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

Earth Law Monthly Update
March 2023

This month, we highlight a new national law recognizing the rights of Sea Turtles and their habitat, the UN 2023 Water Conference, the Rights of Southern Resident Orcas, the new UN High Seas Treaty, our global education program, and Indigenous Earth Law. ELC is a "lean, green, Earth saving machine" with nearly all of our donations going directly to our team of lawyers, advocates, and activists, so please consider a donation to support our growing campaigns!

-Earth Law Center Team

The Rights of Sea Turtles are Recognized in Panama

On March 1, 2023, President Laurentino Cortizo of Panama signed into law a national statute on the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles and their Habitats. The legislation, in addition to other protective measures, recognizes the inherent rights of Sea Turtles and their habitats. Congressman Gabriel Silva introduced the bill in 2021, and it underwent three legal debates, with participation from The Leatherback Project and Earth Law Center (amongst others). This law, to our knowledge, is the first worldwide to guarantee and specify the rights of a particular species.

This new law coincides with the 2023 Our Ocean Conference held in Panama, where government, industry, science, and civil society gathered to discuss Ocean-related issues. The conference delivered more fantastic news and commitments, including:

• Expanded MPA: Panama signed a decree to expand the Banco Volcán marine protected area (MPA), with Panama now protecting 50 percent of its marine territory, significantly ahead of its 2030 pledge.
• Proposed Marine Sanctuary: Panama proposed a new marine sanctuary, specifically the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Saboga in the Gulf of Panama. The proposal includes language that recognizes and defends the sanctuary's rights and implements the national Rights of Nature law. This fantastic accomplishment was led by The Leatherback Project!

EARTH LAW MOVEMENT BUILDING

ELC Pleads Before Peruvian Court for the Marañon River's Rights

On February 16, 2023, in Cajamarca, Peru, Javier Ruiz, an ELC Expert in Environmental Policy and Climate Change, presented an amicus curiae brief defending the Rights for the Marañón River before the Superior Court of Justice of Cajamarca. We advocated for the recognition of intrinsic rights for the Marañón River. Additionally, we recommended applying the precautionary and in dubio pro aqua (when in doubt, protect water) principles to safeguard the river from the adverse effects of hydroelectric projects that have impacted its water course, well-being, health, riparian communities, and ecosystem. ELC previously submitted an amicus brief with International Rivers and the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, who are amongst our incredible partners in this campaign.

EARTH LAW IN PRACTICE

Rights of Nature Grows in the Pacific Northwest - Orcas, Salmon, and More

On March 9th and March 28th, Des Moines and Pierce County, respectfully, became the next localities in Washington State (USA) to recognize the inherent rights of Southern Resident Orcas, joining Port Townsend, Gig Harbor, Langley, Bainbridge Island, Jefferson County, and San Juan County. You can view the ever-growing list here. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Elliott Lytle for introducing the proclamation to Des Moines City Council, to Marty Campbell and Robyn Denson for their support in Pierce County, and to our partner Kriss Kevorkian at Legal Rights for the Salish Sea for shepherding the campaign!

EARTH LAW CONFERENCE

ELC Highlights Innovative Solutions at the UN 2023 Water Conference

The UN 2023 Water Conference took place at UN Headquarters in New York, 22-24 March 2023, co-hosted by Tajikistan and the Netherlands. A special thanks to Solène Crawley, a Denver Law student, and Aurélie Rodzynek, a fundraising coordinator and ELC advocate, for their support at the conference! Below are a few of the events ELC participated in (full list here).

1) Rights of Nature: The Missing Connection to Enhance and Implement the SDGs on Water. Co-organized by Earth Law Center and featuring International Rivers, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, and the many incredible speakers and collaborators listed blow.

The panel was a multi-stakeholder dialogue to discuss the Rights of Nature as a tool to deliver on the SDGs, ensuring adequate water governance to protect Nature. Constanza Prieto Figelist made the closing statement on behalf of ELC in support of the Rights of Nature movement. A special thank you to the Government of Aruba for highlighting their work with ELC! Watch the video here.

Want to do more to support Water? Let us know how you would like us to amplify the voice of Water during the conference by sharing your ideas here: https://forms.gle/KJnQBTHo6wDi4kR76

INTERNATIONAL EARTH LAW

The United Nations Agrees to Historic High Seas Treaty

After nearly two decades of negotiations, global leaders reached a historic agreement to protect the High Seas in New York at the end of February. As a member of the High Seas Alliance, ELC has been closely following the development of this treaty and advocating for its urgent adoption. This treaty represents a crucial tool to achieve the goal of protecting 30 percent of the Ocean by 2030.

The treaty incorporates principles that underpin Ocean Rights in the preamble, desiring for signatories to act as responsible stewards of the high seas on behalf of present and future generations, maintain the integrity of ocean ecosystems and conserve the inherent value of biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

While there are areas of needed improvement, this is a landmark step in protecting the Ocean, by recognizing that the High Seas are not limitless, but are a vulnerable ecosystem in need of urgent protection. Read more about the impact of this treaty from the High Seas Alliance.

EARTH LAW EXHIBIT

German Exhibit Features Rights of Rivers

We are excited to announce the opening of the new exhibit, Wasser Botschaften/Water Messages, at the MARKK Museum in Hamburg, Germany. This exhibit features the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers (co-developed by ELC and International Rivers, amongst others), as well as the inspiring work of the Atrato River Guardians. Through stunning visuals and immersive displays, Wasser Botschaften/Water Messages explores the importance of protecting our planet's most vital relation: Water.

