internacionales de Paz (PBI) – Proyecto México.
• Freirina Conciente
• Frente de los Trabajadores de Plataformas Digitales del Ecuador FRENAPP
• Frente por la Libertad de Expresión y la Protesta Social (FLEPS)
• Fundación Animare (Guanajuato)
• Fundar, Centro de Análisis e Investigación A.C.
• GRAIN
• Grupo Focal sobre Empresas y Derechos Humanos en México
• Hermandad de la Cuenca de la Independencia (Guanajuato)
• International Accountability Project
• Las Ancestrias del Futuro, organizaciones de Mujerez Diaguita Chile / Argentina
• Mercy for Animals Latinoamérica AC
• Mundo y Conciencia AC
• Observatorio de Designaciones Públicas
• Otros Mundos Chiapas/Amigos de la Tierra México
• Pacto Ecosocial e Intercultural del Sur
• People’s Planet Project
• Phoenix Zones Initiative (Iniciativa de Zonas Phoenix)
• Piloncillo Granulado Corazón Huasteco, endulzando la vida, A.C.
• Plataforma Boliviana Frente al Cambio Climático (PBFCC)
• Pueblo Indígena Nahua, San Pedro Tlalcuapan, Tlaxcala, México
• Real Food Media, EEUU
• Red Ciudadana x la sostenibilidad de Yucatán
• Red Compasión Animal
• Red Nacional de Organismos Civiles de Derechos Humanos “Todos los Derechos para Todas, Todos y Todes” (Red TDT)
• Sinergia Animal
• Slow Food Chile
• Slow Food Comunidad: Academía en Gastronomía y Nutrición, Tijuana.
• Tekuan Radio, La voz de los guardianes de los Cerros
• Territorios Diversos para la Vida, A. C.. (TerraVida)
• Tierra Nativa / Amigos de la Tierra Argentina
• Tokalihtik Barrio de Santa Cruz Tequila Veracruz
• Unión de Comunidades Indígenas de la Zona Norte del Istmo UCIZONI
• Observatorio de Ecología Política de Venezuela
• World Animal Protection
• Mujeres, cuerpos y territorios-Venezuela 
• Veganiza tu vida 
• Generación Vegana 
• Mazatecas por la Libertad de Eloxochitlán de Flores Magon Oaxaca.

The post We condemn violations of the right to protest and attacks on human rights and water defenders protesting against Carroll Farms in the Libres-Oriental Basin appeared first on Global Forest Coalition.