More than ten years have passed since the Roşia Montană mine development proposed by Roşia Montană Gold Corporation (RMGC) started worrying Romania’s civil society and the public opinion at large. The giant proposal has since its very inception raised a series of problems and risks regarding the environment, the cultural . . . → Read More: Rosia Montana – Not so Golden and certainly not Green]]> By Alexandra Postelnicu, Romania

More than ten years have passed since the Roşia Montană mine development proposed by Roşia Montană Gold Corporation (RMGC) started worrying Romania’s civil society and the public opinion at large. The giant proposal has since its very inception raised a series of problems and risks regarding the environment, the cultural and built heritage, law enforcement and the rule of law, human rights, economics and ethics.

Due to heavy opposition by the majority of the Romanian Civil Society, the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Churches, the Romanian Academy of Sciences, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), more than 1000 scientists from all over the world, artists, tens of thousands of citizens, and also the Hungarian Republic, the project could not start as initially planned. However, the company pressed on, leading to a stalemate that has halted the development of Roşia Montană and it’s surroundings for the last ten years.  During this time the area suffered from lack of development, destruction of many historical buildings, emigration and bankruptcy of several otherwise flourishing local businesses. There has been a constant psychological warfare waged by the mining company on locals in order to make them sell their properties, splitting the community in two sides.

Although court cases were won by the local Alburnus Maior Association against RMGC, the mining company has always managed to obtain alternatives. A good example for the gravity of the situation is the case where the urbanism plans for Roşia Montană were ruled as illegal and thus annulled, but the local and regional authorities re-issued these documents as soon as they were canceled in court, with very little modifications whatsoever. This April, Alburnus Maior, the local opposition group, won again the annulment of the urbanism plans, but is expected that RMGC will get a new one, slightly different. In December 2008 Romania’s Supreme Court passed an unprecedented sentence annulling the archaeological discharge certificate no. 4/2004 issued by the Ministry of Culture and Cults for the Cârnic Massive in Roşia Montană (Cârnic Massive is a key site for the mining project, the whole mountain is going to be removed and exploited as an open pit if the gold mine is approved). As a consequence, the unique Roman and pre-Roman galleries from the Cârnic Massive, as well as the Massive, were kept protected. However, in July 2011 the Ministry of Culture issued a new discharge certificate!

The company has been carrying out a massive media campaign nationwide in the last five years, investing millions of dollars into advertisement in TV, radio, newspaper and digital media. The mining project is being presented as one with great benefits for the society, the local and national economy and with minimal environmental risks. The fake and manipulative nature of RMGC publicity was brought to the attention of The National Audiovisual Council of Romania in several cases, resulting in a few bans. However, their campaign continues, while we try to counter-fight with statements of various institutions and personalities, petitions (the current petition was signed by over 150 000 people), press releases, flash mobs, a yearly festival held in Roşia Montană and by constantly sharing the news with friends.

The company, backed by leading politicians now tries to change the mining law for their own benefit. Under the new provisions, private investors who obtain a license for exploitation would also gain the right to expropriate the concerned properties in the name of the Romanian state. According to the current Romanian legislation, the holder of a license does not have this right, only the Romanian state can expropriate property. The proposed provision would clear the way for abuse by private companies which happen to hold operating licenses in Romania. The proposal nr. PL-x. 549/2009 to modify law nr. 85/2003, initiated by Toni Greblă (PSD) și Ion Ruşeţ (PDL) senators, successfully passed the upper house of the Parliament, while the Camera Deputaţilor (the lower house) is expected to hold the final vote. For the time being any discussion about the new law was postponed, but it remains a constant threat for Rosia Montana and other mining projects in Romania, as it would enable an EU member country to undermine democracy for the sake of private interests. The amendment of Romania’s mining law would empower private companies to expropriate private landowners in the name of the Romanian state. We believe that if voted, the new law of mines would disregard the fundamental right to private property, guaranteed by the Romanian Constitution and the entire legal system in place, the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

This project would not only disregard the fundamental right to property, the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, but also the Inherent Rights of Mother Earth. For example

(a)  the right to life and to exist, the right to be respected, the right to regenerate its bio-capacity and to continue its vital cycles and processes free from human disruptions   à The four mountains which to this day still embrace the village of Rosia Montana are scheduled to be blown up in the air for surface exploitation leaving behind gigantic craters on a surface area of 200 hectares.  All in the entire project footprint comprises 1258 hectares of which 235 hectares will require deforestation.

