| Earth Law Monthly Update
October 2022 |
| Dear friends: This month, we highlight progress towards 'Ocean rights' and Ocean-centered governance, ELC's participation in several international events, and giving Nature a voice within companies. Also, if you were unable to attend last month’s ELC gatherings during Climate Week NYC, we compiled a few of the recorded events so you don’t miss out. Thank you, as always, for your support! -Earth Law Center Team |
| | | | Governments & Advocates Meet in New York Towards a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights The Ocean Race, Earth Law Center, and the Governments of Cabo Verde and Monaco hosted a high-level roundtable on Sept. 24th in New York City to boost support for the introduction of a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights in 2023. Over 20 countries and international organizations attended, including Italy, Portugal, France, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Mexico, Palau, Colombia, Seychelles, and Panama, along with key institutions such as the Pew Charitable Trusts. Cabo Verde's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Regional Integration, Rui Alberto de Figueiredo Soares, voiced support for the initiative: Cabo Verde stands ready to advocate for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights that has to be adopted and implemented on a global scale and with the support of policy makers, private sector, scientists, sailors, and other key stakeholders. By 2030 the Declaration should establish a set of rules regarding the protection of the oceans and applicable to all countries in the world. The goal is ambitious but achievable as long as there’s global collaboration at heart. Learn More: |
| | | EARTH LAW MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| Earth Law Center Hosts Series of Events during Climate Week NYC ELC was in the Big Apple during Climate Week NYC hosting a series of events to build the movement towards Earth-Centered law. Below are a few of the events, which you can still check out via Zoom. In total, we had over 500 attendees at our events and made countless new partners–it was a major success! |
| | 1) Reframing Environmental Jurisprudence Towards Interconnection @ Columbia Law School - Hosted by Columbia’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and Earth Law Center
- Featured an all-star panel discussing the future of environmental jurisprudence in light of climate change and biodiversity loss
- Watch the recording here (see video description in the link for more information on the event and panelists)
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| | | 2) Earth Law Virtual Panel: 'What is Earth Law?' @ Cardozo Law - Hosted by the Cardozo Environmental Law Center for Climate Change Law and Earth Law Center
- Lawyers & professors discussed the Rights of Nature and the encompassing field of 'Earth law', both in practice and through the lens of legal education.
- Watch the recording here (see video description in the link for more information on the event and panelists)
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|  | | 3) Earth-Law Mixer with Mission-Aligned Corporations ELC hosted a mixer with businesses and other partners at the 'Upland' restaurant during Climate Week NYC. Speakers from ELC included Board Vice President Brandon Hubbard along with staff members and partners. We focused our remarks on Latin America, Oceans, and corporate governance. Interested in becoming a sponsor of ELC or learning about our corporate Earth law program? Contact info@earthlaw.org. |
|  | | 4) Thought Leadership Dinner on Corporate Governance ELC facilitated a thought leadership dinner on how movements for the rights of Nature and future generations can inform corporate law and governance. Participants including leading civil society groups and corporate lawyers. A huge thank you to Shearman & Sterling for hosting the event and providing food & drinks! |
| | | Board Seat for Nature Created for Company in the UK Last month, the UK natural products company Faith In Nature appointed 'Nature' to its Board of Directors! ELC is proud to have worked on the project with Lawyers for Nature and the law firm Shearman & Sterling, with strategic support from many partners, including Voice for Nature and others. The company has now formally amended its constitution, with the result that Nature is represented on the Board by proxies who are legally bound to speak on behalf of the natural world. We will continue working on this initiative, including by helping give Nature a voice at Faith in Nature and, with partners, advising other interested companies in different jurisdictions. Stay tuned for updates! |
| | EARTH LAW MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| ELC Speaks on Rights of Nature at Oslo International Environmental Law Conference Constanza Prieto Figelist, ELC's Latin American Legal Director, participated in the third Oslo International Environmental Law Conference organized by the World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL) of the IUCN. At the conference, Constanza spoke about emerging, Earth-centered jurisprudence protecting rivers in Latin America, including through enforcement of the Rights of Nature. Constanza also discussed how the work of ELC and partners within legislative bodies and courtrooms helps address biodiversity loss and climate change. |
| | | | New Essay in PLOS Biology: "Living in Relationship with the Ocean to Transform Governance in the UN Ocean Decade" PLOS Biology published a new essay by ELC's Michelle Bender, Rachel Bustamante, and Kelsey Leonard. The essay explores humanity’s relationship with the Ocean and presents Ocean-centered governance as a transformational solution to addressing the UN Ocean Decade challenges. “Shifting our relationship with the Ocean from one of ownership and separateness towards loving interdependence, reciprocity, and reverence can transform Ocean governance,” says the essay. Learn more: |
| | | Gathering of Global Rights of Nature Leaders This month, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) hosted a ‘Global Gathering’ of Rights of Nature advocates and practitioners in Siena, Italy. ELC’s Constanza Prieto Figelist, Myra Jackson, and Kelsey Leonard were in attendance! During the meeting, GARN held a general assembly of its members to discuss its constitution and work plan for the coming years. Participants also co-created an outcome document, The Seed of Siena Declaration. ELC reaffirms its commitment to be part of this global and plural network for the recognition and advancement of the Rights of Nature and other legal, cultural, economic, and social paradigms to protect and restore Nature. |
|  | | | ELC Presents at Sharks International Conference ELC presented virtually at the Sharks International Conference 2022 (SI2022), bringing together a community of shark and ray researchers, communicators, and advocates, with over 280 speakers from over 60 countries. The goal is to address the challenges of elasmobranch (a branch of cartilaginous fish) conservation during the United Nations decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030). Rachel Bustamante represented the Rights of Nature in a poster session on Fisheries and Trade. Following the national recognition of the Rights of Nature (Law 287) in Panama, her talk outlined holistic opportunities to implement Law 287 to address current threats to Sharks and ensure their protection. |
| | | | Win for the Rights of Rivers in Oaxaca, Mexico In March 2020, Carlos Morales, Director of Indigenous Strategic Litigation A.C. (Litigio Estratégico Indígena A.C.), filed an “amparo” lawsuit against the Congress of Oaxaca's water and sanitation commission for its failure to rule on a draft citizens' initiative to recognize the rights to rivers and other water sources. ELC worked on this draft law with Mr. Morales and others. Amparo lawsuits concern constitutional rights. As a result of the lawsuit, last month, the Tenth District Judge of the State of Oaxaca ordered the Oaxaca State Congress to resume its analysis of the proposed law. Now, the Congress of Oaxaca must issue a ruling on the proposed legislation by December. We are hopeful for a favorable outcome. (Read the ruling in Spanish.) Establishing specific provisions for the right of rivers in Oaxaca would give effect to the state constitution's recognition of the Rights of Nature, such as through the establishment of a ‘council of guardians’ for all watersheds in Oaxaca. |
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| ELC's mission is to advance Earth-centered laws and movements for all life on the planet. |
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PO Box 3164
Boulder, Colorado 80307
510-566-1063
info@earthlaw.org |
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