Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your web browser

Earth Law Monthly Update
July 2022

Dear Friends:

This month, we highlight major developments in the 'Ocean Rights' space, the Future Earth Leaders program, and continued progress towards the Rights of Nature in Mexico. Summers are often ELC's busiest season due to a significant boost from student intern support. They are currently are hard at work on a variety of projects—Bern Convention complaints, an analysis of U.S. state ecocentric laws, amicus briefs on the rights of future generations, strategic planning, and much more. We look forward to doing a full report on these projects in August! 

-Earth Law Center Team

Ocean Rights Gains Traction at the United Nations 

At the end of June, our partners, The Ocean Race, organized a side event “Towards a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights” after the UN Ocean Conference to discuss how to accelerate action to recognize and protect the intrinsic value of the Ocean in law. Esteemed speakers included Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, Ulisses Correia de Silva, Former President of the Republic of Seychelles, Danny Faure, Callie Veelenturf from the Earth Law Center and The Leatherback Project, The Ocean Race Chairman Richard Brisius, and Kristina Gjerde, Senior High Seas Advisor to the IUCN Ocean Team and Advisor to the Schmidt Ocean Institute. We had a full room of 200 interested ocean warriors! You can read more about the event here. And a huge THANK YOU to Callie Veelenturf for representing ELC!

Additionally, Ulisses Correia de Silva, Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, supported Ocean Rights in his speech at the UN Plenary session on June 29. He said, “We advocate for standards and binding rules of law that express global commitments and that can ultimately lead to the Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights.”  You can watch the full speech here and read the official UN press release here. 

And last but not least, our initiative was included in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s reflection blog on the conference. Ocean Director, Minna Epps wrote, “Finally, I also want to point out the welcome aspiration of a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights as a concept of a global formalisation of the rights of the Ocean, to be presented to the United Nations in 2023 for joint agreement by the governments of the world. The Rights of Nature movement, and the inclusion of eco-centric language is embedded in several international frameworks such as the CBD post 2020 global biodiversity framework as well as in the IUCN Resolution 100.” ELC has long been working with the IUCN to implement its commitments under Resolution 100, and the UDOR is one pathway of action. 

FUTURE EARTH LEADERS GATHER AT ELC HEADQUARTERS

This summer, ELC piloted a new program for Future Earth Leaders (FELs). The program invited 11 students from across the U.S. and world to learn about Earth law and innovative solutions to solve the environmental crisis. The students not only attend Earth law classes, but also advance a variety of projects on the Rights of Nature, Earth law education, environmental rights, and related topics. 

In mid-July, many of the FELs descended upon Durango, Colorado, a quaint mountain town where ELC has its global headquarters. They continued their studies and projects while also learning from a variety of local institutions—the courthouse, Turtle Lake Refuge, and others. They also took lessons on how to harness their voice for the good of the planet. Finally, they were able to enjoy the region's alpine ecosystems, free-flowing rivers, and hot springs.

FELs were joined by various ELC staff, volunteers, and summer policy interns. Congratulations to the FELs and everyone who supported their journey this summer!

OCEAN RIGHTS

One Blue Voice Campaign Launch

One Blue Voice launched their comprehensive and compelling petition to help to drive public support for Ocean rights. This ambitious campaign aims to give the Ocean a voice and put in place a global framework for protecting the marine environment, which is critical to maintaining the health of the planet. We are calling on members of the public to show their support for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights by signing a petition which will be presented to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2023, alongside draft principles underpinning Ocean rights.

Please sign and share the petition today! (And check out the inclusion on page four in Time Magazine!)

INTERNATIONAL EARTH LAW

ELC Mexico Takes Part in International Earth Law Roundtable

On June 9, Jesus Sesma Suarez, legislator of the Parliamentarian Association Green Alliance for the City, organized a roundtable event as part of the second session of the International Parliament for Mother Earth. Those in attendance were representatives of many regions and localities, federal legislators, national agency officials, and our own Claudia Brindis, the ELC Mexico Operative Director. The roundtable's outcome was Pacto ILE (Pact of Successful Local Initiatives), in which participants pledged to promote the recognition and implementation of the Rights of Nature in their countries.

EARTH LAW MEXICO

ELC Mexico Partners With Selvame del Tren

The ELC Mexico Team is participating in the Selvame del Tren campaign to stop the destruction resulting from the Mayan Train Project, which affects the cenotes system, the rainforest, and species in Quintana Roo. The Mayan Train is a high-profile project for the Mexican government aiming to connect the Yucatán Peninsula with tourist opportunities and freight rail, however, with some questionable effects. Currently, the legal challenge process is advancing in coordination with local and international organizations.

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

ELC continues to advocate for Rights of Mother Earth in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Last week, the Secretariat of the CBD announced that a special three-day meeting (December 3-5) will occur prior to COP-15 (December 7-19) in Montreal, Canada. We have received support for our recommendations from over 200 organizations and individuals across 40+ countries. As it stands, the Draft recommendation submitted by the Co-Chairs at OEWG-4, includes Rights of Mother Earth language currently [in brackets], meaning it is subject to adoption during COP-15.