Richard Pearshouse
@richardpearshouse.bsky.social
Director, Environment Division @hrw.org
Despite clear—and powerful—calls from civil society for the #COP30 summit to take bolder steps on climate change and to uphold human rights, the summit failed to make any real progress on the two issues key to stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations: fossil fuels + deforestation.
COP30 Fails to Confront Drivers of Climate Crisis
In Belem, Brazil, as United Nations climate summit (COP30) convened, I marched alongside thousands of activists and Indigenous peoples calling on governments to urgently address climate change and pro...
www.hrw.org
November 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Despite clear—and powerful—calls from civil society for the #COP30 summit to take bolder steps on climate change and to uphold human rights, the summit failed to make any real progress on the two issues key to stabilising greenhouse gas concentrations: fossil fuels + deforestation.
Push-back on the latest #COP30 draft:
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
30-plus nations oppose COP30 draft over fossil fuel omission: Colombia
More than 30 countries have co-signed a letter opposing Brazil's draft proposal at the UN climate conference because it fails to include a roadmap phasing out fossil fuels, the Colombian delegation to...
www.france24.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Push-back on the latest #COP30 draft:
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
“We cannot support an outcome that does not include a roadmap for implementing a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.”
Here in Belém, we’re into the last hours of #COP30.
It’s our hope @hrw.org the way Indigenous Peoples have made their presence felt throughout this COP will spur a global commitment towards protecting climate-critical forests, Indigenous Peoples + other forest-dependent communities:
It’s our hope @hrw.org the way Indigenous Peoples have made their presence felt throughout this COP will spur a global commitment towards protecting climate-critical forests, Indigenous Peoples + other forest-dependent communities:
COP30 Should Accelerate Anti-Deforestation Efforts
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began this year's COP30 summit by announcing a global investment fund to pay tropical forest countries to keep trees standing.
www.hrw.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals that would exacerbate it.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
Brazil: Don’t Strip Protection of Environment, Defenders
Brazil’s Congress should reject proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements and to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
www.hrw.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:58 PM
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals that would exacerbate it.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
Those measures could severely impact the Amazon, which is critical for global climate.
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements + to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Brazil: Don’t Strip Protection of Environment, Defenders
Brazil’s Congress should reject proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements and to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
www.hrw.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
As the world comes together to tackle the climate crisis at #COP30 in Brazil, its Congress is considering proposals to dismantle environmental licensing requirements + to revoke a plan to protect human rights defenders.
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Brazil’s Congress should reject these proposals:
www.hrw.org/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Brazil's President Lula has said #COP30 is the COP of truth — "so it must be the truth when it comes to recognizing the titling of Indigenous territories as a climate mitigation measure.”
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Brazil's President Lula has said #COP30 is the COP of truth — "so it must be the truth when it comes to recognizing the titling of Indigenous territories as a climate mitigation measure.”
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
Secure land rights are crucial for the survival of Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. Learn more ⤵️
A reminder that while plenty of people (rightly) call for a phase out of fossil fuels at #COP30, last week a court in Uganda put 12 activists on trial on charges stemming from their protests against the planned East African Crude Oil Pipeline (#EACOP).
Charges against them should be dropped.
Charges against them should be dropped.
Uganda Continues Targeting Fossil Fuel Activists
On November 6, a court in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, gave the go-ahead for the trial of twelve activists, eight of whom are students.
www.hrw.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A reminder that while plenty of people (rightly) call for a phase out of fossil fuels at #COP30, last week a court in Uganda put 12 activists on trial on charges stemming from their protests against the planned East African Crude Oil Pipeline (#EACOP).
Charges against them should be dropped.
Charges against them should be dropped.
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Imagine having to leave your home due to sea level rise and other climate impacts.
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
November 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Imagine having to leave your home due to sea level rise and other climate impacts.
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
Many communities are facing this difficult choice.
@myrtotilianaki.bsky.social is at #COP30, where HRW is pushing for community-centered climate policies ⤵️
Climate COPs are, essentially, an opportunity to better align govt actions with their rhetoric.
