News Archives - Page 7 of 25

Aug 12, 2019

Next City: Can Cities Grant Nature the Right to Exist, and Thrive?

More and more cities are taking action to end the commodification and exploitation of people and nature for corporate profit, using Community Rights and Rights of Nature.

Aug 3, 2019

NPR: Should Rivers Have Same Legal Rights As Humans? A Growing Number Of Voices Say Yes

NPR covers this story on the growing Rights of Nature movement across the U.S. and around the world. “‘[W]e have to change our environmental protection in this country and across the world, because obviously what we’re doing isn’t working.'”

Jul 31, 2019

Truthout: States Are Thwarting Cities’ Attempts to Govern Themselves

The federal court’s decision to uphold the Berkeley cellphone radiation disclosure law should not be mistaken for judicial deference to the right of local self-government.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Jul 31, 2019

Reuters: That river has rights: new strategy to protect planet

Recognizing legal rights of ecosystems is a growing movement gaining momentum around the world.

Jul 22, 2019

Press Release: Ballot Access Stymied in Ohio and Washington

The corporate state attempts to strip democratic rights in Ohio and Washington state. CELDF supports communities as together they fight back.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jul 22, 2019

The Columbus Dispatch: Letter: Budget section tramples on community, nature’s rights

Community members in Columbus, Ohio, call out the state legislators’ shameful efforts to quash Rights of Nature in the budget bill.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 22, 2019

Lake Erie Advocates’ Media Statement: Ohio Legislature Attacks Rights of Nature, Protects Polluters in Budget Bill

Community groups release joint statement revealing not only the Ohio legislature’s efforts to stop Rights of Nature, but also expanding protections of industrial agricultural operations.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jul 18, 2019

Media Release: Ohio Legislature Bans Rights of Nature Enforcement

While Rights of Nature grows in Ohio, the state legislature tries to ban its enforcement. Undeterred, Ohio communities continue advancing laws to protect ecosystems based on rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jul 17, 2019

CELDF on the Daily Show: The Fight to Turn Lake Erie into a Person

The Daily Show’s Michael Kosta covers Toledo residents’ work to protect Lake Erie by recognizing the Lake’s rights…and he takes the Lake’s…hand in marriage?!

Jul 16, 2019

WGCU: The Rights of Nature Movement Comes to Lee County

CELDF co-founder Thomas Linzey on the growing Rights of Nature movement as the people of Lee County, Florida, look to recognize the rights of the Caloosahatchee River.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jul 11, 2019

Media Release: Rights of Michindoh Aquifer Encounter First Hurdle

While efforts mount to stop Rights of Nature in Ohio, community groups press on, insisting on their right to protect the ecosystems upon which they depend.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jul 10, 2019

Mother Jones: A New Wave of Environmentalists Want to Give Nature Legal Rights

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success Story

Jul 3, 2019

Blog: The Federalists Betrayed the Revolution We Celebrate on July 4th

As we celebrate July 4th, let us remember that the ideal of the American Revolution have yet to be realized. There are communities today fighting for those democratic ideals. Let’s join them.

Common Dreams: The Meek Be Damned on Global Warming

A call to action by CELDF’s Thomas Linzey – the time to act is now, advancing community democracy in the name of sustainability, and the rights of nature.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Jul 1, 2019

Press Release: Major Developments for Lake Erie Bill of Rights

Rights of Nature is hot in Ohio, where Toledoans take action to protect the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, another community advances an initiative to recognize the rights of a water ecosystem, legal cases continue, and more.

Toledo Residents’ Media Release: Citizens Recognize the Lake Erie Bill of Rights as the Will of the People

As the state of Ohio attempts to undermine the will of Toledo community members, residents file a pro se complaint to uphold the Lake Erie Bill of Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases, Success Story

Jun 27, 2019

Media Release: Anti-Rights of Nature Language Snuck into Ohio State Budget Bill

State of Ohio inserts anti-Rights of Nature language in the budget bill. In an era of climate crisis and growing efforts to advance ecosystem rights, Ohio government is on the wrong side of history.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jun 27, 2019

The Blade: Activists seeking court order to protect Lake Erie Bill of Rights

Toledoans file lawsuit to affirm their Lake Erie Bill of Rights and as part of the growing movement for Rights of Nature.