(b)   the right to be free from contamination, pollution and toxic or radioactive waste à During the 15 years of exploitation 215 million tons of rock will be exploited and processed with approximately 200.000 tons of cyanide(!). At this very moment 1.000 tons of sodium cyanide is used per year in the EU’s entire mining sector. At Rosia Montana RMGC proposes to use 13.000 tons of sodium cyanide per year! However, in May 2010 the European Parliament adopted by an overwhelming majority a resolution to ban the use of cyanide in mining.   In addition to cyanide the mining waste will also contain heavy metals and sulphur. During the operation roughly 200 million tons of such waste will be generated and dumped into a valley. This waste which looks like a lake or pond will cover a surface area of 360 hectares and will be held back by rock dam 180 meters high. The valley that will be transformed into a waste pond will be unlined meaning that the waste will be dumped straight onto the surface. Waste deposited in such a manner increase the risk of surface and ground water pollution and air pollution. The dam and the toxic waste will persist for centuries and in the event of a spill the pollution could be catastrophic. The valley where the waste pond is to be situated is called Corna Valley and consists of inhabited houses, several churches, cemeteries and is home to people who live and who look towards the future firmly rooted in this valley. These people would need to be expropriated to make way for the mine.

If Rosia Montana would have the right to full and prompt restoration the violation of the rights recognized in this Declaration caused by human activities, the project would not happen.  Each person has the right to a place and to play its role in Mother Earth for her harmonious functioning. It is up to the civil society to stand up, and put pressure against the gold mine.

We need to recognize that the capitalist current system and all forms of depredation, exploitation, abuse and contamination have caused great destruction, degradation and disruption at Rosia Montana, putting life as we know it today at risk. We need to create a model for  GREEN DEVELOPMENT which is much broader than the concept of a green economy. Green development incorporates economic aspects (green economy), social aspects and ecological/land use aspects in a fully synergistic manner respectful of the interplay between the different aspects.

DEADLINE SUNDAY APRIL 29 … PLEASE ACT . . . → Read More: Immediate Action – Email support of Rights of Mother Earth to anil@canadians.org]]> The Rights of Mother Earth Signature Campaign invites you to add your voice to ours in requesting that the UN Member States work vigorously to retain and expand the sections on the Rights of Mother Earth and Harmony with Nature in the formal Rio+20 Earth Summit agreement.

DEADLINE SUNDAY APRIL 29 … PLEASE ACT NOW!!!

The following is our letter:

Anil Naidoo and Council of Canadians,

On behalf of the Rights of Mother Earth Signature Campaign and the more than 100,000 signatories and rapidly expanding constituents of our campaign, I declare our support of your letter to the UN Member States requesting that all UN Member States work vigorously to retain and expand the sections on the Rights of Mother Earth and Harmony with Nature.  We affirm that Rights of Mother Earth is the foundation for The Future We Want and truly sustainable development.  Our campaign is a growing demonstration of the broad base global grassroots support among Civil Society for support for Rights of Nature, Rights of Mother.

Thank you for this strategic move and for your active partnership in advocating Rights of Mother Earth and Harmony with Nature.

Dear Ambassador,

We, the undersigned representatives of civil society organizations and social movements,

Encouraged by the vision of the G77 to include the concept of Mother Earth in the Rio+20 negotiations,

Commend this step as a sign of commitment to a just and sustainable future for people, all species and for our Mother Earth,

Request that all UN Member States work vigorously to retain and expand the sections on the Rights of Mother Earth and Harmony with Nature,

Ambassador, Rio+20 is the moment to define ‘The Future We Want’ and that future must include the Rights of Mother Earth as well as safeguards for people and nature, especially in the context of an ill-defined Green Economy.

We therefore call upon you to continue to respect your obligations to Human Rights, the Rio Principles, Equity and to support further efforts to defend Mother Earth!

Signed,

In solidarity,

Robin R. Milam and the Rights of Mother Earth Signature Campaign

I believe that our respectful connection to nature from a place of deep heart will provide us with the primordial roots that are essential to our waking up . . . → Read More: Human beings are only one tiny strand in this sacred circle of life]]> Rights of Nature are important to me because I realize that we as human beings are only one tiny strand in this sacred circle of life!

