Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Right to Earth Rights

I declare Earth Rights.

Some would say it's a stretch to give rights to inanimate objects.
But others would say that the land, rivers, rocks, are not inanimate but alive.
If the definition of life can be stretched to eco-systems that have elements that interact,
and that living beings' lives depend on these eco-systems,
could not one defend the Right to Earth Rights?

There is movement in this direction.
In 2008, Ecuador voted in a new constitution which included rights
to Ecuador's forests, islands, rivers, and air.
In 2012, in New Zealand, the indigeous Iwi tribe has made sure that their
beloved Whanganui River has gained "personhood."
All actions that relate to this river will consider the best interests of the river.

Bolivia has been an inspiration for Earth Rights.
Bolivia's President Evo Morales, the first indigenous leader of Bolivia, 
created the Law of Mother Earth in 2011. 
The law provides a definition for Earth:
 "a unique, indivisible, self-regulating community of interrelated beings that 
sustains, contains and reproduces all beings."
The law's first article states that humans must
 "achieve dynamic balance with the cycles and processes inherent in Mother Earth."
This law also includes the Right to Water and the Right to Air 
as two of its seven points.
purple flowers in Utah, United States

In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed April 22 
as International Mother Earth Day.

This concept is so new,
that one could say these actions are only the beginning,
seeds that may sprout in 100 years.



57 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that this Right should be upheld by all nations. And as stated in the Law of the Rights of Mother Earth; it is an "a collective subject of public interest." If we don't take care of the earth soon we won't be able to live on it. But over all the earth is a living eco-system and it deserves the right to live.

ATM

Anonymous said...

This right is very much similar to the philosophy of Deep ecology. Earth is our home, so why not take care of it.

JPK

Anonymous said...

We are nothing without the Earth.

ARBA

Anonymous said...

Earth contains all the ingredients and environmental necessities for life. This is why we must stand for Earth rights. SM

Anonymous said...

When I read this right, one quote came to mind. "If we can't protect the Earth, you can be damned well sure we'll avenge it" from The Avengers. Where would we be without the earth and how can we continue if all we do is take from it and destroy it? One day there will have to be people who stand up and protect our earth, I am glad to see that step are being made to prepare for that day.

Mercy

Anonymous said...

I believe it's are responsibility to provide a balance of take and give with the earth. I do not think it is necessary to name a rock or hug a tree.

Anonymous said...

MAR III

Anonymous said...

We are part of the earth, so we have the right to use all the components to be alive. Think about. How can you buy or sell the air? MCC

AGoddess said...

@MCC We can buy air. It's called air rights. Some building buy "air rights" so no one can build higher than them, and so no one blocks their great view. Thought you should know

We live on, we eat from, and we even take from Earth. We should be giving back to Earth as well. How? We should be protect Earth.

Anonymous said...

The Earth is the mother of nature, all the Nations of the world must legislate, in order to protect all and each of the spaces of the earth so that humans can live it and enjoy your treasures.DAM

Anonymous said...

I absolutely believe in the Right to Earth Rights. If we do not take care of our earth now, then we are destroying our future, and our kid’s futures. We have to start now, so that the following generations will WANT to treat our planet better. We should all have fresh air and clean water. Everyone and everything will benefit if we worked together in changing our ways toward our world. HL

Anonymous said...

More countries should include rights in their constitutions in favor of the Earth. Forests, islands, rivers have a tremendous importance in our lives. We most protect those ecosystems, and every generation is responsible to teach the next one how to do it.
HA

Anonymous said...

I believe it is our responsibility to help protect and preserve the earth. We inhabit the earth, and the earth provides us with many things. So it would just be right to take care of it. AVJ

Anonymous said...

Preserving our surroundings and mother Earth will only help us survive. Humans have only taken from the ecosystem without measure and there will be consequences associated. The Right to Earth Rights should be the fundamental of our core values and we should all be inspired to help protect our planet. COCO.

Anonymous said...

I agree we should give back, what we have taken away from Mother Earth. Our Earth as such rights as we do. Approximately 113 countries are forming a Global Alliance for rights of Nature. Here is a really interesting link. http://www.rightsofmotherearth.com/

SAMROG

Anonymous said...