Jun 26, 2019

Media Statement: Ohio Group Submits Signatures to Recognize Rights for Michindoh Aquifer

Community Rights and Rights of Nature continue to grow in Ohio as Williams County residents submit their citizen initiative to protect themselves from corporate water withdrawals.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases, Success Story

Jun 16, 2019

Blanca Livier Blog: Colima makes history: They recognize the Rights of Nature in the Constitution

The State of Colima in Mexico recognizes the Rights of Nature in its constitution.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 14, 2019

Ecologist: Ohio state government attacks Rights of Nature

CELDF’s community organizer Tish O’Dell on what it takes to protect Lake Erie and Rights of Nature as the state of Ohio attacks both.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 7, 2019

E&E News: Ohio pushes court to sink legal rights for Lake Erie

As Ohioans make strides to advance Rights of Nature, the people’s own state government fights to stop them.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 7, 2019

The Indiana Gazette: Grant Township took proper stance

Grant Township, PA, resident speaks out on criticism aimed at Township’s efforts to protect the community from a toxic fracking wastewater injection well.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Jun 6, 2019

Media Release: Tacoma, WA, Group Files First Amendment SCOTUS Petition to Protect Local Ballot Access

With CELDF-supported attorneys, Tacoma, WA, residents filed a 1st Amendment petition with the Supreme Court challenging continued denial of ballot access for qualified citizen initiatives.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

Jun 5, 2019

Nightingale Initiative for Global Health: Protecting Mother Nature

A Toledo woman’s journey to discover and join the Rights of Nature movement, protecting her daughter, community, and the rights of Lake Erie.

Jun 5, 2019

Common Dreams, Inc. : How to Arm Nature Against Corporate Profiteers

Jim Hightower, national radio commentator, author, and public speaker, points to the Rights of Nature movement as a grassroots effort to protect the biosphere and challenge corporate rule.

Jun 3, 2019

Resistance Radio Interview with CELDF’s Ben Price

Derrick Jensen interviews CELDF’s Ben Price on his newly published book, How Wealth Rules the World.

Read More | News from the Grassroots

May 29, 2019

Jefferson Public Radio: Yuroks Grant Rights To The Klamath River

The Yurok Tribal Council adopts law recognizing the rights of the Klamath River, which is central to the culture and life of the Yurok.

May 28, 2019

Press Release: Multi-Prong Attack by State of Ohio Against Rights of Nature

Ohio Attorney General files complaint to overturn Lake Erie Bill of Rights on behalf of industry, arguing there is a right to pollute.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

May 24, 2019

Blog: A Right to Survive is Born in Denver

Wealthy interests seeking to crush human rights in Denver, Colorado, out raised local supporters of the Denver “Right to Survive” initiative 23:1. This is the story of a fight for human rights that cannot be trampled by corporate hegemony.

Read More | Blogs, Community Wires, News

May 23, 2019

Salud America: Toledo Mom Fights for Clean Drinking Water for Her Own, All Children

The story of one Toledo mom and her taking action to protect her children, her community, and the Great Lake Erie through Community Rights and Rights of Nature.

May 20, 2019

KGNU: Who Paid to Defeat Initiative 300?

An interview with CELDF’s Ben Price on Denver’s Right to Survive ordinance, and the $2.3 million spent by industries to defeat it.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

May 9, 2019

Media Statement: The First State in U.S. History Has Mentioned Legal Rights of Nature

Today, the Ohio House adopts provisions to block communities and local governments from enforcing recognized legal rights for ecosystems.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

May 8, 2019

Media Statement: A Human Right to Survive is Born in Denver

“This idea of a real human right to survive in the 21st century … was born – through the determination and commitment of the people who live [in Denver].”