I believe that our respectful connection to nature from a place of deep heart will provide us with the primordial roots that are essential to our waking up to the consciousness, the energy, the determination, the passion, and the innate creative genius that is necessary to create a new story of how we live on planet Earth. Respecting, honoring, and acknowledging the Rights of Nature is a positive, though humble, beginning to a new consciousness.

As we join together in collectively searching for the creative responses to our many global problems that protect, honor, celebrate healthy, sustainable life, this is an important step in our evolution of consciousness. It is imperative, in this very sacred time of being alive, that we learn to cherish our Earth and all of her life forms and life support systems, knowing and acknowledging that our very future is hanging in the balance.

In peace and gratitude,

Sherry Gingras Briarcliff, Texas

We are intrinsically interconnected with the beautiful, immeasurably precious life and natural processes of our amazing planet. How can we do anything other than treasure and protect its/our continued unfolding in thriving beauty? We are completely deluded if we think we can convert all life to consumer products, . . . → Read More: We are intrinsically interconnected]]> Ms. Michele de la Rosa, CA

We are intrinsically interconnected with the beautiful, immeasurably precious life and natural processes of our amazing planet. How can we do anything other than treasure and protect its/our continued unfolding in thriving beauty? We are completely deluded if we think we can convert all life to consumer products, throw it “away” (as if there were anything such thing as “away”) and have any possible hope for physical, mental or spiritual health and wellbeing. If we could possibly survive the physical degradation of our bodies and all bodies of the Earth, including hers, we would surely die of grief.

Humans are a part of NATURE. Therefore if we do not respect and work within NATURE like all other beings do, by not respecting Mother Earth, we are not respecting ourselves and we are not living to our true potential. The last few centuries Human have continued to remove themselves . . . → Read More: Humans are a part of NATURE]]> Ms. Lucia Cafarella, Australia

Humans are a part of NATURE. Therefore if we do not respect and work within NATURE like all other beings do, by not respecting Mother Earth, we are not respecting ourselves and we are not living to our true potential. The last few centuries Human have continued to remove themselves further and further away from knowing ourselves to be part of nature, but have instead thought of ourselves as a separate entity, outside the realms of the natural world. The increase in technology has increased this separation dramatically in recent years, however the technology we gain every day is the exact thing that could fix this disconnect and allow Humans to return to their rightful place within the eco-system of this planet while still evolving to much bigger and better things, beyond all the petty dark age mentalities that still control our day to day existences. In the end the Earth will be fine; we will be the ones that are nothing but a distance sound on the wind of history if we don’t take a completely new step with REAL ACTION (not some money making Carbon Trading Scheme) for the future of our race as a WHOLE… right now. This is the reason the RIGHT OF NATURE should be supported… Thank you.

The birth of the Occupy movement stirs sleepy nations Crying out for environmental, social and economic liberations While the G20 summit is in the red zone to resolve the Eurozone - Greece, Italy and Spain are zoned out in deprivation While governments search for a deficit . . . → Read More: Occupy for Nature’s Right]]> By Irene Schleining
Whale of a Time
Irene@whaleofatime.org

The birth of the Occupy movement stirs sleepy nations
Crying out for environmental, social and economic liberations
While the G20 summit is in the red zone to resolve the Eurozone -
Greece, Italy and Spain are zoned out in deprivation
While governments search for a deficit cure
Budgets are cut for society’s poor
While climate change in Durban struggles to find an ear
Farmers are struggling to keep crops alive amid droughts in fear
While the Occupy Movement is expanding to all lands
People are joining in global conversation to take matters in their own hands.

With the Occupy Agenda seeking referenda with some extra time
Ideas issued in the “Bank of Ideas” are paving the way for a new paradigm
The campaign against the injustices of the global financial system calls for “an end to tax havens and tax avoidance”
The small tax payer is looking for condolence
“More transparency over business lobbying”, no more space for bargaining!
Clear calls to prosecute executives, a legal reform, that should be the norm
Our fundamental message is that we are all affected. We’re all connected – Entangled in the web of life
Stand up for justice in our fight!
Occupy for Nature’s Right!

For complete poem visit: Have a Whale of a Time blog post for February 2012

A premier “mindstyle” magazine presents our Rights of Mother Earth Signature campaign in the latest issue!