So as #COP30 begins in Brazil's Amazon, @hrw.org is drawing attention to the Terra Nossa settlement, where a federal agency plans to hand over a large area of the rainforest to illegal cattle ranches:
So as #COP30 begins in Brazil's Amazon, @hrw.org is drawing attention to the Terra Nossa settlement, where a federal agency plans to hand over a large area of the rainforest to illegal cattle ranches:
In the Shadow of COP30, Brazil is Stripping Rainforest of Protections
While the city of Belém steps up to host the COP30 global climate summit in November, in another corner of Pará state, a federal government agency is planning to hand over a large area of the Amazon r...
www.hrw.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
COP30, the annual United Nations climate change conference, kicks off today in Belém, Brazil.
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
COP30, the annual United Nations climate change conference, kicks off today in Belém, Brazil.
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
This year, countries should move forward with plans to phase out fossil fuels in a way that protects human rights and supports a just transition.
Learn more ⤵️
A new study from PSE Healthy Energy highlights hidden dangers of methane leaks, an often overlooked threat to both climate +public health
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
New Research Details Hidden Health Risks of Methane Emissions
Newly published research from PSE Healthy Energy, a US-based nonprofit research organization, highlights the hidden dangers of methane leaks, an often overlooked but serious threat to both the climate...
www.hrw.org
September 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A new study from PSE Healthy Energy highlights hidden dangers of methane leaks, an often overlooked threat to both climate +public health
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
The research serves as a warning: weakening or delaying methane regulations would undermine climate goals + leave many communities exposed to toxic air pollution
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
"For now, the world isn’t performing an energy transition but an energy addition, where renewables top up oil, gas and coal. ... [T]hat will remain the case for years, if not decades, unless governments impose significant changes."
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
The end of fossil fuel era? It’s nowhere near
For the last few years, climate and energy policymakers have convinced themselves the world was inexorably moving away from fossil fuels. Breaking news: It is not.
www.smh.com.au
September 17, 2025 at 10:47 PM
"For now, the world isn’t performing an energy transition but an energy addition, where renewables top up oil, gas and coal. ... [T]hat will remain the case for years, if not decades, unless governments impose significant changes."
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
Depressing.
www.smh.com.au/business/mar...
“Land and environmental defenders – those protecting our forests, rivers, and lands across the world – continue to be met with unspeakable violence. They are being hunted, harassed, and killed – not for breaking laws, but for defending life itself.”
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
New threats target land and environmental rights defenders
Land and environmental defenders face extreme violence, criminalisation and lack of protection around the world, with 146 killed or disappeared in 2024
globalwitness.org
September 17, 2025 at 5:40 PM
“Land and environmental defenders – those protecting our forests, rivers, and lands across the world – continue to be met with unspeakable violence. They are being hunted, harassed, and killed – not for breaking laws, but for defending life itself.”
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
-Laura Furones, @globalwitness.org
Next week, Pacific leaders gather in Solomon Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum.
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
Pacific Leaders Should Act Collectively on Climate Relocation
Pacific leaders preparing to gather for the Pacific Islands Forum in Solomon Islands this month have accepted a collective responsibility: to act decisively for the many Indigenous communities already...
www.hrw.org
September 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Next week, Pacific leaders gather in Solomon Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum.
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
As single communities across the Pacific face sea level rise + coastal erosion without assistance or support, @hrw.org calls on Pacific leaders to adopt the Pacific Guidance on Internal Planned Relocation:
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
A Chinese company spilled toxic mining waste into Zambian villages and rivers.
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
Zambia Ordered a Mining Company to Pay Villagers After a Toxic Waste Spill. The Firm Made Them Sign Away Their Rights First - Inside Climate News
China’s Sino-Metals Leach Zambia spilled toxic sludge into communities and rivers, an accident that could cost billions to clean up and restore. The firm got impoverished and often illiterate villager...
insideclimatenews.org
September 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM
A Chinese company spilled toxic mining waste into Zambian villages and rivers.
