Earth Law Center Blog
ELC Helps Train Nile River Basin Journalists on the Rights of Nature
in the spring of 2024, Earth Law Center (ELC) entered into a year-long collaboration with water journalists from the InfoNile program, including a five-day online training program for Nile River journalists, which was held March 18-21st, 2024, in conjunction with World Water Day (March 22nd), and which focused on the Legal Personhood of the Nile River. Based on the strength of InfoNile’s journalist network and background in training journalists in water, environmental, and science and data journalism, 20 journalists from 11 countries along the Nile River were selected to enroll in the journalists’ certification training on Legal Personhood of the Nile River, with the goal of reporting impactful stories on the Rights of Nature.
Re-envisioning Riverscapes and Urban Riverfronts in India: Toward Ecological and Social Harmony
As India undergoes rapid urbanization and experiences a surge in urban population, the issue of urban water security, intertwined with impacts of climate change, looms larger than ever. Amidst these pressing needs, a concerning trend to “develop” and “beautify” riverfronts in urban areas has emerged. The misallocation of public funds for such projects neglects alternative approaches such as Rights of Nature governance for river restoration and rejuvenation initiatives, which would better serve environmental conservation and community interests.
Peru's Marañón River Wins Recognition of Rights and Indigenous Guardianship in Court
Earth Law Center (ELC) celebrates an important victory obtained for the Marañón River on March 18, 2024. The Kukama Indigenous women of Santa Rita de Castilla, and legal nonprofit Instituto de Defensa Legal (IDL), obtained a historic ruling recognizing the river as a holder of inherent rights—the first such ruling in Peru. With ELC’s Latin America Legal Program having supported the case since its inception, we are thrilled to see this development.
Coalition Spotlight: Ríos Protegidos
Earth Law Center is proud to announce joining the Ríos Protegidos initiative, a space that seeks to strengthen the protection of Chile’s rivers by applying existing tools, recognizing gaps and opportunities in river conservation and restoration, and promoting new legislation on protected and restored rivers. ELC’s Latin America Legal Program recently participated in a workshop to promote the conservation and permanent restoration of rivers in the Aysén region—a huge, sparsely populated area in southern Chile that is home to volcanoes, massive ice fields, and other natural wonders.
Dam Removal 101: Why Earth Law Supports Free-Flowing Rivers
Since Earth law highlights our moral and sacred obligation to prevent species extinction and catastrophic ecosystem degradation, it places paramount importance on the fact that free-flowing rivers are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
Earth Law Center Advocates for the Rights of Peru's Marañón River
A major court ruling on a case against Peruvian state oil company Petroperu, as well as the Regional Government of Loreto and other state entities, is expected in the coming weeks. It has the potential to establish the river as a rights-bearing entity, which would make it the next in a growing list of rivers in South America to have been recognized as having rights.
Nederland Appoints Guardians for Boulder Creek Watershed
The town of Nederland, Colorado, located in the mountains west of Boulder, has appointed two guardians on behalf of Boulder Creek and its watershed, whose rights they previously recognized via town resolution. This move is being celebrated as the first time people have been appointed legal guardians for Nature within the U.S.
First River to Have Recognized Rights in Canada
Building on a worldwide trend of guardianship rights for nature, the Magpie River was granted legal personhood with basic rights and protections. Is it enough?
Klamath River Dam Removal Project will Proceed as Biggest in US History
The largest dam removal project in US history has been green-lighted for 2023, when four antiquated dams will finally be demolished, ending a twenty-year environmental battle to save the Klamath River and its salmon runs.
Local Communities Take the Lead on Addressing Environmental Issues
Positive change starts with local communities. Be a part of the local Earth Law movement and make a real difference!
Meet Burnham Beeches: an Important Ecosystem Shaped by Traditional Farming
Learn about the unexpected importance and power of a special forest near London.
Dark Sky Reserve Networks Usher in Earth Law
Light pollution isn’t just missing out on stargazing. It has huge effects on ecology and conservation.
Young Doljanka River Defender Needs Your Help
Bosnia River Action Network Advocacy (BRANA) talks to Dženan Šašić, part of the fierce local movement resisting hydroelectric development on the Doljanka River in Slovenia.
Rights Recognition for the Caroni River in Trinidad and Tobago
Using Earth Law to protect the Caroni River and the environmental problems affecting Trinidad and Tobago.
Rights for Doljanka River in the Blue Heart of Europe
The fight for nature’s rights in the Balkans and why we need to save the Blue Heart of Europe.