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Issues, News, Resources, Rights of Nature
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Newsletters
Apr 9, 2020
Pacific Northwest organizer, Kai Huschke, details how COVID-19 has opens timely conversation about the Rights of Nature as a legal framework for protecting Nature.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Resource LinksMar 25, 2020
PRESS RELEASE: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection enforces local Rights of Nature law. Allows Grant Township to protect vital waterways in revoking permit for dangerous frack waste injection well.
Read More | News, Press ReleasesMar 13, 2020
Press Release: Corporate plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit against LEBOR show total disregard for global COVID-19 pandemic as they demand $293,750 from the City of Toledo for defending the Lake Erie Bill of Rights.
Read More | News, Press ReleasesFeb 6, 2020
A post-court update of the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. Get an in-depth look at the arguments made in federal court as the Corporate State defends its constitutional right to pollute. The City of Toledo is triumphant in defending Rights of Nature.
Read More | News, Press ReleasesFeb 6, 2020
Check out this interview with CELDF’s Hawaii and Northwest organizer, Kai Huschke, on CELDF’s partnerships with communities across the U.S. who have spearheaded the Rights of Nature movement.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Resource Links, Rights of NatureFeb 6, 2020
If corporations have individual rights under US law – like freedom of speech – why not a grant a lake or forest or river the same status? Ohio organizer Tish O’Dell talks about Toledo’s groundbreaking law – the Lake Erie Bill of Rights – and the Rights of Nature Movement!
Read More | Community Rights, Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Resource Links, Rights of NatureNov 25, 2019
The first Rights of Nature legislation is introduced in Australia, into the Western Australia Parliament. CELDF’s International Center for the Rights of Nature assisted in drafting the law.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success StoryOct 10, 2019
“The Rights of Nature movement…is about ushering humanity back onto a living planet.”
Read More | News from the GrassrootsOct 8, 2019
A representative in Sweden’s Parliament introduces Rights of Nature legislation – the first time a European national government considers the rights of ecosystems.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success StorySep 30, 2019
Williams County, Ohio, residents submit request to join a multi-plaintiff federal civil rights lawsuit against state of Ohio as they continue to be blocked from the ballot.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & BlogsSep 14, 2019
The unsurprising truth behind legislation adopted by the Ohio Assembly in an effort to undermine the Rights of Nature movement.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsSep 6, 2019
As we begin a sixth mass extinction, we must act now to change our trajectory. In this guest blog, Susan Shaw urges the UK to embrace Rights of Nature to propel us forward.
Read More | Blogs, Press Releases & Blogs, Rights of NatureSep 5, 2019
This New Hampshire resident urges continued recognition of nature’s rights to end the insane ravaging of Earth’s ecosystem.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsAug 29, 2019
Investigation by Ohio citizens finds the Ohio Chamber of Commerce drafted Ohio legislation language to stop Rights of Nature enforcement.
Read More | Community Wires, News, Press ReleasesAug 22, 2019
Amidst calls for a new Irish Constitution are calls to recognize the Rights of Nature, changing how humankind and nature are in relationship, and how we protect nature under law.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Rights of NatureJul 22, 2019
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 ReleasesJul 18, 2019
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 ReleasesJul 16, 2019
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 GrassrootsJun 27, 2019
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 ReleasesJun 16, 2019
The State of Colima in Mexico recognizes the Rights of Nature in its constitution.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsJun 14, 2019
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 GrassrootsMay 28, 2019
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 ReleasesMay 9, 2019
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 ReleasesFeb 6, 2019
CELDF assisted Honor the Earth to develop the first Rights of Nature law to protect a plant species, which was adopted by the White Earth Band of Ojibwe.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success StoryJan 15, 2019
An Italian interview with CELDF’s leader of our International Center for the Rights of Nature, Mari Margil.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Success StoryJan 12, 2019
CELDF’s Australian partners champion the Lake Erie Bill of Rights, understanding the Great Lake – like the Great Barrier Reef – must be recognized as having the right to exist and flourish. CELDF is working with both groups to advance those rights.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Success StoryJan 9, 2019
The National Lawyers Guild overwhelmingly adopts Rights of Nature in its constitution.
Read More | Press Releases & Blogs, Success StoryJan 2, 2019
Communities along the Salish Sea are organizing to advance the Sea’s rights to exist and flourish, free from toxic and other harms.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsSep 26, 2018
CELDF’s Ben Price reflects on the Ecuadorian people embracing Rights of Nature in their constitution ten year ago, and the growing movement since.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success StorySep 21, 2018
CELDF assisted Ecuador’s Constitutional Assembly to draft Rights of Nature provisions for their Constitution. The Ecuadorian people adopted the Constitution overwhelmingly by popular vote. Now, we celebrate the 10 year anniversary, and the growing Rights of Nature movement.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success StorySep 17, 2018
The General Council of the Ho-Chunk Nation votes overwhelmingly in support of a Rights of Nature constitutional amendment.
