Bolivia Passes Law Declaring Mother Earth has Equal Status

[flamingdem]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/apr/10/bolivia-enshrines-natural-worlds-rights

** I'm looking forward to the day that our government treats Latin American left leaning governments with respect, this is certainly a superior culture to one where "corporations are people, my friend".


Law of Mother Earth expected to prompt radical new conservation and social measures in South American nation

Bolivia is set to pass the world's first laws granting all nature equal rights to humans. The Law of Mother Earth, now agreed by politicians and grassroots social groups, redefines the country's rich mineral deposits as "blessings" and is expected to lead to radical new conservation and social measures to reduce pollution and control industry.

The country, which has been pilloried by the US and Britain in the UN climate talks for demanding steep carbon emission cuts, will establish 11 new rights for nature. They include: the right to life and to exist; the right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration; the right to pure water and clean air; the right to balance; the right not to be polluted; and the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered.

Controversially, it will also enshrine the right of nature "to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that affect the balance of ecosystems and the local inhabitant communities".

"It makes world history. Earth is the mother of all", said Vice-President Alvaro García Linera. "It establishes a new relationship between man and nature, the harmony of which must be preserved as a guarantee of its regeneration."

[reteachinwi]

1. Americans(US) used to say these things

In short, a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow-members, and also respect for the community as such.

In human history, we have learned (I hope) that the conqueror role is eventually self-defeating. Why? Because it is implicit in such a role that the conqueror knows, ex cathedra, just what makes the community clock tick, and just what and who is valuable, and what and who is worth-less, in community life. It always turns out that he knows neither, and this is why his conquests eventually defeat themselves.
http://home.btconnect.com/tipiglen/landethic.html

[flamingdem]

3. Thanks for your reply and the link

I like the term land ethic. It struck me that Bolivia has done this because it's a statement the United States is incapable of making. They really did something unique here but of course it will be ignored.

The world looks for a leader, Obama could tip things towards the right direction, it remains to be seen if he "knows neither".

Obama really should have read "The Open Veins of Latin America" that was given to him by Chavez. He doesn't have to embrace the Latin Left but why not learn something about their viewpoint, walk in their shoes. Imagine, just imagine that those puny countries have something to teach us.

Who hasn't had a moment in nature where you know there is a Mother Earth. It's not a spiritual term used by marginal nations, it's the way it is!

[love_katz]

2. Great quote from Aldo Leopold.

Earth IS the Mother of All. We need to get a grip, and get with the program. Otherwise, Earth may cease to be a viable habitat for humans.

[flamingdem]

4. I had to search to find out more about Aldo, very interesting

http://www.aldoleopold.org/greenfire/ppq.shtml

[reteachinwi]

5. He continues to be remarkable

His records and observations have been used to prove statistically that spring arrives 10-14 days earlier than it did 50 years ago. A scientist with epiphanies, a humanist whose passion went beyond humans.

[flamingdem]

9. He reminds me a bit of Loren Eiseley the British anthropologist

who wrote about nature

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/56782.Loren_Eiseley

[Judi Lynn]

6. K & R. n/t

[Delphinus]

7. Supberb!

[malaise]

8. Excellent

Rec

[DogPawsBiscuitsNGrav]

10. Hopefully we'll do this soon with the animals too.

[flamingdem]

12. Dolphins now have a new designation

non-human something.. I forget but it's a step up and gives them more rights

[DogPawsBiscuitsNGrav]

14. Yes this was a good move in the right direction. If a corporation can be treated as a person why not

an animal?

[libtodeath]

11. K&R

not just because it is right but it would be a fundamental advance in or economic system.
War machine spending would have to stop,true green energy study would create millions of jobs and on and on.

[flamingdem]

13. Good point, it would motivate and justify changes

that the current bunch can't stomach at the moment

Chances are this is the way of the future, it's intelligent and makes sense economically.

[Pterodactyl]

15. Goofy idea, giving concepts rights.

I suspect "Mother Earth" will always exert "her" rights in the way the government wants.

And rights also come with responsibilities. Will "Mother Earth" pay taxes? Be liable in civil suits when nature injures someone? The claims from a single earthquake might bankrupt her. Can she vote? Drive a car?