This exciting week took place from 17-23 September, during the week of the UN General Assembly. Events were held all over the city by civil society, NGOs, UN bodies and the city of New York. Here you find some highlights:
We joined over 75 000 people in the “March to End Fossil Fules”
It was fun to participate in this peaceful march with friends and people from all over the world, who expressed their love for Mother Earth. With our partners from GARN and ELC we carried the message of “No climate justice without Rights of Nature”.
Photo by GARN
Marine Species & Climate Change
Rights of Mother Earth was a co-host of this event, organized by The Earth Law Center (ELC) at the Marjorie Theatre on 17 September. Rachel Bustamante shared about how important sharks are for the health of marine ecosystems. Petita Ayarza, who is an Indigenous member of parliament in Panama, talked about the proposed Rights of nature law in Panama. Callie Veelenturf of the Leatherback Project, shared about the regional initiative in Panama to conserve a pathway necessary to protect biodiversity of Sea Turtles, Sharks and other keystone species, vital to the maintenance of the rich genetic diversity that sustains local fisheries and sustenance for many species. Learn more here:
Photo by D.Ragettli. From l to r: Callie Veelenturf, Petita Ayarza, Rachel Bustamante.
The Ocean Race Summit at the UN
This event of presenting ocean rights was hosted by The Ocean Race and took place at the UN with many outstanding panelists. One of them was Michelle Bender from the Earth Law Center, who spoke about her work for the rights of the ocean. Nearly two-thirds of the ocean are beyond areas of national jurisdiction, therefore coordinated international action is necessary to protect ocean health, which would also contribute to a stable climate. Find more information here: Declaration of Rights of the Ocean: also watch the video:
Photo by D.Ragettli, slide by 11thHourRacing
Spotting turtles while strolling through central park
A sweet part of our days in New York was the pleasure of taking walks in central park, which was near by the YMCA, where we were staying. One day I spotted a couple of four legged residents of central park enjoying the morning sun. 😊
Actions you can take:
I was also very happy to meet Jose Gualingua from the Sarayaku Indigenous People, who live in the rainforest of Ecuador, whom I had visited many years ago. Please support their important work to protect the rainforest in Ecuador by making a donation here:
And sign and share our petition for a Universal Declaration of Rights of Mother Earth