One of the most widespread assumptions in modern societies is the idea that Nature is property and a resource to be used by human beings for our own ends.
If we want to build a just, thriving, and sustainable world, we need to shift this assumption and recognize that Nature sustains all life, including ours, and must be free to continue doing so.
Protect the Earth and Community Rights
Rights of Nature is an innovative legal concept that could powerfully shift our legal, economic, and intellectual relationship to Nature.
By recognizing the Earth and all its ecosystems as a living being with inalienable rights, Rights of Nature honors our planet as someone to be protected, rather than something to be destroyed.
Such laws also endow people with the authority to defend ecosystems, giving our communities an important tool to truly protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and our overall well-being.
Three Ways to Make Rights of Nature a Topic of Global Conversation
- Read the Universal Declaration of Rights of Mother Earth and sign your name as a supporter. You’ll be joining such visionaries as Vandana Shiva, Desmond Tutu, Joanna Macy, Margaret Atwood, and Paul Hawken, among others.
- Sign the petition calling on world leaders and UN member nations to adopt the Universal Declaration of Rights of Mother Earth. The Global Alliance for Rights of Nature will present the signed petition and Universal Declaration at the Rio+20 Earth Summit this week.
- Watch and share this beautiful video about Rights of Nature and the petition effort. It’s a great way to start a conversation with your friends and family, online or in-person.
The Power of Spreading the Word
Yesterday, 350.org and others organized a “Twitter storm” to call on world leaders gathered at this week’s Rio+20 Earth Summit to end fossil fuel subsidies.
Millions of people helped make the hash tag #endfossilfuelsubsidies the number two topic globally and number one in the U.S. – demonstrating that grassroots efforts can still influence public discourse.
So, while we’ve got the world’s attention on fossil fuel subsidies, let’s get at the underlying assumption behind them by bringing Rights of Nature to the conversation.
Additional Resources
- Read more about Rights of Nature and its importance in the work of The Pachamama Alliance and Fundación Pachamama.
- Connect with the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund and find out how to create a Bill of Rights featuring Rights of Nature in your community.
- Download the free report from Global Exchange, “Rights of Nature: Planting Seeds of Real Change.”
