Ecuador
The subject for my portrait for Ecuador is Natalia Greene, prominent activist and environmental leader, internationally recognized for her relentless efforts in defending the rights of nature and climate justice.
About Ecuador
Ecuador is a country in northwestern South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It also includes the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, about 1,000 kilometers west of the mainland.
The Galapagos Islands boast a unique environment due to their volcanic origins, diverse habitats ranging from desert to tropical forests, and the convergence of ocean currents, resulting in a high level of biodiversity and endemic species.
The main environmental issues facing Ecuador include deforestation driven by oil palm plantations, logging, and mining, as well as pollution from oil spills and unsustainable fisheries.
The Galapagos Islands face additional environmental threats including climate change, invasive species, overfishing, pollution, and the impact of tourism and human settlement.
About Natalia
Nati Greene was one of the main advocates for the "Rights of Nature" concept, which in 2008 made Ecuador the first country in the world to include this principle in its Constitution, setting a global precedent in environmental law.
In Nati's words "My work was inspired by my time with the Indigenous Waorani women of Yasuní while studying political science and analyzing the politics of the region. That experience deeply moved me, especially as I gained a deeper understanding of the rainforest. Advocating for the recognition of the Rights of Nature in Ecuador’s Constitution became a clear and necessary path when I realized what was at stake—that Ecuador’s true wealth lies in its nature, people, and culture."
Currently, Nati serves as the Global Director of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN), an international network dedicated to promoting policies, legal frameworks, and collective actions that recognize and protect nature as a rights-bearing entity. In this role, she leads efforts to strengthen local and global movements aimed at transforming humanity's relationship with the environment into a more equitable, respectful model rather than just treating it as property
Watch the portrait's story below
This video shows the painting process, and tells some of Natalia's story.