Read More | Community Wires, News, Press Releases, Success StorySep 9, 2018
CELDF is working with communities across the U.S. and around the world to advance the Rights of Nature – and the movement is growing.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Success StoryApr 30, 2018
Rights of Nature builds momentum in Colorado – from efforts to advance rights for the Colorado River, to rights for Boulder County’s forests and grasslands.
Read More | Success StoryApr 10, 2018
Human rights to a healthy environment are gaining recognition – and today, the rights of nature are growing as well. Here, CELDF’s Mari Margil speaks to how recognizing ecosystem rights is central to tackling environmental degradation.
Read More | News from the GrassrootsFeb 28, 2018
Community Rights supporter Carol Van Strum receives the International Lifetime Achievement Award Presented at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference in Eugene, OR.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success StoryJan 10, 2018
The people of Grant Township, PA, are fiercely defending their right to clean air and water. A federal judge sanctions two attorneys for standing with Grant and fighting for their rights.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsDec 20, 2017
As part of the growing Rights of Nature movement, the first conservation easement in Hawaii recognizing the Rights of Nature now protects 8 acres of land on the island of Kaua’i.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & BlogsDec 7, 2017
Will Falk, as a “next friend” in the recently dismissed Colorado River v. State of Colorado lawsuit, examines the reality of our legal system – designed to protect property, not people or nature.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsDec 4, 2017
CELDF is leading the Rights of Nature movement, working with communities to change our trajectory and establish the sustainable communities so many envision.
Read More | UncategorizedOct 22, 2017
This is what we need to do, given the global environmental crisis we face and the legal structure that created it: dismantle existing law and build something new.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsSep 28, 2017
In a groundbreaking lawsuit, the rights of nature is used as a new legal paradigm to protect the Colorado River.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Success StorySep 1, 2017
In October 2017, the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), with its International Center for the Rights of Nature, partnered with Tulane Law School to host the Rights of Nature Symposium: Driving Rights of Nature into Law – Opportunities, Risks, and Obstacles. The Symposium brought together key leaders in the Rights of Nature movement –… Read more »
Read More |May 3, 2017
A Colombian court recognizes the rights of the Atrato River to exist and flourish, ordering the end of illegal mining and the use of toxins in extracting minerals.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the Grassroots, Success StoryFeb 16, 2017
Where indigenous communities seek a western legal framework to protect Rights of Nature, CELDF and Bioneers are working together to support them.
Read More | News from the GrassrootsNov 9, 2016
At CELDF, we recognize that Rights of Nature is a concept deeply rooted in traditional indigenous knowledge. This timeline reflects an evolution of western law and philosophy informed by an indigenous worldview as well as indigenous led-efforts around the world. Below are key moments in the development of the movement for the Rights of Nature:… Read more »
Read More |Nov 9, 2016
What do we mean when we say that nature has rights? Under the current system of law in almost every country, nature is considered to be property. Something that is considered property confers upon the property owner the right to damage or destroy it. Thus, those who “own” wetlands, forestland, and other ecosystems and natural… Read more »
Read More |Nov 9, 2016
CELDF’s International Center for the Rights of Nature is partnering with civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, communities, and governments around the world to advance the Rights of Nature. Our Center’s services include legislative and policy drafting, legal research, public engagement, and trainings. Keep reading to learn more or contact us at info@celdf.org. Advancing the Rights of… Read more »
Read More |Oct 7, 2016
As the corporate state continues to support fracking activities, the Ponka Nation vows to protect the land and people from harm using Rights of Nature and banning fracking waste injection wells.
Read More | Community Wires, News from the GrassrootsOct 4, 2016
Recognizing the Rights of Nature in law is a growing strategy used by indigenous and non-indigenous communities across the U.S. and internationally to protect communities from environmental harm. The Ho-Chunk Nation is the first tribal nation to vote on amending their constitution with the Rights of Nature.
Read More | News from the Grassroots, Success StorySep 18, 2016
The General Council of the Ho-Chunk Nation votes overwhelmingly to amend their tribal constitution to enshrine the Rights of Nature – the first tribal nation in the United States to take this critical step. A vote of the full membership will follow.
Read More | Community Wires, Press Releases & Blogs, Success Story