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Earth Law Monthly Update
August 2022

Dear Friends:

This month, we highlight a "moonshot accelerator," steady progress towards Ocean Rights, another Rights of Nature win in the Rocky Mountains, and an ELC event with Columbia Law School's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law taking place during Climate Week NYC. If you happen to be in New York City during the week of September 19, please get in touch to meet our team! Next month, stay tuned for a more in-depth review of our recent program wins. Thank you, as always, for your support!

-Earth Law Center Team

SDG Moonshot Accelerator: Earth Law Center was Invited to Dream the Impossible

The Earth Law Center (ELC) team, represented by Constanza Prieto Figelist and Javier Ruiz, attended a "moonshot accelerator" hosted by Unlocked Aid and Day One Project to discuss what's needed to achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate targets by 2030.

ELC's team was amongst 40 global innovators from 25+ countries across six continents that was chosen from a large pool of applicants. All of the participants focused on curating a set of ambitious moonshots to eliminate poverty, promote health for all, and protect Nature.

Our team aimed to address the SDG 15 to protect life on land. Towards this goal, our moonshot seeks to ensure a biological corridor for the Mexican Jaguar based on a Rights of Nature governance model.

The accelerator will continue to assist ELC and other participating organizations to make our moonshots a reality.

CLIMATE WEEK NYC

Join Us: Panel Hosted by ELC and Columbia Law's Sabin Center on Sept. 21

ELC is co-hosting a free panel with Columbia’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law during Climate Week NYC. ELC’s Elizabeth Dunne will be on the panel with an all-star lineup of thought leaders in the spaces of Earth-centered laws, ethics, and movements. We hope you join us! See below details, flyer, and registration.

Panel on "Reframing Environmental Jurisprudence Towards Interconnection"

When: September 21, 2022 - 4:30pm-6:00pm Eastern 

Where: 435 W 116th St (corner of Amsterdam Ave), Jerome Greene Hall, Room 104, New York, NY 

Nearest subway: 116th Street stop on #1 line

RSVP (space is limited): https://forms.gle/upZ6pymFesx8YNBp9

Description: Join us to learn about the future of environmental jurisprudence in light of climate change and biodiversity loss. Panelists will speak on how we can reframe our legal and cultural systems to embrace our interconnection with Nature rather than treating humans as separate from the natural world. Panelists will also discuss ecocentric legal and cultural movements from across the world, such as the growing number of governments embracing the Rights of Nature, the rights of future generations, and other paradigms. Vaccinations required.

Panelists: 1) Paulette Jordan, Save the American Salmon; 2) Karenna Gore, Esq., Center for Earth Ethics; 3) Michael Gerrard, Esq., Columbia Law School; 4) Janet MacGillivray, Seeding Sovereignty; 5) Elizabeth Dunne, Esq., Earth Law Center

Moderator: Renata Happle – Barnard College Student

Special introduction: Maliya Francis – Future Earth Leader and student, Avenues The World School

* * * 

Can't make it but want to meet with ELC in New York City? Contact info@earthlaw.org to learn of other opportunities.

OCEAN RIGHTS

Ocean Rights Continues Progress on International Stage

This month, the fifth intergovernmental meeting commenced for a High Seas treaty. Though an agreement was not reached, there are two promising advances we want to share (full draft text here).

First, the IUCN submitted a proposal calling for an amendment to the agreement's preamble (bold): "Stressing the need to respect the balance of rights, obligations and interests set out in the Convention, as well as the rights and interests of future generations and marine life to a healthy, productive and resilient ocean.

Second, already solidified in the agreement is the stewardship principle, which is defined as “The stewardship of the areas beyond national jurisdiction on behalf of present and future generations by protecting, caring for and ensuring responsible use of the marine environment, maintaining the integrity of ocean ecosystems and preserving the inherent value of biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.”

This would be the first international agreement that recognizes and protects the inherent (or intrinsic) value of the Ocean! This would be a big win for Ocean health and facilitate changes in how decision-makers decide what level of human activity is ‘sustainable’ and what may constitute ‘severe or irreversible harm’ in international waters, which to date have been overexploited. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog that will cover more on this topic! 

LOCAL EARTH LAW

Rights Recognized for Grand Lake Watershed in Colorado

In August 2022, the Board of Trustees in Grand Lake, Colorado (USA), passed a Rights of Nature Resolution for the Grand Lake Watershed. The resolution recognizes Grand Lake and its Watershed as legal entities possessing fundamental rights, including rights to existence, integral health, regeneration, natural evolution, and restoration. Grand Lake is the deepest natural lake in the State of Colorado.

The resolution also establishes certain responsibilities of the Town to respect the Lake, including considering its rights in local governance and giving the ecosystem a formal voice in public decision-making.

For over a year, ELC has been working with Save the Colorado (read their detailed press release here), local communities, and others to advance local resolutions on the rights of waters in the Rocky Mountains. We are thrilled about this development and others soon to come!