Rights of Nature – Rights of Mother Earth
The ‘rights of nature’ concept recognizes that the natural systems have a right to exist, and that these rights may be superior to the commerce and property rights of humans; unfortunately this concept is only now becoming more widely appreciated.
In 2010, a general, global statement of the rights of nature, the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth, was issued at the World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth. Later that year, Bolivia passed the ‘Law of the Rights of Mother Earth’ [Ley de Derechos de la Madre Tierra], which defines Mother Earth as ‘the dynamic living system made up of indivisible community of all living systems and living beings, interrelated, interdependent and complementary, which share a common destiny…’ and recognizes ‘Mother Earth’ as having rights that are parallel to human rights.
Global Transition Movement
by Joris Rosse — In the absence of common sense and ability to act appropriately in high places, “Think Globally and Act Locally”. Enter Transition towns, cities, valleys, forest regions, and yes whole countries. The following is a very brief summary of … more
Another World Is Possible
by Faramarz Farbod — Can humans rise to the occasion and overcome the challenges facing their societies and the planet? Call me unimaginative but I believe this can come about if as participants in movements for social change we re-embrace the politics … more
CELDF: Why the right to local self-government?
“Building sustainable communities by assisting people to assert their right to local self-government and the rights of nature.” —Mission Statement of the Commmunity Environmental Legal Defense Fund Why this? We believe that we are in the midst of an escalating ecological … more
Ecuador Approves New Constitution: Voters Approve Rights of Nature
FROM: The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund Main Office: 675 Mower Road, Chambersburg PA 17202 West Coast Office: 126 NE Mason Street, Portland OR 97211 CONTACT: Mari Margil, Associate Director, (503) 284-2814, mmargil@celdf.org Ecuador Follows Lead of U.S. Communities: First … more
Social Entrepreneurs
It’s vitally important to realize that while some social ventures can be looked at as a business that happens to have a special type of mission and product or service, others are not market-driven, market-based, or market-financed. In these ventures, traditional business & … more
The End of Capitalism, Part 1
Part 1. Crisis and Opportunity MC: The current financial crisis is clearly a moment of peril for both individuals and the broader system of capitalism. But would it also make sense to see it as a moment of opportunity? AK: … more
The End of Capitalism, Part 2
Capitalism and Ecological Limits MC: Capitalism has faced many moments of crisis over time. Is there something different about the present crisis? What makes the end of capitalism a possibility now? AK: This is such an important question, and it’s … more
The End of Capitalism, Part 3
Social Limits and the Crisis MC: Capitalism has faced many moments of crisis over time. Is there something different about the present crisis? What makes the end of capitalism a possibility now? AK: As I described in the last section, … more
The End of Capitalism, Part 4
Life After Capitalism MC: Moving forward, how would you ideally envision a post-capitalist world? And if capitalism manages to survive (as it has in the past), is there still room for real change? AK: First let me repeat that even … more
Whatever We Do to the Web of Life, We Do to Ourselves
by Jacy Good My environmental journey has been easy. Growing up in the agricultural landscapes of southeastern Pennsylvania, it was nearly impossible not to feel some kind of connection with the earth. I basked in the long hours of summer … more