Rights of Nature is an international movement dedicated to a paradigm shift from our current system, which views nature as property or resources to be used for human consumption, to one deserving of respect and rights similar to those of humans (and, in the United States, corporations). This means a river, mountain range, forest, watersheds, or ocean could have the right to exist and flourish without human-caused disruption, granting them legal standing so people and communities could defend those rights in court on behalf of the ecosystem. It recognizes that earth systems and humans are interconnected and dependent on each other.
RON aims to shift culture and environmental governance from an exploitative, human-centered (anthropocentric) approach to an eco-centric one. Rights of Nature Western New York (RON WNY) is a group of people who are advocating for this shift in how we relate to our world through community rights, the responsibilities we have to our world and future generations, and practices that deepen our relationship with place. Most importantly, we advocate for a societal change from our current "business as usual" model to one that affirms ALL life. If you are interested in joining us, please email [email protected].
This partnership is one of Western New York Environmental Alliance's most recent projects to fulfill its mission of using collective action, collaboration, and campaigns to protect, conserve, manage, and restore healthy, resilient, thriving ecosystems and communities in Western New York.
Also, please share with us: What do YOU think WNY could look and feel like if we recognized the rights of nature, and treated Mother Earth with the dignity and respect that we extend to humans and corporations? Rights of Nature, while not new in the grand scheme of all of life, is new to our consumerist culture, and we are all part in shaping what it could look like. We are collecting inspiring futures to share on social media and with our communities as we work towards bringing this into reality.
RON aims to shift culture and environmental governance from an exploitative, human-centered (anthropocentric) approach to an eco-centric one. Rights of Nature Western New York (RON WNY) is a group of people who are advocating for this shift in how we relate to our world through community rights, the responsibilities we have to our world and future generations, and practices that deepen our relationship with place. Most importantly, we advocate for a societal change from our current "business as usual" model to one that affirms ALL life. If you are interested in joining us, please email [email protected].
This partnership is one of Western New York Environmental Alliance's most recent projects to fulfill its mission of using collective action, collaboration, and campaigns to protect, conserve, manage, and restore healthy, resilient, thriving ecosystems and communities in Western New York.
Also, please share with us: What do YOU think WNY could look and feel like if we recognized the rights of nature, and treated Mother Earth with the dignity and respect that we extend to humans and corporations? Rights of Nature, while not new in the grand scheme of all of life, is new to our consumerist culture, and we are all part in shaping what it could look like. We are collecting inspiring futures to share on social media and with our communities as we work towards bringing this into reality.
We aim to shift awareness and relationship to the more-than-human world by attuning to our place through events and stories. Check out our event list and StoryMap below.
Join us for our next event:
Great Lakes and State Waters Bill of Rights
Assemblymember Patrick Burke proposed the Great Lakes and State Waters Bill of Rights (a.k.a. "Great Lakes Bill of Rights) to the NYS Assembly to secure the right for the Great Lakes ecosystems, as well as the watersheds and ecosystems throughout NYS, to exist, flourish, regenerate when disturbed, and naturally evolve. Sign on to this letter of support or contact your assemblymember or state senator and ask them to support and co-sponsor Bill Number A05156: Great Lakes and State Waters Bill of Rights.
Learn more about the Rights of Naure:
Great Lakes Now: Should Nature Have Rights?
Rights of Nature FAQs
The State of the Rights of Nature
Webinar series on NY Bill and Rights of Nature
The Great Lakes Pulse (info about the Great Lakes)
The Rights of the Great Lakes
Rights of Nature Webinar
The Environment Is Under Attack: The Rights of Nature Movement Can Save It (Rolling Stone Article)
Great Lakes Now: Should Nature Have Rights?
Rights of Nature FAQs
The State of the Rights of Nature
Webinar series on NY Bill and Rights of Nature
The Great Lakes Pulse (info about the Great Lakes)
The Rights of the Great Lakes
Rights of Nature Webinar
The Environment Is Under Attack: The Rights of Nature Movement Can Save It (Rolling Stone Article)