Shoshanna McCollum’s Post

What David Boyd says about a human right to a healthy environment is applicable to our “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” amendment. “Many efforts to achieve climate and environmental justice,” he states, “are David and Goliath struggles. The opponents of progress are powerful, wealthy elites with vested interests in prolonging the status quo because it benefits them immensely.” https://lnkd.in/esy5neBY, our supporting organizations, and every voter who has and who will sign our petition, are David. Powerful industries (more so than wealthy elites) and the pollution politics they impose upon our environmental regulatory system are Goliath. “The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” Mr. Boyd continues, “could be a mere paper tiger, a set of inspiring words that are inscribed in resolutions and laws, yet rarely acted upon. But in most [nations], it should be a mighty lion with a resounding roar.” Once enshrined in our state constitution, that’s what our “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” can be—a “mighty lion with a resounding roar.” Read more! https://lnkd.in/ewRXwuH8

In "Rights of Nature and Tribal Sovereignty: Protecting Natural Communities, Wild Rice, and Salmon in the United States," Julianna Smith discusses the growth of the international Rights of Nature movement. Julianna provides an in-depth analysis of emerging legal frameworks that are poised to have intersectional impacts both for tribal sovereignty and environmental protection. https://lnkd.in/gHHanwEm

In "Rights of Nature and Tribal Sovereignty: Protecting Natural Communities, Wild Rice, and Salmon in the United States," Julianna Smith discusses the growth of the international Rights of Nature movement. Julianna provides an in-depth analysis of emerging legal frameworks that are poised to have intersectional impacts both for tribal sovereignty and environmental protection. https://lnkd.in/gHHanwEm

Dive into the #WILD12 resolution ‘Empowering Ecological Outcomes by Honoring Treaties’! ➡️ Indigenous Peoples, including the Oceti Sakowin Oyate, have signed treaties recognizing their inherent sovereignty. ⚠️ Currently, the Oceti Sakowin Oyate occupy less than 2 million acres as national governments violate these #treaties, negatively impacting their communities and the environment. For instance, the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) was approved in 2016 on treaty lands, threatening sacred rivers. 📣  For this reason, the resolution calls for respecting and enforcing all treaties with Indigenous Peoples, resolving disputes as equals, and restoring the primacy of traditional laws of Indigenous Nations in national constitutions and courts. 🔗 Learn more about the #resolution: https://lnkd.in/dF9sigMm #Forthewild

Great news! We in the #Caspian region must also make every effort to ensure that countries make increased commitments to the conservation of the #Caspianbiota. It is an extremely complex task, given the commodity-oriented economies, historical pollution, sea level decline and many other things. We believe that the professional community has already developed an understanding of the urgent steps to be taken. First and foremost, we must raise #AwarenessOfTheCaspianSea by ensuring that information is collected and analysed from all existing and prospective tools.

#URIGSO alum Anupa Asokan, M.O. ’12, M.B.A. ’12, founded a new organization called Fish On to represent conservation-minded anglers and spearfishers in ocean policy. She also independently published a new paper, “Marine protected areas as a tool for environmental justice,” that challenges our current ocean management system and outlines the opportunity of marine protected areas as a tool for environmental justice. ➡️ Learn more about Anupa’s work in her interview with Angelo Villagomez of Southern Fried Science: https://buff.ly/40Pr3DU

A historic win for all! 💚🙌💙 European Union countries have adopted a landmark law, the first of its kind, to restore: 👉At least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 - for marine ecosystems, this includes seagrass and sponge and coral beds, among others 👉All ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050 Read more: https://ow.ly/2nw550SkXF8

The Global Alliance to spare water from armed conflict: An innovative Tool for Peacebuilding  (20th of June)   Outline of the Session Looking at the protection of freshwater and water, sanitation and health services (WASH in conflict and post-conflict situations, the panel will discuss the importance/role of a global alliance to spare water from armed conflicts. The alliance aims to galvanise efforts that will ultimately safeguard the life and human dignity of civilian populations. In particular, the Session will focus on analysing the gaps we need to address to promote and ensure respect for international law protecting freshwater, water-related installations and other essential services collated under the Geneva Principles on the protection of water infrastructure (Geneva Principles), the International Law Commission’s Principles on protection of the environment in relation to armed conflicts (PERAC Principles) and the ICRC Guidelines on the protection of the natural environment in armed conflict. Speakers will also address potential ways forward to ensure a better implementation of existing rules and possible innovative solutions to protect freshwater and WASH services from the consequences of armed conflicts. The panel will also highlight the importance of integrating environmental peacebuilding within the triple nexus framework to increase resilience in times of conflict and post-conflict situations and to preserve human dignity. for this discussion we have the pleasure to have the contributions of key experts: -Erika Weinthal, Duke University -Wim Zwijnenburg, PAX -Tobias Von Lossow, Cliengaendael institute/IHE Delft -Tadesse Kebebew, Geneva Water Hub -Tanja Miskova, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Slovenia -Michiko Fukase, UNICEF

History whispers through treaties, rivers murmur stories of broken promises, and ancestral lands bear the scars of injustice. But a powerful voice is rising ✊: Environmental Justice must recognize the unique legal and natural connection of Native Peoples to the land ️, as affirmed by treaties, agreements, and covenants (signed, but often broken ). This principle honors the inherent sovereignty and self-determination of Indigenous Nations 🪶, a right enshrined in these agreements. It's time to mend the past and ensure environmental justice for all! Read more about The Principle of Environmental Justice 11 here: https://buff.ly/3XrOd1I #EnvironmentalJustice #IndigenousRights

This is a short article, but it captures the need for genuine conversation and listening between the different groups, communities, and individuals involved with the reintroduction (rewilding) of species (especially carnivores). People may have many reasons to support or oppose the reintroduction and protection of wolves in their landscape. These opinions and feelings are an important part of the discussion, as are the science and policy. It takes dedication to connect with all of the groups connected to this issue, hear what they have to say, and create a space for productive conversation about a way forward that is a net positive for all parties involved. Breaking down these barriers will be difficult, but in the long run, they will be fruitful.