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
When the company's consultant warned that the spill was 3 times worse than previously disclosed and could cause serious illness for locals, the mining firm fired the consultant.
insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Aneto Glacier
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG
September 4, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Aneto Glacier
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG
03 Sept. 2025
What's left of the largest glacier in the Pyrenees! 😱
Only few years more to see ice at the roof of this magnificent mountain range...😭
📷 @cryopyr / IG
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Not just resisting, but leading the fight: five women who refuse to be ignored
Not just resisting, but leading the fight: five women who refuse to be ignored
Across the world, women at the heart of their communities are leading the struggle to protect their culture, land and way of life
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Not just resisting, but leading the fight: five women who refuse to be ignored
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
New rules barring disaster assistance to undocumented immigrants raise a core values question: Is there any universal humanitarian principle that takes precedence over the raw animus toward undocumented people that now seems to be a bedrock principle of US govt policy? www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
US Barriers to Disaster Aid Challenge Human Rights Principles
The Washington Post reports that the US government is requiring organizations receiving federal funding, including from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), not to “operate any program that...
www.hrw.org
August 29, 2025 at 8:07 PM
New rules barring disaster assistance to undocumented immigrants raise a core values question: Is there any universal humanitarian principle that takes precedence over the raw animus toward undocumented people that now seems to be a bedrock principle of US govt policy? www.hrw.org/news/2025/08...
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Air pollution from the oil and gas sector causes 91,000 premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of illnesses in the US each year. Communities of colour face the greatest burden.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Air pollution from oil and gas causes 90,000 premature US deaths each year, says new study
Study analyzed health impacts of fossil fuels from exploration to end use, and found communities of color bear brunt of harm
www.theguardian.com
August 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Air pollution from the oil and gas sector causes 91,000 premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of illnesses in the US each year. Communities of colour face the greatest burden.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Continuing oil production in Block 43 in Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park ignores the people’s mandate and directly affects the rights of the Indigenous Peoples inhabiting the park: @hrw.org
Ecuador: Indigenous people and activists demand the end of oil extraction in the Amazon region in Quito - Noticias Ambientales
Representatives of the Waorani people and environmental organizations arrived in Quito to demand an end to oil extraction in the Yasuní National Park, one
noticiasambientales.com
August 27, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Continuing oil production in Block 43 in Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park ignores the people’s mandate and directly affects the rights of the Indigenous Peoples inhabiting the park: @hrw.org
Dix ans après la houle dévastatrice de 2016, des centaines de familles déplacées à Khar Yalla à Saint -Louis dans le nord du Sénégal vivent toujours dans des conditions précaires: @hrw-fr.hrw.org
Sénégal : Dix ans après, le calvaire continue pour les réfugiés climatiques de Saint-Louis
« Rien n’a résisté à la furie des vagues. La maison s’est écroulée en un clin d’œil. Nous assistions, impuissants, à la disparition de tout ce que nous possédions ». C’est avec une voix grave que Fato...
fr.mongabay.com
August 26, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Dix ans après la houle dévastatrice de 2016, des centaines de familles déplacées à Khar Yalla à Saint -Louis dans le nord du Sénégal vivent toujours dans des conditions précaires: @hrw-fr.hrw.org
El gobierno de Ecuador debe acelerar el cierre de los aproximadamente 240 pozos petroleros que operan en el corazón del Parque Nacional Yasuní, en la selva amazónica: @hrw.org
Human Rights Watch: “Ecuador debe cerrar ya los 240 pozos petroleros en el Yasuní”
Human Rights Watch pidió al Gobierno acelerar el cierre de los pozos en el Yasuní, como ordenó el referéndum de 2023 y los fallos judiciales | Actualidad | Extra
www.extra.ec
August 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
El gobierno de Ecuador debe acelerar el cierre de los aproximadamente 240 pozos petroleros que operan en el corazón del Parque Nacional Yasuní, en la selva amazónica: @hrw.org
Reposted by Richard Pearshouse
Indonesia is the top producer of palm oil in the world, and Indonesian Papua is its final frontier for agriculture-driven deforestation.
In a new feature, HRW documents how the government and companies took Indigenous lands without women's consent in Indonesia's South Papua 🧵⤵️
In a new feature, HRW documents how the government and companies took Indigenous lands without women's consent in Indonesia's South Papua 🧵⤵️
August 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Indonesia is the top producer of palm oil in the world, and Indonesian Papua is its final frontier for agriculture-driven deforestation.
In a new feature, HRW documents how the government and companies took Indigenous lands without women's consent in Indonesia's South Papua 🧵⤵️
In a new feature, HRW documents how the government and companies took Indigenous lands without women's consent in Indonesia's South Papua 🧵⤵️