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

May 8, 2019

Media Release: Judge Denies Toledoans and Lake Erie Access to Court

As a judge denies Toledoans and Lake Erie intervention to defend the Lake Erie Bill of Rights against an agribusiness lawsuit to overturn it, community members file an appeal.

Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases

May 7, 2019

Truthout: UN Report Says Indigenous Sovereignty Could Save the Planet

It’s time to recognize the rights of ecosystems and the authority of communities to stop harmful projects. “[T]he best defenders of nature and biodiversity are the communities themselves.”

Read More | News from the Grassroots

May 6, 2019

DC Media Group: Biodiversity in Collapse: How to Save 1 Million Species from Extinction

“[It’s time to] enact laws that recognize the inalienable rights of ecosystems to exist, flourish and naturally evolve, and the authority of the community to protect [it]”

Read More | News from the Grassroots

Apr 29, 2019

Standard Speaker: Supervisors want to hear from nonprofit about well issue

Community members in North Union Township, Pennsylvania, engage with CELDF and its partner Network to discuss using Community Rights to protect their water from being siphoned off.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 27, 2019

ANI News: Ecuador native community defeats government in court, gets oil exploration banned

Oil corporations were forced to back off native lands in Ecuador. A court decision held that their actions were “inadequate and violated the ‘community’s right to self-determination.'”

Apr 24, 2019

National Geographic: A Voice for Nature

More than just recognizing legal rights, the growing Rights of Nature movement is a paradigm shift in the relationship between human beings and nature.

Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success Story

Apr 22, 2019

The Blade: Watch: Lake Erie activist addresses the United Nations

Community Rights leader Markie Miller, from Toledo, Ohio, speaks to the UN General Assembly. She was invited to talk about the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, an historic law adopted by Toledoans in February.

Apr 22, 2019

Environmental News Service: Earth Day 2019 Marked By Climate Concerns

Earth Day celebrations span the globe, highlighting Earth’s beauty and the threat of climate change devastation. Rights of Nature is a growing movement to stop climate change and other harms.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 16, 2019

Media Statement: Crowdfunding to Defend Lake Erie

The oil and gas industry tried to quash the Lake Erie Bill of Rights at the ballot. The agriculture industry is trying to quash it in court. CELDF is crowdfunding as we represent Lake Erie and Toledo community members to protect the Lake’s rights.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Apr 14, 2019

The Blade: BP wasted money fighting LEBOR

The Editorial Board of the Toledo Blade calls out the irony of Houston-based BP Corporation funding the anti-Lake Erie Bill of Rights campaign, which attacked the citizen initiative as led by “outside influencers.”

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 6, 2019

Toledoans for Safe Water: Campaign Finance Report Sheds Light on Corrupt Corporate Influence Against the Lake Erie Bill of Rights

BP Corporation was the sole monetary donor behind the campaign to quash the Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR). The measure won with 61% of the vote.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Apr 3, 2019

The Blade: United Nations invites Lake Erie activists to speak about bill of rights

Community members from Toledo, Ohio, are invited to the United Nations this month to speak about the Lake Erie Bill of Rights adopted by citizens in February.

Apr 2, 2019

Media Release: Not an April Fools Joke in Grant Township

GRANT TOWNSHIP, INDIANA COUNTY, PA: On April 1, federal Judge Susan Paradise Baxter issued an order that was not a joke: Grant Township (pop. 741), Baxter declared, owes Pennsylvania General Energy (PGE) over $100,000 in attorney’s fees and costs.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 25, 2019

Fosters.com: State reps block local rights effort

The people of New Hampshire have the right to govern themselves and protect their communities from corporate harm – yet the state legislature blocks them from securing that right in the state constitution.

Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots

Mar 25, 2019

Media Release: New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Hijacked by Party Politics

The New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment, CACR8, went before the state House of Representatives last week. It was blocked from advancing to a vote by New Hampshire citizens.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Mar 19, 2019

Media Release: Lake Erie and Local Residents File Court Motions to Defend Rights of Lake

Lake Erie files a motion to intervene in a lawsuit filed by industry to overturn the Lake Erie Bill of Rights.

Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs

Book: ‘Death by Democracy’

CELDF's Proposed Rights of Nature Principles

2023 Year-end Newsletter: Living with Nature

Next City: Can Cities Grant Nature the Right to Exist, and Thrive?

NPR: Should Rivers Have Same Legal Rights As Humans? A Growing Number Of Voices Say Yes

Truthout: States Are Thwarting Cities’ Attempts to Govern Themselves

Reuters: That river has rights: new strategy to protect planet

Press Release: Ballot Access Stymied in Ohio and Washington

The Columbus Dispatch: Letter: Budget section tramples on community, nature’s rights

Lake Erie Advocates’ Media Statement: Ohio Legislature Attacks Rights of Nature, Protects Polluters in Budget Bill

Media Release: Ohio Legislature Bans Rights of Nature Enforcement

CELDF on the Daily Show: The Fight to Turn Lake Erie into a Person

WGCU: The Rights of Nature Movement Comes to Lee County

Media Release: Rights of Michindoh Aquifer Encounter First Hurdle

Mother Jones: A New Wave of Environmentalists Want to Give Nature Legal Rights

Blog: The Federalists Betrayed the Revolution We Celebrate on July 4th

Common Dreams: The Meek Be Damned on Global Warming

Press Release: Major Developments for Lake Erie Bill of Rights

Toledo Residents’ Media Release: Citizens Recognize the Lake Erie Bill of Rights as the Will of the People

Media Release: Anti-Rights of Nature Language Snuck into Ohio State Budget Bill

The Blade: Activists seeking court order to protect Lake Erie Bill of Rights

Media Statement: Ohio Group Submits Signatures to Recognize Rights for Michindoh Aquifer

Blanca Livier Blog: Colima makes history: They recognize the Rights of Nature in the Constitution

Ecologist: Ohio state government attacks Rights of Nature

E&E News: Ohio pushes court to sink legal rights for Lake Erie

The Indiana Gazette: Grant Township took proper stance

Media Release: Tacoma, WA, Group Files First Amendment SCOTUS Petition to Protect Local Ballot Access

Nightingale Initiative for Global Health: Protecting ​Mother Nature

Common Dreams, Inc. : How to Arm Nature Against Corporate Profiteers

Resistance Radio Interview with CELDF’s Ben Price

Jefferson Public Radio: Yuroks Grant Rights To The Klamath River

Press Release: Multi-Prong Attack by State of Ohio Against Rights of Nature

Blog: A Right to Survive is Born in Denver

Salud America: Toledo Mom Fights for Clean Drinking Water for Her Own, All Children

KGNU: Who Paid to Defeat Initiative 300?

Media Statement: The First State in U.S. History Has Mentioned Legal Rights of Nature

Media Statement: A Human Right to Survive is Born in Denver

Media Release: Judge Denies Toledoans and Lake Erie Access to Court

Truthout: UN Report Says Indigenous Sovereignty Could Save the Planet

DC Media Group: Biodiversity in Collapse: How to Save 1 Million Species from Extinction

Standard Speaker: Supervisors want to hear from nonprofit about well issue

ANI News: Ecuador native community defeats government in court, gets oil exploration banned

National Geographic: A Voice for Nature

The Blade: Watch: Lake Erie activist addresses the United Nations

Environmental News Service: Earth Day 2019 Marked By Climate Concerns

Media Statement: Crowdfunding to Defend Lake Erie

The Blade: BP wasted money fighting LEBOR

Toledoans for Safe Water: Campaign Finance Report Sheds Light on Corrupt Corporate Influence Against the Lake Erie Bill of Rights

The Blade: United Nations invites Lake Erie activists to speak about bill of rights

Media Release: Not an April Fools Joke in Grant Township

Fosters.com: State reps block local rights effort

Media Release: New Hampshire Community Rights Amendment Hijacked by Party Politics

Media Release: Lake Erie and Local Residents File Court Motions to Defend Rights of Lake

Support just, fair, and sustainable communities

Nightingale Initiative for Global Health: Protecting Mother Nature