Visit Happinez at http://www.happinez.nl/

In conjunction with COP17 – Durban, South Africa

VENUE: Shepstone 1, Howard College, UKZN (with support from the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and National . . . → Read More: Pablo Solon – Rights of Nature and Climate Politics at COP17, Durban South Africa]]> The Harold Wolpe Lecture

At the UKZN Centre for Civil Society

Presents

Pablo Solón

Rights of Nature and Climate Politics

Friday, 2 December, 5-7pm

In conjunction with COP17 – Durban, South Africa

VENUE: Shepstone 1, Howard College, UKZN
(with support from the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and National Lottery)

Pablo Solón is the former Bolivian Ambassador to the United Nations, and prior to taking on various diplomatic postings with the Morales government in 2006, he was an activist with social change movements based in La Paz. As UN Ambassador, Solón spearheaded successful resolutions on the Human Right to Water, International Mother Earth Day, Harmony with Nature and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He helped initiate the World People’s Conference on Climate Change in Cochabamba in April 2010, and in December was the sole voice of conscience opposing US and EU domination of the COP16 in Cancun.

CCS contact:
031 260 3195 or
poonenh@ukzn.ac.za

One Day on Earth, Rights of Nature, Quito, Ecuador from Doris Ragettli on Vimeo.

BALANCE Edutainment/Pacha’s Pajamas introduced the Bioneers session with . . . → Read More: Call for Rights of Mother Earth among Youth at Bioneers 2011]]> On Sunday afternoon,  Kylie Nicole-Nealis of Global Exchange and Robin Milam of the Global Alliance for Rights of Nature invited Youth at Bioneers to join our campaign and take a stand for Rights of Mother Earth.  Thanks to Balance Edutainment/Pacha’s Pajamas for the video …

BALANCE Edutainment/Pacha’s Pajamas introduced the Bioneers session with the moving story of a young girl with big dreams for restoring balance to our planet.  Kylie Nicole-Nealis of Global Exchange presented the case for Rights of Nature.

Click for the touching story of Pacha’s Pajamas!

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 4-6, 2012 – 20 years after the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development . . . → Read More: UN asking people to post Messages of the World for Rio+20]]> Momentum is clearly building for Rio+20. I encourage you to add a 140 character message advocating Rights of Nature. The small things add up one voice at a time!

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 4-6, 2012 – 20 years after the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development – people from all over the world will gather and discuss how to best manage our common future in a sustainable and lasting way. What message would you like to echo to the world? Let us know! Either write your own message, or agree on any of the already published messages below. It’s easy – just click on the message and follow the instructions. Remember – the strength are in the numbers! The biggest messages are the most agreed upon. Maybe your idea will catch on?

You can either Add Message or Agree on a Message

For more information go to: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&type=12&nr=266&menu=14#upload

6 October 6 2011 – ALBINO (Bergamo) at 9pm

The Forests, and the Future of Nature

Clicca per leggere in italiano

An old Indian chief said, everything you do to the Earth, you do it yourself. The “climate change” relative to . . . → Read More: Bergamo Scienza Conference on the Rights of Nature]]> Bergamo Scienza (www.bergamoscienza.it)

6 October 6 2011 – ALBINO (Bergamo) at 9pm

The Forests, and the Future of Nature

Clicca per leggere in italiano

An old Indian chief said, everything you do to the Earth, you do it yourself. The “climate change” relative to the choices about our role in Nature, should start from new forms of thought. The fathers of the new vision of nature and ecology have been writers like Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman, thinkers such as Aldo Leopold, John Muir, founder of the world’s first national park in the USA. An evolutionary line that led the lawyer Cormac Cullinan who coined the title of his book-manifesto Wild Law, by which the debate has moved even on legal grounds, the wild Laws are those designed to balance the rights and responsibilities of the human race in front of the other members of the community land: plants, animals, rivers, ecosystems, etc.

In 2010 came the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth, away from an anthropocentric view, our century will be the recognition of the true hierarchy of the planet and the species will really blend in to provide vital resources for future generations. This is also part of a widespread non political movement and Author, and traveller Davide Sapienza (recently awarded of Pigna D’Argento 2011 prize as best emerging writer of the last decade for travel, nature, and adventure) after writing an essay titled The Future of Nature a while back (inspired by the Orion Magazine book of the same title), has invited a fellow writer and journalist to “use” 2011, the International Year of Forests, as a starting point to deliver a speech about The Rights of Nature.