It is sad to say this, but we are our own worst enemy. We humans auto destroy the earth and ourselves with our actions. Our disregard for anything or anyone outside of ourselves is rampant. Earth is our home, which should want to live in a clean and well-kept home. EL

Anonymous said...

Appreciation and respect is all we need. Knowing the Earth and nature provides our lives with everything we need, is enough to WANT to keep Mother Earth the best possible. LO

Anonymous said...

Without life we cannot live, without air we cannot breathe and without earth, Who are we? -SA

Anonymous said...

We must be aware of how much the earth needs us. We should appreciate more the natural resources the earth provides for us. Our only mission is to protect and save the earth, our beautiful home.
Apple

Anonymous said...

The Earth is a living thing, just like humans are. In order for anything on Earth to live we must take care off all living things, which are all conected. JA

Anonymous said...

Without the earth and all of its ingrediants none of us would exist at this moment. Taking care of this planet will not only benifit this generation but the many more to come. -GPC

Anonymous said...

We must defend our eco-system because without it there will be no us. ANC

Anonymous said...

I support this blog. Personally I believe that the Earth should be given recognition and respect. After all we are the ones that need it, it doesnt need us, yet it still cares for us everyday. LMI

Anonymous said...

I agree with the comment of SA.There is no life without earth,by neglecting the planet we are actually harming ourselves.That is why,we must educate our next generation to make sure they do not repeat the same mistakes we did. LC

Anonymous said...

I agree with ATM. The right to Earth Rights should be upheld by all nations. The Earth is beautiful and is our home. Just remember, If we do not take care of it, we are putting our lives at risk. CPO.

Anonymous said...

We can't live without the Earth, so we need to take care of it. We would be nonexistent if we didn't have air or water. These are all things that we must cherish and take better care of. ECZ

Anonymous said...

This idea is brilliant. We should take care of our environment, and do all we can to protect it. BG

Anonymous said...

We take care of our homes because there is where we reside. We want our residence to be as pleasant as possible; we paint them, decorate them, and even buy air fresheners to have them smell nice. Why can we do the same with our universal home environment? If we all treat earth the way we maintain our houses, our children could then inherit it on our will, they would have a nice place to live.

GS

Anonymous said...

Earth Rights is indeed very important. The Earth and everything in it are connected. Everything on Earth is dependent of something in order to live on whether it’s an animate or inanimate object. Without the Earth humans wouldn’t exist. The Earth provides us with everything we need to survive and many people don’t even respect that. People pollute the air, land, and water. We litter everywhere possible and we damage our own ecosystems with construction. Just like we have the right to live and survive, the Earth should have its rights as well because without it we don’t exist.

JB

Anonymous said...

I am glad to see people coming together to preserve our Earth Rights. Due to human development plants, rivers, and land get destroyed. The same as life, every breath we take is one breath closer to death. Is it ironic? JPA

Anonymous said...

The right to earth rights is a right that is deep of thought and soul. Not many people would take this serious, and would laugh in the face of it. I believe every natural thing in the world is alive. They all serve or served a purpose wether its a rock, or an ocean, it deserves to be respected. I think that yes, these actions are just beginning, but it is up to us to not let future generations fall.

DBP

Anonymous said...

This right should be spread throughout the world. We have to keep our planet healthy so that future generation can enjoy everything it has to offer. We already lost a lot over the years, so why not try to keep what we have left. CMH

Anonymous said...

Humans are the most invasive and destructive species on Earth. We have some how made our selves leaders of this planet, yet we are doing close to nothing to protect it. Earth Rights need to be restored once again!

JA23

Anonymous said...

It's true, our planet is a self-regulating ecosystem that may prosper exponentially on its own. But as inhabitants of this planet, we have the responsibility to take care of the world we live in. Instead of ignorance, lets practice conservation of the beautiful planet we live on.

Anonymous said...

BB^^

Anonymous said...

I try the best I can to be there for the people who need me. One of the best forms of compassion is to be supportive. Sometimes people need to see that there are others out there that care about them. People need compassion the most when they are going through dark times, and that is when I try to be there for them. ECZ

Anonymous said...

How not take care of Earth? Mother Earth provides us with what is necessary to survive. From the air we breathe to the water we need. Earth is the mother of all people. With that said, all people should have equal rights upon it.
MR

Anonymous said...

As we humans develop a wiser and expanded perception of the world, we also need to create and define better ways to protect our planet's well being.

