May 2011

What Would Our World Look Like If Nature Had Rights?

During the Earth Day celebrations last month at the UN, Maude Barlow, Shannon Biggs, the United Nations and other activists were asking, “what if Mother Earth had rights?”

Maude Barlow and Shannon Biggs among others were in New York that week to promote the release of a book titled, The Rights of Nature: The Case for a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth (published jointly by The Council of Canadians, Fundacion Pachamama and Global Exchange).

A day earlier, the UN General Assembly discussed implementing new international standards that afford rights and legal standing to nature and ecosystems.

This movement for an international declaration for rights for Mother Earth originated out of the failure of the 2009 climate change summit in Copenhagen. About 32,000 participants gathered in Bolivia to discuss what next in April 2010. It is out of this gathering that the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth was born along with a call for the United Nations to adopt it.

Since then, there are 125+ cities that have recognized the legal rights of nature. Pittsburgh became the first major city to recognize the legal rights of nature. According to Barlow, “Bolivia is set to pass these legal rights and Ecuador has adopted a resolution protecting nature. India has declared that its rivers are sacred and have rights.”

According to an excerpt from The Council of Canadians website, this is an effort to bring together the voices of acclaimed authors, progressive thinkers, political leaders and environmental and community activists from around the world who share their passion for such a Declaration with the focus on the above question.

In placing the rights of nature above those of corporations and our current neoliberal systems, a major paradigm shift is required. Currently, nature is viewed as human property. In the U.S., legislation protects many rights yet none relate to nature and ecosystems. Since the BP oil spill a year ago, not one law has been passed in favor of nature’s rights. To view nature as having rights is to take into account what anyone does to harm nature and ecosystems. To adopt this mentality and bring a legal case before the courts would allow lawyers to represent ecosystems.

Efforts such as these to “balance our economic and development systems” are directly related to the limitations Earth has and human species actions that destroy Earth. As human species continue to consume, individuals are beginning to experience what happens when we hold no value for Earth and deny Earth rights.

Reflections/Actions:
• Reflect upon the question, "What would our world look like if nature had rights?" What insights do I gain?
• Read, reflect and share the proposed Universal Declaration of the Rights for Mother Earth.
• How might I encourage my community/city/country to adopt this Declaration?
• It is hoped that this document can stand as a companion to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights someday. In what concrete ways do I currently hold these as companions?
• How have I shaken myself off the "Modern World" dream and changed personal assumptions that lead to consumption of resources?
• Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream is a symposium that works to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet. It is a call from indigenous peoples that complements the movement of Rights for Mother Earth. Joetta Venneman in the Office of Global Ministries has been trained as a facilitator. To learn more or host a symposium, contact her.

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The Financial Transaction Tax

The Financing for Development Committee at the United Nations and the Sisters of Charity Federation are asking membership to support this bill. The Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) would impose a small fee, approximately 0.005% on the sale or transfer of stocks, bonds and other financial assets. H.R. 755, Investing in Our Future Act of 2011 that was recently introduced by Peter Stark and would tax all currency transactions made by or on behalf of a US person above the aggregate value, in excess of $10,000 made during a calendar year. This fee would be inconsequential for the average person investing in stocks, bonds or other assets for a reasonable period of time, but would place a much heavier burden on speculators. According to economist Dean Baker, "It raises money in a way that comes primarily at the expense of speculation....It's a very progressive tax that discourages nonproductive activity."

The money from this bill would be used for:
• Child Care Assistance Trust Fund
• Multilateral Global Health Programs
• Global Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
• Deficit Reduction

Actions:
• To read the bill by typing in the bill number H.R. 755.
• U.S. citizens are urged to contact their U.S. Representative urging her/him to co-sponsor this legislation.
• Non-U.S. citizens are invited to pray for passage of this legislation and the work of advocacy.

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Is the American Dream Disappearing With Decisions About the U.S. Debt Limit and FY 2012 Budget?

Two U.S. events that are already engaging much discussion include that of the debt limit and the FY 2012 budget.

Before any decision is made, individuals would be wise to step back and examine the larger picture of America’s moral vision and the importance of the many systems present in our everyday realities.

What forms America’s moral vision at the beginning of our nation’s history and today? Individuals may state that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution provide evidence of our founding values. In the Declaration of Independence, it states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all (people) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The Constitution begins, “We the People…”

What about Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness?
Is it found in the 40 million Americans living in poverty?
Is it found in the tens of millions living near poverty?
Is it found in the 46 million uninsured?
Is it found in the six million people forced from homes?
Is it found in the corporations who avoid taxes through loopholes?
Is it found in increased spending on weapons and the U.S. military?
Is it found in __________________________ (You fill in the blank)?

Today, there exists, “We, the corporations…, We, the wealthy 0.1 percent of Americans…, We, the media….”
Have our President and legislators become irrelevant?
Who writes U.S. legislation? Who gets it passed?
Where are the intellectual forums for genuine political discussion and debate?
Have individuals become a “Me, the People…”?

Acknowledging the fragmented society I live in, might the “I” need to become part of the “WE” and examine how making a decision affects others in my human community? After all, the debt limit solution and our budget deficits and spending do not occur in isolation of “we, the people.” What “we, the people” desire are facts and informed dialogue from our government, corporations, and the media. With regard to the FY 2012 budget, “we, the people” desire a strong economic recovery and a greater distribution of wealth such that we are able to sustain a strong recovery.

Examining any debt limit or FY 2012 budget and work to reduce budget deficits and spending must take into consideration the larger picture of our American values. Failure to do so leaves the government system unable to protect and empower “we, the American people with rights of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Reflections/Actions:
• What values do I hold as a member of my country when it comes to legislation?
• As I reflect upon the decisions to be made by U.S. legislators, what actions can I take to nurture and promote the American Dream
- of fairness?
- of happiness?
- of a measure of security for all?
- of the well-being of us, as community?
- for future generations?
• Visit Pay Up Now to send a personal message to those who pay little or no taxes. Is there a way I can avoid purchasing from these corporations/individuals?
• Urge U.S. Senators (202.224.3121 – charges apply) to oppose FY 2012 budget plans that
- cut and/or alter the structure of Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps (SNAP) and other safety net programs
- cut safety net programs supporting low-income families especially those struggling to make ends meet
- cap global spending and will cause across-the-board spending cuts
- do not fully fund the Affordable Care Act and preserve the health insurance coverage expansion of 32 million individuals

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Human Trafficking and Nepal

A documentary, “The Cost of Living,” show the plight of Nepali migrant workers trafficked to Gulf countries. Trade unions are pioneering to address this modern day slavery in domestic, construction, and other work in Gulf States.