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Why Mother Nature Has More Powerful Legal Rights

Is it possible for the entire modern civilization to ban together and pledge equal rights for Mother Nature? No, but keep reading! The design of the current economic system oppresses the poor. This has driven them to degrade giant swaths of protected land. As a result, deforestation is one of the biggest issues in dry, arid and poor countries. They have a choice to either expand a harvest or risk starving their family. So the choice becomes clear. Economic systems that pay farmers pennies a day have no rights. They are slaves that work every day to make a measly $200.00 a year.

Human rights are the basic freedom that belongs to every person. They’re shared human values which include dignity, fairness, respect, equality, and independence. However, there are forces in this world that don’t believe in rights. That is to say, there is a twisted vortex of greed, hate, sickness, and blatant disregard. It’s destroying the rights of hard-working people. Injustice and inhumane treatment have hurt not only humans but also the natural world.

Will it ever stop? It’s not an exaggeration when I say this is a question that millions perhaps billions of people ask! The unequal treatment of whole ecosystems is one of today’s biggest issues. It is society’s biggest social problem. It’s rooted in history so it will not be easy to change. There are thousands of tribes with different customs, religions, and beliefs. So, it seems near impossible to fix the racial biases that shape the world today. Colonialism has made the largest impact on human rights.

Colonialism vs Egalitarian

Today’s leaders seek a policy to govern the rights over people, territories, and things. This economic dominance so far has created a climate catastrophe. We cannot respect nature if there is rampant inequality. But, we do have it within ourselves to protect nature. There is a way of life that predates our modern state. These people are the hunter-gatherers, the more natural or Egalitarian people. They believe in governing with equal political, economic and social rights.

The core beliefs of a family represent mutual respect and fair treatment of one another. Respect that lays the foundation required for equality. Family members identify themselves as having the same social and economic caliber. All that’s needed is equality and education for stewardship to become a core value in the family system. Stewardship has long term benefits for social and economic order. It’s important to realize that it’s in the best interest of families, social order, and future generations. It’s in the best interest of Mother nature.

Mother Nature’s rights

There is an Egalitarian Tribal family that has sought to make a positive impact. It’s a change that will protect the rights of a natural ecosystem. In 2017 a tribe from New Zealand has changed the way people can treat a River. The Maori Tribe from the North Island won legal rights for the third-largest River in New Zealand. The legislature awarded them a victory because their case was strong. Instead of managing the river the law will now treat the river as an entity. The rights of the river are the same as the tribes. So for instance, fines and prosections will be given to those who dump or overfish. The law will try the offender with the same laws as an entity. The incredible process was the longest litigation in the country’s history.

The tribe’s core value recognizes the genealogy of the human race. As a matter of fact, molecules that form our bodies come from the Universe. So, rather us being a master of the natural world we are apart of it. This legal win will allow the Tribe to build a framework of the river’s new life. They say it is not an anti-development or anti-economic framework. But a core belief about how the future life of the river will run. This connection to the natural world runs deep with Indigenous people. The livelihood and general well being of future generations rely on the health of the river.

Work in progress

Something other than a person having human rights is an established idea. The definition of a “legal personality” is a common corporate practice. It distinguishes the legal obligations of the directors and shareholders. So, the theory is practiced in modern business. Once in effect the people, legislature and corporations must take it seriously. Advocate Mumta Ito, believes the current system is programmed for self-destruction. The legal system is the enabler.

“the only way we’ll be able to change things is to create a new operating system with nature’s rights at its core.”

mumta Ito founder of Nature’s Rights

However, the lives of those that live in a city or suburb don’t have the same connection to the environment. The desensitization of society’s polluting way has created a climate catastrophe. A lawyer named Neil Howlett says if this law is passed outside the cultural basis it will not work. Skeptics say dedicating personhood is an act of desperation to save a river. Regardless, indigenous Hunter-gatherers like the Maori tribe will steward the rights of mother nature. Co-existing conditions such as peaceful relations and the right to do business are however necessary. Indigenous people around the world should not be oppressed. Corporate greed and disregard for human rights can not offer us the change we need.

You can make a difference when it seems impossible. Mother nature needs your help.

Here is a list of things you can do to help.

Talk to family members: Give back to Nature. Often families look for ways to make quality time. Cleaning up a beach, garden, do your own juicing, plant a tree. There are many ways to bond and do good for the Planet.

Bake your own cookies: The palm oil that manufacturers use is devastating the Amazon rain forest’s habitats.

Buy Fairtrade Chocolate: This program is designed to give locals (farmers) and their families sustainable incomes and working conditions.

Support initiatives led by Indigenous Tribes or support a non-profit advocacy group.

Check out these interesting stories and info on this topic!

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How The Climate Emergency Affects Your Money

money can't save their future

The climate crisis has put the world`s leaders on center stage. Their passive inaction on climate issues has created a movement. This social unrest has cast them into the public spotlight. To cope with the stress caused by the scrutinization from the public eye leaders have declared a CLIMATE EMERGENCY!

