Because it’s near impossible to beat corporations at their own game, we must change the game. Following the spirit of energy democracy principles, CELDF works with communities when invited to help locals design and set up structures that block unwanted corporations from moving in. This challenge to power is an essential first fight on the road to energy democracy.

Oral arguments presented in an Ohio civil rights appeal in a critical case for direct democracy arising from suppression of Rights of Nature and local democracy petitioning. The case begs fundamental questions about the relationship between people and their government.

The New Hampshire-based Nottingham Water Alliance, which previously campaigned to adopt the Freedom From Chemical Trespass Ordinance, filed a brief opposing a corporation’s demand for $50,000 in taxpayer dollars for attorney fees. G&F Goods, LLC filed a lawsuit against the local ordinance claiming the local law discriminated against their corporate constitutional rights.

Oral arguments in a federal civil rights case against the State of Ohio have been scheduled. Plaintiffs from seven Ohio counties, representing Rights of Nature laws and other measures protecting local democracy from corporate special interests. Plaintiffs are petitioners for local initiative campaigns that were all successfully qualified various measures that were blocked from the ballot.

The COVID-19 shutdown orders halted the signature collection efforts of petitioners in Columbus, Ohio. On April 14, the U.S. District Court for Southern Ohio dismissed the request of petitioners to extend their collection deadline. COVID-19 restrictions have shifted deadlines for nearly all aspects – the Corporate State refuses to make an exception for the democratic process.

Clara Township residents move forward with a Home Rule Charter initiative to protect vital waterways and assert the democratic rights of the community. Nearly half of all registered voters have signed on in support of the measure. Roulette Oil and Gas LLC (ROGC) applied for a Class II Injection Well Permit.

Following international support for the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, CELDF is honored to work in solidarity with a new French-speaking network to advance Rights of Nature in Europe.

CELDF officially endorsed a proposal for a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands, organized by lawyers and scientists with the Society of Wetland Scientists’ Rights of Wetlands and Climate Change and Wetlands initiatives. The group is planning to share the Declaration with the 171 signatory countries of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention), and inviting them to work with others to move toward a framework that ensures the rights of wetlands are understood, respected, and upheld.

We invite you to join us for a three-part Earth Day conversation series as we facilitate honest and open discussions about the shortcomings and compromises of Environmental Activism and how we can be empowered to move Beyond Earth Day.

Join us for a free film screening of the Rights of Nature documentary – Invisible Hand – followed by a Live Q&A with CELDF organizers.

Join us for a free film screening of the Rights of Nature documentary – Invisible Hand – followed by a Live Q&A with CELDF organizers.