In a thought-provoking article from The New Republic, the author delves into the concept of extending legal personhood to nonhuman entities as a means to protect them before it’s too late. The piece begins by confronting the harsh reality of the climate and mass extinction crises, emphasizing our lack of understanding of the full scope of what we stand to lose.
In an inspiring victory for environmental justice, Teresa Vicente has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her relentless campaign to protect the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon. Her efforts culminated in the passage of a groundbreaking law in September 2022, which granted the lagoon unique legal rights, marking a historic moment in the Rights of Nature movement.
In a move that’s as refreshing as a crisp Arctic breeze, Iceland’s political scene is witnessing an unprecedented campaign: a glacier is being nominated for the presidential race. The candidate in question is Snæfellsjökull, a 700,000-year-old glacier that sits atop a volcano and is visible to half of Iceland’s population.
In a landmark decision, whales and dolphins have been recognized as “legal persons” in a new treaty formed by Indigenous leaders from the Pacific. This historic treaty, known as He Whakaputanga Moana, is a declaration that acknowledges these majestic creatures of the sea as legal entities, allowing humans to take legal action on their behalf.
In a groundbreaking initiative, Indigenous leaders from New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga, and the Cook Islands have come together to sign a treaty granting legal personhood to whales. This historic move, led by the Hinemoana Halo Ocean Initiative, aims to provide whales with rights that include freedom of movement, natural behavior, and a healthy environment.
Aruba is on the verge of a historic environmental milestone with the proposed constitutional amendment to recognize the Rights of Nature. This initiative, led by Minister of Nature Ursell Arends, aims to enshrine in law the protection, conservation, and restoration of Aruba’s ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
CBS News, a mainstream television network, had a great story on their popular Saturday Morning show about the growing movement around the world acknowledging that nature has the same rights as humans. This movement has led to new legislation in some countries, notably Panama, which has implemented a country-wide rights of nature law. The law was instrumental in shutting down one of the world’s largest copper mines, highlighting its effectiveness.
Pope Francis urges for stronger action on climate change. He discusses the latest climate science and his disappointment with the lack of progress on the Paris Agreement. He also criticizes the denial of climate science. The pope calls for binding commitments to reduce emissions and to help those who are already being affected by climate change.
In a groundbreaking shift in environmental law, the concept of granting legal rights to nature is gaining traction. A recent New York Times article delves into this transformative movement, exploring its implications and the growing number of cases where natural entities are being recognized as legal persons. This legal renaissance is not just a theoretical exercise; it has practical consequences. By recognizing the rights of rivers, forests, and ecosystems, we are witnessing a fundamental change in how nature is protected and preserved. The movement is rooted in the belief that nature has intrinsic value and should have a voice in our legal system.
A law setting out to protect Victoria’s Yarra River has been identified by the United Nations as a legislative example of the rights of nature and signifies a shift in the way the government thinks about protecting the natural environment. httpss://lens.monash.edu/@politics-society/2023/03/03/1385376/australias-rights-of-nature-push-flows-from-the-yarra-river