MariaJR

Anonymous said...

We are stewards of the earth so we should take care of it.The earth is our home so the natural resources should not be exploited! .

Anonymous said...

Of course this is our right, without Earth there is nothing. Everyone should have a law protecting the Earth. Earth is a gift that must be saved for generations to come. -KDP

Anonymous said...

Without the earth we would probably not exist, so why not protect our source of living. We all should do our best to protect the right to the Earth!

-JA

Anonymous said...

The relationship between humans and the Earth is give and take. We consume the Earth and when we die the Earth consumes us. So when we take more than the Earth can produce everyone leaves empty handed. ~LLSE

Anonymous said...

We should have the right to Earth. It is up to us to keep the Earth living instead of killing it by destroying its forest and natural resources that help it survive. The U.S should have a law that can make the people protect the Earth. (D.R)

Anonymous said...

In a perfect world, we wouldn't have the necessity to declare the right to earth rights; respect for other people and living beings will be inherent in us.
Unfortunately, this is not the case and we are far from a perfect world.
MS

Anonymous said...

Law for Earth? Bolivia?Morales?Please a person that believe a plant of cocaine can save the world cant be serious abou this,on top of this one of his friends is China, the bigger contaminant.It sound pretty but lack of compromise.
RC

Anonymous said...

I agree with COCO,LMI,BG and a few others. Earth is unique and has provided everything we need to live; taking care of it is like caring for our children or our self.
Glad to see humanity together is taking a step forward.
JDF

Anonymous said...

I agree with MS's comment. The right to care for Earth would ideally be inherent in us. Our excessive need for consumption is the direct cause for a myriad of environmental issues like deforestation, greenhouse gas changes, and extinctions or the endangerment of many species. Implementing a Right like this could not come sooner! We must change our habits very soon, not so much for the outcome of our Earth, she will still be here even if we strip her dry, but for the sake of the biology and ecosystems that call this unique blue pearl their home.

-AMH19

Anonymous said...

It is unfortunate that for such a self-proclaimed advanced country, we lack the Eco-savvy to conserve our shared and TRUE home.

VMC

Anonymous said...

I blame technology even though it seems like has nothing to do with Earth. In my opinion it does the more technology becomes powerful the less people start caring about Earth. Almost all our needs comes with Earth and this should become more powerful. I don't understand how people cannot take our of our home. We tend to forget the beauty of earth and take it for granted.
NDC

Anonymous said...

I believe that the we were put on this earth to maintain it and multiply in it as the bible says. That makes us, supreme authority over it. I think we should take care of it, but not sacrifice ourselves or our needs for it.

Anonymous said...

Sunshine on that last post. "I believe that we were put on this earth to maintain it..."

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said....
If we want a long healthy life we must start with are home earth.


LS

Anonymous said...

Earth may be an inanimate object, but so is your vehicle, and you truly care about it. You care about your car because it provides you with transportation, but no one seems to realize that Earth provides us with life itself. Without it, we would not exist. Ecuador and Bolivia's laws towards Earth rights are inspiring, and the United States should learn from the aforementioned countries.

AYS

Anonymous said...

Without our planet, Earth, we wouldn’t exist. It is crucial that governments all around the world understand the importance to give regulations to protect and conserve the Earth, the ecosystem, and hopefully slow down global warming. MJ

Anonymous said...

The protection of our environment must be an obligation in the human being. I agree with an international deal to protect the water and the natural resources. This one must be sincere and similar, independent of the industrial development of each country.
RC

Anonymous said...

That's actually pretty amazing. I had never heard of Bolivia's Law of Mother Earth and it's definitely a step in the right direction. However, how much damage to the ecosystem is Bolivia doing compared to the United States? In order to see some real change on a global scale, the major players (U.S., China, E.U.) are going to have to step up on environmental regulations, regardless of whether or not it's good in a purely business sense.

Anonymous said...

That's actually pretty amazing. I had never heard of Bolivia's Law of Mother Earth and it's definitely a step in the right direction. However, how much damage to the ecosystem is Bolivia doing compared to the United States? In order to see some real change on a global scale, the major players (U.S., China, E.U.) are going to have to step up on environmental regulations, regardless of whether or not it's good in a purely business sense.

Jo L Lo