In 2016, the world declared the first climate emergency. Since then 25 countries have taken up the challenge. They`ve accepted and are now willing to mitigate the damage done. In 1979, Scientists held the first climate change summit. It then took 36 years for Governments to come together and prepare an agreement.

194 parties agreed to take action that would reduce threats related to global warming. For instance, rise in sea levels, drought, intense fires, and so on. So it’s no wonder why people are wondering what do we do now? What does this mean for me? How will the government`s actions prevent a catastrophe?

The Climate Emergency

Climate Projections

In the past 12,000 years, Earth’s temperatures adjusted plus or minus one degree. Yet, in the past 100 years, our planet’s atmosphere is on track for a projected four-degree warming trend. Scientists believe the earth had experienced this temperature 4 million years ago. But we don’t know what the world looked like back then.

The Intergovernmental Panel of Climate change states that any temperature rise over 4 degrees will lead to “substantial species extinction”. By 2100, they expect to hit the 3 or 4-degree target. At that point, they believe the world’s agriculture system will collapse. The projected population is 11 billion people by 2100. So the threat of no food is why more people should be worried about the climate crisis.

Drought and Social Unrest

Inaction is not an option, it will only make matters worse. The destruction of ecosystems and species is not just our doing. The heat caused by global warming will not be stopped. There is no switch that can be flicked or dial that can be turned. We will watch helplessly and hope for rain. Like children in a war zone, we’ll slowly die. Not because of bullets, but because of heat, food and water scarcity.

Today the hotter regions of the Earth have politics governed by food and water scarcity. The land is protected by force, and walls are built by hatred and anger. For example, Nasa measured the groundwater in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers between 2003 and 2009. They found it had lost water faster than any other place in the world. While the Scientists were watching water levels drop political experts noticed tensions rising in the region. Drought caused thousands to become angry and together they began a revolution in Syria.

Canadian Contributions

Every time we go to the mall and buy something we’re taking from the supply chain. Think about all the energy it took to get there. The raw materials mined or created in a laboratory take energy to produce.

Then we ship raw materials and manufacture them into goods overseas. Next, they`re shipped back, trucked, flown or put on a train to locations across Canada. The chemicals and gases it takes to create these man-made products eventually get released into the environment.

So when we make a purchase it directly affects the CO2 in the atmosphere. We`re burning Fossil fuels to mine, log, process, ship, and ship again. In the past, this logistically has worked. But we`ve had fewer people on Earth. So, our economy can`t work without dire consequences.

Carbon Taxing

If people are not willing to change their ways then the government has no choice. They must step in and do it for us. The Canadian government implemented a Carbon tax to Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. What are they doing with our Carbon tax dollars?

From the government`s perspective, the best way to address the cost of climate change is to tax us. Like taxing cigarettes it nudges people to make a change if it costs them more. Once the government taxed cigarettes people vowed to quit and sales decreased. A collaborative government agreement was signed to keep climate change in check. However, they can’t change the GHG emissions without the support of the public.

Environment Canada states, by 2020 the Climate tax will have removed 50-60 Megatonnes of Carbon from the air annually. If their calculations are correct it is effective. This effectively reduces emissions by 12% each year. British Columbia introduced the Carbon tax in 2008. According to a 2018 report B.C. has the fastest growing economy in Canada! Coincidence?

Canadian Industry

The Federal government’s website shows the most significant reduction will come from Industry. Corporations haven`t spent money on innovative technologies on their own accord. They’re lured with a carrot to get them to think and act differently. Therefore, through taxation, the government enforces methane reduction in the oil and gas industry. 

The goal is to reduce emissions between 40-45% below 2012 levels by the year 2025. They’re allowing flexibilities while encouraging innovation of methane reductions. Canadian taxpayers have collectively reduced the potential compliance costs for the oil and gas industry. By more than 1 billion dollars…

One of the ways companies uses this money is by using cost-effective technology. For instance, they`re using drone planes with infrared cameras to detect gas leaks. If they know where the leak is then they’re able to fix it thus saving time and money. The Carbon tax is hotly debated because it`s misunderstood. But in the end, the Canadian government gives 90% of the tax dollars back to the public. They do this in the form of rebates to those that use transit, electric cars or smart home technology.

Change Matters

The Climate crisis is a term that politicians, activists, and scientists use to get our attention! If we wait we’ll struggle to cope with the warming atmosphere. Fortunately, there is still time. Feel a sense of relief knowing that you can make a difference.

Support a circular economy, drive alternative vehicles, eat a 100-mile diet. There are so many ways to live a more meaningful life. Small changes in everyday decisions will help the climate emergency. It is the betterment of those living in hot arid climates. Plus, it will promote a better life now and for the future. What will you do today that will make a difference for tomorrow?

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