ELC Director of Water Advocacy, Dr. Kelsey Leonard, was a member of the exhibit's Water Think Tank and featured by the Hamburg Journal in an interview available here. Dr. Leonard also provided an exhibit talk on rights of Rivers to museum goers and was part of a panel moderated by Dr. Andrea Muehlebach exploring Rights of Nature initiatives in Europe and Latin America. Join us in celebrating the power and resilience of the Water and learn how we can all work together to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come!

INTERNATIONAL EARTH LAW

IMPAC5: More Earth Law Updates

Last month, we highlighted Ocean Rights side events at IMPAC 5, the International Marine Protected Area Conference in Vancouver in February. This month, we are thrilled to share details of the Indigenous IMPAC5 Caucus, which brought together over 200 Indigenous delegates from across the globe to network and strategize on marine conservation. The Open Space style facilitated session allowed for deep and meaningful discussions on topics ranging from creation stories to legal frameworks.

ELC's Dr. Kelsey Leonard was among the attendees, and many highlighted the importance of Indigenous Earth Law and Rights of Nature initiatives. The gathering resulted in a series of informal recommendations, which reflect the diversity and richness of Indigenous knowledge and experience. To learn more about what was discussed and the recommendations made, check out the illustration by graphic recorder and witness Michelle Buchholz. We look forward to continuing to support and amplify Indigenous-led efforts towards marine conservation.

EARTH LAW WORKSHOP

ELC Participates in in the "A Voice for Keystone Species Workshop"

On February 28, 2023, ELC Expert in Environmental Policy and Climate Change, Javier Ruiz, participated in the "A Voice for Keystone Species" workshop in Mexico City. The event was organized by our strategic partners Keystone Species Alliance, the Mexican Academy of International Law, and Senator Indira Kempis.

The workshop aimed to gather environmental experts to discuss the importance of keystone species in protecting Mexico's environment. The experts were invited to provide feedback on a legislative proposal put forth by Keystone Species Alliance.

Vera Urtaza, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Keystone Species Alliance, stressed the need for collective effort in protecting keystone species and raising awareness on the topic. "Our effort to protect keystone species and increase awareness in the subject can only be achieved with your help... especially those who have been protecting Nature for years," she said.

EARTH LAW EDUCATION

Earth Law Center Visits University of Exeter, Cornwall

We are excited to share about our recent visit to the University of Exeter, Cornwall campus on March 9th and 10th. ELC's Alexandra Pimor and Tony Zelle led a workshop with local business leaders and academics on the emergent idea of "Nature on the Board," which is under development with leadership from ELC, Lawyers for Nature, and Faith in Nature, amongst others. We extend our deepest gratitude to ELC intern Lucy Ward, an alum of the University of Exeter, Cornwall, who helped co-develop the workshop and organize the event.

In addition, ELC's Dr. Kelsey Leonard gave the Annual Environment Lecture on "Advancing Protections for Rights of Mother Earth" to a full lecture hall. Our visit concluded with a dinner with students and faculty, leaving us with a keen desire to return to this university by the sea to see Earth Law educational programming grow. We are grateful for the opportunity to engage with and learn from the inspiring community at the University of Exeter, Cornwall.

EARTH LAW ADVOCACY

ELC, Center for Responsible Forestry, and the Olympic Forest Coalition Co-Sponsor a Rally to Protect Washington’s Last Remaining Legacy Forests

On March 5, 2023, over a hundred community members, largely from Port Angeles, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Jamestown S’klallam Tribe, the Lummi Nation, and surrounding areas in the Olympic Peninsula (USA), joined together in a peaceful rally at the Elwha River Observation Area near an active timber harvest site called "Aldwell." Rally participants called on Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz to stop logging in the Elwha River Watershed. ELC has been working on solutions inspired by successful local community forest projects.

Port Angeles resident and Director of Legal Advocacy at the Earth Law Center, said the following about the campaign: 

As the Elwha River comes back to life post-dam removal, it is a source of hope for many - not only in Washington, but around the world – that dismantling structures of colonization can lead to a more balanced relationship with Nature, rooted in reciprocity rather than resource extraction. People are shocked to learn that extractive logging continues in this beloved river valley.

When asked about the importance of protecting the Elwha watershed from logging, Suzanne Simard, bestselling author of Finding the Mother Tree, said the following:

The world is relying on us to protect the forests of the Pacific Rim because of their crucial role in stabilizing climate, supporting biodiversity and maintaining hydrologic integrity. Clearcutting the precious Elwha forests for short-term profits would be a massive blow to the health of current and future generations. We need birds singing, salmon spawning, and food growing more than money in the pockets of a few. The Elwha forests are worth more standing.

The call to action received national media coverage as well as local coverage in the Port Townsend Leader and the Peninsula Daily News.

EARTH LAW CONFERENCE

Conference on an Ecological Civilization and the Rights of Nature

ELC’s Operative Director for Mexico, Claudia Brindis, attended the 3rd Edition of the International Conference ILAS-HUFS HK+ 2023 in Santiago, Chile. The focus of the conference was on ‘Transitioning to an Ecological Civilization through the Rights of Nature and Ecological Economics.” Claudia spoke on her experiences on the rights of rivers and other water sources in Mexico, amongst other campaigns. Representatives at the conference highlighted Claudia’s work on the Rights of Nature in Mexico and globally and shared their own efforts. The outcome of the conference will be made into a book to be available later this year. We are grateful to the event organizers and many collaborators that we met!