In Italy, where environmental crimes provide only administrative penalties, in the last decade has increased exponentially in a quiet and moderate movement that is widely recognized “rights to nature,” despite the policy choices that go in the opposite direction, and the absence of overall shared vision.

DAVIDE SAPIENZA www.davidesapienza.net

writer, journalist with

STEFANO ARDITO – journalist.

Italiano

FORESTE: IL FUTURO DELLA NATURA

Davide Sapienza e Stefano Ardito sui “Diritti della Natura”

Un antico capo pellerossa diceva: tutto quello che fai alla Terra, lo fai a te stesso. Il “cambiamento climatico” circa le scelte relative al nostro ruolo nella Natura, dovrebbe partire da nuove forme di pensiero. I padri della nuova visione naturale e dell’ecologia sono stati scrittori come Henry David Thoreau e Walt Whitman, pensatori come Aldo Leopold, e John Muir, fondatore del primo parco nazionale al mondo in USA. Una linea evolutiva che ha portato Cormac Cullinan, avvocato sudafricano, a coniare il titolo del suo libro-manifesto (ripubblicato nel 2011) Wild Law. Questo libro, e la definizione di una possibile giurisprudenza con l’anima, ha continuato un dibattito partito negli anni settanta con il libro di Christopher Stone, Should Trees Have Standings? Studi legali dediti ai diritti dell’ambiente e autori come questi hanno spostato il dibattitoanche sul terreno giuridico: le wild laws sono quelle pensate per regolare la partecipazione umana all’interno di una comunità più grande – la Terra. Queste leggi cercano di bilanciare i diritti e le responsabilità della razza umana di fronte a quelli degli altri componenti di questa comunità che costituisce La Terra: piante, animali, fiumi, ecosistemi etc etc etc.

Nel 2008, grazie all’azione del CELDF, uno studio legale americano che dedica il proprio lavoro alle questioni ambientali, è stato studiato un rivoluzionario codice che, con un referendum, il popolo dell’Ecuador ha fatto inserire nella propria costituzione. Nel 2010, è nata la Dichiarazione Universale dei Diritti della Madre Terra, e il 20 aprile 2011 gli esponenti di questo movimento internazionale hanno parlato davanti all’Assemblea Generale delle Nazioni Unite.

Il nostro sarà il secolo del riconoscimento della gerarchia del Pianeta, dove la Terra viene prima di ogni altra considerazione: le specie viventi dovranno trovare un modo di armonizzarsi. Dovremo uscire dalla visione antropocentrica, quella che Cullinan chiama la Omosfera, per arrivare alla maturità della razza umana, affrontando decisamente la questione legata alle legislazioni, che dovranno riconoscere negli “oggetti” della Natura delle “persone” giuridiche. Anche i bambini, le donne, gli afroamericani e tanti altri esseri umani, un tempo, non erano altro che “oggetti” giuridici e non “soggetti”.

Davide Sapienza (www.davidesapienza.net) è lo scrittore italiano che più è vicino a questo pensiero: da I Diari di Rubha Hunish a La strada era l’acqua, La musica della neve, La valle di Ognidove ai saggi come Il futuro della Natura, il suo lavoro si estende sino ai reportage di viaggio e di inchiesta sull’ambiente in diversi luoghi del mondo, soprattutto nell’Artico, in Canada e in Norveiga. A lui la Tv Svizzera Italiana, per sottolineare questo aspetto, ha dedicato un documentario. Vive in montagna, e crede nel lavoro sulla e con la Terra: per questo opera con camminate letterarie e incontri in ambiente.

Stefano Ardito, giornalista, è da decenni in prima linea per far conoscere e rispettare ambienti importanti (fondamentale il suo lavoro nella regione-laboratorio della Natura, l’Abruzzo), ha scritto molte guide, riflessioni, tenuto conferenze, e ama andare sul terreno, per capire come armonizzare il pensiero alle proposte che tengano conto dei diritti della Natura.

Un articolo su I DIRITTI DELLA NATURA di Davide Sapienza: http://scriviapenelope.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/i-diritti-della-natura

The following message was posted on our Value Nature as Living Being petition site:

Man did not create the . . . → Read More: Man did not create the Web of Life, he is just one strand in it.]]> “Man did not weave the web of life – he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
Chief Seattle, 1854.

