| | Earth Law Monthly Update
April 2022 | | Dear friends: This month, we highlight thrilling news in Chile, continued advancements in the Ocean Rights space, the rights of Southern Resident orcas, and a major Harmony with Nature event in New York. Earth-centered laws continue to advance on bigger stages globally, with more national and international recognition of the Rights of Nature and other transformative legal movements. Also, a huge thank you to everyone who donated to our Earth Day campaign! Our sponsors extended their donation matching, so you still have time to double your impact here. -Earth Law Center Team | | | | | | | | Rights of Nature to be Considered by Chile's Constitutional Convention A citizens' initiative developed by NGOs Defensa Ambiental and Earth Law Center, called 15,000 Hearts for the Earth - For the Recognition and Defense of the Rights of Nature, gained enough signatures to be discussed in Chile's Constitutional Convention, the body in charge of drafting Chile's new constitution. In addition to the Rights of Nature, the initiative proposes a series of robust environmental principles, such as the prevention principle, precautionary principle, and non-regression principle. According to advocates, these principles are important to interpret and implement the Rights of Nature and correct gaps in the protection and restoration of Nature. Finally, the initiative would establish the right of citizens to file actions demanding compliance with the Rights of Nature. Last month, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature also organized an expert delegation to visit Chile and support the Rights of Nature in the new constitution. Each member of the coalition had successfully promoted the Rights of Nature in different countries. We look forward to continuing this progress! | | | | | | | | ELC's Latin American Legal Director Distinguished as a “Women River Defender” by International Rivers On International Women's Day, International Rivers has decided to honor those women who play a critical role in society by providing, managing, or safeguarding water resources. One of those recognized was ELC's Latin America Legal Director, Constanza Prieto Figelist! This recognition seeks to highlight the crucial role of women in the decision-making process regarding the care and management of waters. As International Rivers says, “Governments often ignore the experiences and perspectives of women when making decision regarding water, however, years of experience have shown us that dams and other water infrastructures impact communities with a gender perspective." Joining Constanza are an incredible group of leaders that you can read more about on the International Rivers website. | |  | | | | | Rights for the Southern Resident Orcas: Events and Partnerships ELC has been busy this month advancing our campaign to recognize and implement the rights of endangered Southern Resident Orcas. First, Kriss Kevorkian of Legal Rights for Salish Sea and ELC's Elizabeth Dunne presented on the Rights of Nature movement and the effort to recognize the inherent rights of Southern Resident Orcas at the 2022 Unitarian Universalist Environmental Justice Summit on March 19. Recording available here. Second, ELC has a new collaboration with the University of Washington (UW)! ELC’s Elizabeth Dunne and Michelle Bender are excited to be working with a team of UW undergraduate students on our campaign to recognize the rights of the Southern Resident Orcas. This project contributes to ELC’s commitment to educate and involve students and youth in the Earth law movement. Finally, ELC presented on the Rights of Nature and rights of the Southern Resident Orcas at the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (April 26-28). | |  | | | | | Ocean Rights at the International Stage We had a jam packed month for Ocean Rights! The Ocean Race held a summit in the Seychelles to advance new and improved policies to protect and govern the seas. At the heart of the summit was a proposal to recognize the Ocean’s rights, reflecting that just as we have one ocean, we need one set of rules to effectively protect it. Richard Brisius, Race Chairman of The Ocean Race, said: “Through our Summits we are bringing together a diverse range of leaders, experts and ocean advocates, who all share a common goal to protect the ocean. This provides a unique opportunity to develop and drive ocean rights.” Check out the long and short video summaries. ELC then joined The Ocean Race for Monaco Ocean Week, alongside Antonio Di Natale, Todd McGuire, Ronny Jumeau, and others. Here we announced the launch of our initiative to develop principles towards a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights for introduction to the U.N. General Assembly in 2023. Thank you to Fondation Prince Albert Ii De Monaco for the invitation. You can read a story in Monaco Life here if you missed it. Finally, we made our way to Genoa, Italy, for our first innovation workshop for international stakeholders to discuss a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights. Thank you to all the participants, and to Mayor Bucci, who graciously has welcomed our initiative to the city of Geno. Our launch has been featured in over 40 media outlets and broadcast stations, including newspapers La Stampa and La Repubblica, and with broadcast coverage on Tele Nord and TGR Liguria. For more, see here and here. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ELC's mission is to transform the law to honor and protect Nature's inherent right to exist, thrive, and evolve. | | | | | | | | | | Contact Us Earth Law Center
PO Box 3164
Boulder, Colorado 80307
510-566-1063
info@earthlaw.org | | | | | | | |
