PR: Earth Law Portal Launch

Legal Templates & Advocacy Tools to Save the Planet: Earth Law Portal Launches to Inspire Governments to Achieve Harmony with Nature in the Wake of Environmental Crisis 

EMBARGOED UNTIL: JULY 31, 2023 

Contacts: 
Grant Wilson (gwilson@earthlaw.org, 510 566 1063)
Kelsey Leonard (kleonard@earthlaw.org)
Rachel Bustamante (rbustamante@earthlaw.org)

New York, NY (July 27, 2023), Earth Law Center and partners proudly announce the soft launch of the Earth Law Portal, a groundbreaking digital platform designed to empower environmental advocacy and drive action for the protection and restoration of the planet. 

The Earth Law Portal will serve as a dynamic hub, providing accessible legal models, letters, videos, podcasts, reports, and other tools to empower communities, governments, and everyone to take action for Nature and the well-being of local communities. This innovative platform, set for an official launch during Climate Week in September 2023, ushers in a new era of environmental legal innovation, inviting global participation to lead a generation of Earth-centered laws that protect, restore, and stabilize the ecosystems in which all humans live in and are part of.  

The Earth Law Portal specifically advances the movement towards “Earth Law”—an emerging body of ecocentric law across the world that includes movements such as the Rights of Nature, rights of future generations, the criminalization of ecocide, guardianship of Nature, and Indigenous legalities. Earth Law represents a visionary body of law that seeks to evolve legal and governance systems to recognize our human responsibilities and interdependent relationship with the environment. 

Grant Wilson, Executive Director of Earth Law Center, expresses excitement about the Earth Law Portal and its potential to be a powerful force for positive change. “This platform serves as a vital resource for policymakers and government officials to access and enact transformative legal templates into legislation. It is also an inclusive and accessible space for collaboration and knowledge sharing, breaking down barriers and inspiring everyone to get involved.” 

The Earth Law Portal serves as a platform that showcases transformative legal movements and scales efforts by providing access to robust and effective legal models. These templates, drafted in collaboration with partners and inspired by emerging legal actions worldwide, have the power to make a significant impact, particularly as a growing number of governments consider evolving their legal system to better protect Nature. 

“The Earth Law Portal is like a fusion of LegalZoom’s access to templates and Avaaz’s advocacy tools, but with a clear mission to transform the legal system, granting Nature and future generations a voice in law," says Jonathon Keats, Principal Philosopher at Earth Law Center. "Its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface empower individuals to actively participate and create a positive impact."

For instance, policymakers might download a template resolution on recognizing the rights of the Southern Resident Orcas, a step that has already yielded significant results with five cities and three counties in Washington State and one city in Oregon passing such resolutions. Additionally, advocates can access template advocacy letters advocating for the rights of Orcas to be recognized. This real-world impact exemplifies the potential of Earth Law in action.

“​​Through engaging videos and a comprehensive literature review, the Earth Law Portal keeps users informed and offers insights into the latest advancements in Earth Law worldwide," says Ciara Shea, Attorney at Earth Law Center. "Moreover, its research and development section acts as a laboratory for sparking innovation and exploring new ideas to address the systemic environmental issues of the planet."

As part of Earth Law Center’s commitment to supporting the leadership of Indigenous Nations and communities in protecting Nature and mitigating the impacts of human-induced climate change, the Portal features an Indigenous Circle. This dedicated section serves as a platform to showcase legal models and strategies developed by and with Indigenous Peoples, rooted in the Indigenous legal systems and inherent relationship jurisprudence. 

“Ultimately the Indigenous Circle is a wonderful resource for Indigenous Nations and leaders to have a dedicated set of tools that they can deploy in defense of the sacred,” says Dr. Kelsey Leonard, Indigenous legal scholar and Director of Water Advocacy at Earth Law Center. 

“We recognize that Indigenous Peoples are at the forefront of biodiversity protection and conservation and ensuring that they have the necessary tools to succeed is a task Earth Law Center is committed to supporting and collaborating with communities to achieve.”  

One goal of the Earth Law Portal is to help the United States catch up to other governments that have embraced Earth Law movements in recent years. The U.S. was once a leader in the environmental law movement, passing a series of laws in the late-1960s and 1970s to protect air, water, and lands. However, recent political stagnation and shifting priorities have caused a decline in environmental commitments. Notably, the U.S. stands as the only country in the world yet to ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity, underscoring the urgency to renew our dedication to global environmental cooperation and conservation efforts. By amplifying cutting-edge efforts and partnering with organizations and allies to make best practices and resources accessible to all, the portal aims to reignite the nation's commitment to environmental protection and conservation. 

This, in turn, represents a significant milestone in the global journey towards a sustainable future. "In particular, I am thrilled to see how the Earth Law Portal can serve as a powerful catalyst to amplify legal progress for the Ocean both in the US and internationally," says Rachel Bustamante, Ocean Science and Policy Analyst of Earth Law Center. "For example, a featured template resolution supports the Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights, which could be passed at any level of government. This critical initiative can help align global governance by expressing the fundamental values we all share about the Ocean, fostering better protection and restoration measures for this life-sustaining ecosystem on Earth.”

To explore the Earth Law Portal and join the global movement to advocate for all life on Earth, visit www.earthlawportal.org/. 

About Earth Law Center

Earth Law Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to advance Earth-centered laws and policies that restore Nature to health. We advocate for a transformation in our legal, governance and economic systems, and the relationships, values, ethics and beliefs that create their foundation. Earth Law Center is a member of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, an expert and partner of the UN Harmony with Nature Initiative, and a member of the High Seas Alliance.