On the banks of Germany’s Rhine River, the chants of prayers to Mother Earth, the harmonics of Siberian throat singing, the drum-led music of Indigenous peoples of the global South and the cadence of Inuk poetry blended and streamed through the quiet former capital city of Bonn during the recent Global Landscapes Forum, which focused on securing the rights of the planet’s most important caretakers.
Youth from around the globe rose in solidarity with their elders from Indigenous peoples’ organizations and local communities from across 83 countries to stand up for their rights to control their territories and continue the critical work of halting the enormous damage of the global climate crisis. Two heads of global environmental research organizations lingered in embrace of friendship and collegiality in a moving conclusion to the emotional event that ended 23 June 2019.
Thoughtful, brave and hopeful words poured from participants during the event, which touched more than 14 million people through social media. Here are 10 of the best quotes.
Finally…
…thank you for reading this story. Our mission is to make them freely accessible to everyone, no matter where they are.
We believe that lasting and impactful change starts with changing the way people think. That’s why we amplify the diverse voices the world needs to hear – from local restoration leaders to Indigenous communities and women who lead the way.
By supporting us, not only are you supporting the world’s largest knowledge-led platform devoted to sustainable and inclusive landscapes, but you’re also becoming a vital part of a global community that’s working tirelessly to create a healthier world for us all.
Every donation counts – no matter the amount. Thank you for being a part of our mission.
Stay informed with our curated climate stories and environmental updates
Our top feature story every week - in-depth reporting on the issues that matter most.
A monthly podcast with the world's unsung environmental heroes - stories that inspire change.
A monthly round-up of the latest headlines - stay informed with our curated selection of important news.
You've been successfully added to our newsletter list. Stay tuned for the latest climate stories and updates.
Forests provide us with countless resources. But what do they mean to us, really? We asked participants at IUFRO Stockholm 2024.
In an exclusive interview, artist and conservationist Danielle Khan Da Silva explains how storytelling can help catalyze social change.
GLF Live with Christophe Kouame, Tim Christophersen, Derrick Emsley and Analí Bustos