The following message was posted on our Value Nature as Living Being petition site:

Man did not create the Web of Life, he is just one strand in it. What we do to the Web, we do to ourselves. All things are related.

Man cannot create one blade of grass nor one drop of water; Our Mother Earth does these for us.

We do not rule this planet, we are subject to it; it would be intelligent to remember that. We must be stewards, we must control our numbers, we must not unbalance the very fine parameters that allow animal and plant life to survive on the only blue planet in our Universe.

Without the soil there will be no plants, without plants there will be no animals (that’s us). Without land we have nowhere to live for we cannot swim in sea water forever, nor drink it.

We are like a snake that eats its own tail…..sooner or later there will be no snake left! Earth has rights – sacred rights going back millennia.

Once we lived respecting the harsh realities of her rule and we were no threat to her sustainability. We have lost that respect, that intelligence, that wisdom. We have great knowledge but very little wisdom.

Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should!

If Mankind has rights, (and we have given them to ourselves) then the Earth that sustains us and without which we would not exist, must also have the same and greater rights. Otherwise, we should have none either. Accept our place in the Web of Life or be cut from it.

Anonymous, United Kingdom

Special Bonus: . . . → Read More: Rights of Nature Seminar in Bay Area – Sept 30-Oct 1]]> The Women’s Earth and Climate Caucus is now proud to offer a series of seminars and trainings in building Resilient Community. We would love to have you join us. The first seminar is on Rights of Nature on Sept 30th and Oct 1st, 2011. Please learn more and register here http://www.worldforum.org/rc.html .

Special Bonus: On Sept. 7th at 5:00 PST there will be a free one-hour tele-course about Rights of Nature to provide an overview of the upcoming seminar/training and will be hosted by the Executive Director of Transition US, Carolyne Stayton. For the one-hour telecourse, register here http://www.transitionus.org/event/women-earth-and-climate-caucus-three-part-series

Part 1: Education from the front lines locally and globally

Part 2: Creating a new Earth-honoring narrative.

Starts Friday evening September 30th. 7:00pm -9:30pm continues October 1st 10:00am-5:00pm

Location: Corte Madera Community Room in Marin County in the office building at

770 Tamalpais Drive, Suite 201. Corte Madera, CA

Course fee: $55.00

In this dynamic seminar we will learn about the historic 2008 event when Ecuador became the first country to include Rights of Nature in its national constitution and then cover movements since then in Bolivia and here in the U.S. as Rights of Nature takes hold as an idea whose time has come. Rights of Nature laws create a right to legal standing, such that people, communities, Indigenous peoples, non-profit environmental organizations, and others would have standing to protect the environment. Climate activists have long been seeking a tool, which would enable communities affected by climate change to gain recognition for the harms done not just to human interests around the globe, but also to environmental ones. We come together with a common interest to actively advance the creation of human communities that respect the Rights of Nature. We will also explore how Rights of Nature invigorates momentum for a new cultural narrative that honors our living Earth. Join us and step into this historical moment!

This course will include:

What are Rights of Nature?

What is happening in the local/ global movement for Rights of Nature?

How can we change our cultural narrative to create an Earth-honoring society?

Instructors:

Shannon Biggs is the Director of the Community Rights program at Global Exchange. She recently co-authored a book, Building the Green Economy: Success Stories from the Grass Roots (PoliPoint Press). Her current work focuses on assisting communities confronted by corporate harms to enact binding laws that place the rights of communities and nature above the claimed legal “rights” of corporations.

Osprey Orielle Lake is a lifelong advocate of environmental justice and societal transformation. She is the director of the Women’s Earth and Climate Caucus (WECC) and on the Board of Praxis Peace Institute. Her book, Uprisings for the Earth: Reconnecting Culture with Nature,(White Cloud Press) is a 2011 Nautilus Book Award winner. In December 2010, she initiated Rights of Nature into the framework of WECC’s working groups and is a member of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.

