Bolivia Set to Pass Historic 'Law of Mother Earth' Which Will Grant Nature Equal Rights to Humans

[BridgeTheGap]

With the cooperation of politicians and grassroots organizations, Bolivia is set to pass the Law of Mother Earth, which will grant nature the same rights and protections as humans. The piece of legislation, called la Ley de Derechos de la Madre Tierra, is intended to encourage a radical shift in conservation attitudes and actions, to enforce new control measures on industry, and to reduce environmental destruction.

The law redefines natural resources as blessings and confers the same rights to nature as to human beings, including: 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. Perhaps the most controversial point is the right "to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that affect the balance of ecosystems and the local inhabitant communities".

In late 2005 Bolivia elected its first indigenous president, Evo Morales. Morales is an outspoken champion for environmental protection, petitioning for substantive change within his country and at the United Nations. Bolivia, one of South America's poorest countries, has long had to contend with the consequences of destructive industrial practices and climate change, but despite the best efforts of Morales and members of his administration, their concerns have largely been ignored at the UN.

Just last year, in 2010, Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca expressed his distress "about the inadequacy of the greenhouse gas reduction commitments made by developed countries in the Copenhagen Accord." His remarks were punctuated by the claim that some experts forecasted a temperature increase "as high as four degrees above pre-industrial levels." "The situation is serious," Choquehuanca asserted. "An increase of temperature of more than one degree above pre-industrial levels would result in the disappearance of our glaciers in the Andes, and the flooding of various islands and coastal zones."

http://www.pvpulse.com/en/news/world-news/bolivia-set-to-pass-historic-law-of-mother-earth-which-will-grant-nature-equal-rights-to-humans?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dda7a21dbc21584%2C0

[johnroshan]

1. Thats amazing!!

I just hope that this actually carries some weight and helps in actively curbing industry excesses.

[zazen]

2. and SCOTUS gives corporations equal rights--says it all

The same teabaggers who will decry Bolivia's behavior as bizarre socialistic nonsense think nothing of the direct and indirect deaths spawned by the historical monstrosity of corporate personhood.

[txlibdem]

3. Viva Evo!

Wouldn't it be great if our country had a leader who focuses on benefits for the people and not on enhancing corporate profits.

[BridgeTheGap]

4. Now that would be down-right un-American! ;-) n/t

[txlibdem]

5. That's the media line alright

But that's not surprising since the mass media is owned by wealthy psychopaths, including 90% of AM radio talk stations.

[GliderGuider]

6. You tell me that it's "Evo"-lution,

Well you know,
We all want to change the world...

Congratulations of the highest order and phylum to Bolivia!