At Catholic Climate Covenant, we are inspired by the courage and resilience of Earth Defenders — those individuals who stand on the frontlines of the global environmental crisis, often at great personal risk. Unfortunately, in our world, there are many for whom dominating the world is not enough — they are intent on bringing harm to those who seek to help and defend our planet.
Around the world, people like Berta Cáceres and Juan López pay the ultimate price for defending their communities and the environment.
Juan López, a leader of the Guapinol River community in Honduras, was killed in September 2024. López was a prominent figure in the peaceful resistance against a mining project that threatened the water supply of thousands of people in the region. His assassination was a stark reminder of the extreme risks that many environmental defenders face when they challenge powerful industries that prioritize profit over people and the planet. Read more about Juan López’s tragic death here.
Download Juan’s Prayer Card Front | Download Juan’s Prayer Card Back
Similarly, Berta Cáceres, an indigenous leader and environmental activist in Honduras, was tragically murdered in 2016 for her relentless opposition to destructive megaprojects that threatened her people’s land and water. A co-founder of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), Cáceres was an outspoken advocate for the preservation of the Gualcarque River and the rights of indigenous communities in the face of the powerful forces of economic exploitation. Her death, along with the killing of many other Earth Defenders, highlights the dangerous intersection between human rights and environmental justice.
Download Berta’s Prayer Card Front | Download Berta’s Prayer Card Back
Earth Defenders like Cáceres and López are not isolated cases; their experiences are part of a broader, global struggle for environmental justice. Across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and even in parts of the U.S., environmental defenders are frequently targeted for speaking out against projects that threaten their land, water, and livelihoods. These defenders are often indigenous or rural community leaders, who are protecting their ancestral lands from illegal logging, mining, hydroelectric dams, and other forms of environmental degradation.
According to Amnesty International, Earth Defenders are “human rights defenders working to protect the environment and the rights of communities affected by corporate and governmental exploitation of natural resources.” These activists are often met with intimidation, violence, and even death, simply for advocating for the protection of their environment and the rights of their communities.
The role of the Covenant and our partners
As an organization committed to environmental justice, Catholic Climate Covenant stands in solidarity with Earth Defenders around the world. We partner with a number of organizations that are directly involved in supporting those who risk their lives to protect the environment. Our partners provide legal support, advocacy, and resources to help protect Earth Defenders from violence, intimidation, and harassment.
In this dangerous and ongoing fight, many organizations, such as Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (OGC), Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, and St. Columban Mission for Justice, Peace, and Ecology, are critical partners of Catholic Climate Covenant in providing support, advocacy, and solidarity for these brave defenders.
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (OGC) has long been a leading advocate for human rights, environmental protection, and justice for marginalized communities, particularly in regions like Latin America, Africa, and Asia, where Earth Defenders face severe threats. Through their advocacy, Maryknoll raises awareness of the dangers these defenders face and pushes for stronger protections at both national and international levels. They work closely with local organizations to amplify the voices of those often silenced and support campaigns that hold governments and corporations accountable for harming environmental activists. Maryknoll’s commitment to international solidarity ensures that critical cases of violence and intimidation against Earth Defenders receive global attention, exemplifying the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in advancing human rights and environmental justice.
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas play a vital role in supporting Earth Defenders, particularly in Central America, where many activists face severe risks. Committed to justice and human dignity, the Sisters work alongside indigenous communities to protect natural resources and human rights. They provide financial and moral support to at-risk communities, raise awareness about the violence Earth Defenders face, and advocate for accountability from governments and corporations. Their commitment to sustainability and justice aligns with Catholic Climate Covenant, amplifying the voices of those fighting for environmental and human rights. The Sisters also engage in educational efforts to promote responsible policies and foster stronger connections between faith-based communities and environmental justice movements.
The St. Columban Mission for Justice, Peace, and Ecology is a key partner of Catholic Climate Covenant, working to promote environmental justice by protecting indigenous lands and supporting Earth Defenders. Columban missionaries raise awareness about human rights abuses and environmental degradation caused by multinational corporations, standing in solidarity with those at risk. Through their advocacy, they push for global policy shifts that prioritize the needs of marginalized communities and the protection of the environment as a matter of justice and peace. In collaboration with Catholic Climate Covenant, the Columbans support campaigns to ensure the voices of Earth Defenders are heard and protected on the international stage.
A call for global action
The assassinations of Berta Cáceres, Juan López, and countless other Earth Defenders are not isolated tragedies—they are a global crisis that demands urgent action. These brave individuals, rooted in deep connections to the land, defend not only their communities but the future of all humanity. As Pope Francis calls us to recognize in Laudato Si’, the cry of the earth is inseparable from the cry of the poor (LS, 49), and the defenders of our common home stand as witnesses to this urgent truth.
At Catholic Climate Covenant, we are committed to advancing environmental justice, inspired by the courage of Earth Defenders who embody the Church’s call to care for creation as an act of justice. The protection of the earth is directly tied to the protection of human dignity, as emphasized in Catholic Social Teaching, and we must ensure that those who harm these defenders are held accountable. We call on governments, corporations, and individuals to strengthen protections for environmental activists and support their crucial work.
We also urge the faithful to lift up Earth Defenders in prayer, reflection, and action, remembering that the dignity of every person is tied to the health of the planet. We must stand in solidarity with those who risk their lives to protect it. Let us honor the legacy of Berta, Juan, and all Earth Defenders, ensuring their voices are never silenced and that their fight for a just, sustainable world continues to inspire future generations.
The struggle for environmental justice is far from over, but together, we can make sure that the voices of the brave defenders are heard and honored.