Justice for the Earth Community: Defending the Rights of Nature and holding Corporations to Account

Monday 26th September 6.30pm – 7.30pm food and wine at Gaia House 7.30pm – . . . → Read More: Nnimmo Bassey, Defending the Rights of Nature and holding Corporations to Account]]> An Evening with Nnimmo Bassey, Head of FoEI and winner of the Right Livelihood Award 2011. Monday 26^th September. Posted by Gaia Foundation, London,

Justice for the Earth Community: Defending the Rights of Nature and holding Corporations to Account

Monday 26th September
6.30pm – 7.30pm food and wine at Gaia House
7.30pm – 9.30pm talk and Q&A at Burgh House, Hampstead.

Nnimmo will talk about the Rights of Nature and corporate responsibility campaigns in relation to cases in Ecuador and Nigeria.

In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon disaster off the Gulf of Mexico saw over 4 million gallons of oil leak into the sea. It was the worst oil spill in American history and one of the worst spills the planet has ever seen. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their livelihoods and the devastation caused to marine life is unfathomable.

On 26th November last year, a coalition of environmental organisations and indigenous activists – led by Nnimmo Bassey and Vandana Shiva – filed a precedent setting case in the Constitutional Court of Ecuador against British Petroleum (BP). They accused BP of violating the Rights of Nature. The Ecuadorian Constitution was the first in the world to recognise the Rights of Nature (or ‘Pachamama’) and to state that humans have a legal obligation to ‘maintain and regenerate Earth’s vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution’.

He will also explore why this strategy is necessary and is part of a bigger shift required in society today. A shift that will require that laws and policies comply with the laws of the Earth, and a way of living which maintains the health and integrity of the whole Earth Community.

Nnimmo will also be sharing a small selection of poems from his new book “I will Not Dance to Your Beat”.

Cost: £12 full price, £8 concessions. Price includes wine and light buffet. Please Book online to reserve a place, or contact Rowan@gaianet.org.

More about Nnimmo

Nnimmo Bassey is a Nigerian environmental activist and poet, and head of Friends of the Earth International. In 2010 Nnimmo received of the Right Livelihood Award (alternative Nobel Peace Prize) and featured in Time Magazines ‘Heroes of the Environment’ in 2009.

http://www.gaiafoundation.org/content/defending-rights-nature-and-holding-corporations-account

Many of my age (I´m 66 years old) have seen many disasters as . . . → Read More: To the powers that be, we are destroying our planet]]> I request to the powers that be, to understand that we are destroying our planet. That we must avoid everything that contaminates and might be a source of ecological damage, like nuclear reactors and weapons that people use against other people.

Many of my age (I´m 66 years old) have seen many disasters as the atomic bomb, Chernobyl, tsunamis, etc.

Alternative energies, such as wind, water and solar power should be used.

We are more than 7.000.000. millions inhabitants and many more to be … We are running short of water, food, etc. In many countries, included Argentina, desnutrition rates are unbarable.

We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that affect the ozone layer.

Let´s remember that Mother Earth, as a living being, knows that we are attacking her and she knows how to defend herself. Just have a look at the natural disasters happenig around the world. No country will be able to avoid Apocalypses.

Not only animals and plants that are in extinction are going to disappear, but also human beings.

Therefore these is more than a petition, it is an order to change our habits.

I am thinking not only in myself, but in all my descendants and generations to come.

It scares me to think in the planet we are leaving them.”

JDL
Argentina

Many of my age (I´m 66 years old) have seen many disasters as . . . → Read More: Remember Mother Earth, a living being, knows we are attacking her]]> I request to the powers that be, to understand that we are destroying our planet. That we must avoid everything that contaminates and might be a source of ecological damage, like nuclear reactors and weapons that people use against other people.

Many of my age (I´m 66 years old) have seen many disasters as the atomic bomb, Chernobyl, tsunamis, etc.

Alternative energies, such as wind, water and solar power should be used.

We are more than 7.000.000. millions inhabitants and many more to be … We are running short of water, food, etc. In many countries, included Argentina, desnutrition rates are unbarable.

We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that affect the ozone layer.

Let´s remember that Mother Earth, as a living being, knows that we are attacking her and she knows how to defend herself. Just have a look at the natural disasters happenig around the world. No country will be able to avoid Apocalypses.

Not only animals and plants that are in extinction are going to disappear, but also human beings.

Therefore these is more than a petition, it is an order to change our habits.

I am thinking not only in myself, but in all my descendants and generations to come.

It scares me to think in the planet we are leaving them.”

JDL
Argentina