Ableism and anti-environmentalism: Rights for Nature?!

I covered over the years different forms of ableism in my columns.  I covered in an earlier article ableism as it relates to the environment. This form of ableism is based on the attitude that humans are here to use nature as we see fit, as we are superior to nature due to our abilities. In its transhumanized version two techno solutions rather than a change in human behavior are seen as the solution for coping with, or the elimination of, climate change:

1.  the transhumanization of humans -- the adaptation of the human body so it can cope with the climate changes, and
2. geoengineering -- further change of the environment.

In this column I want to highlight a recent development that shows a different way.  Ecuador ratified in September a new constitution in which the relationship of humans to nature is outlined. Articles 71-74 can be interpreted as giving rights to nature.  I provide below a translation from the blog Green Change (I changed the numbering and some order to make the translation adhere to the Spanish original).    

Chapter: Rights for Nature

Art. 71. Nature or Pachamama [a goddess revered by the indigenous people of the Andes -- “Mother Earth”], where life is reproduced and exists, has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution. Every person, people, community or nationality, will be able to demand the recognitions of rights for nature before public authorities. The application and interpretation of these rights will comply with the principles established in the Constitution. The State will provide incentive for natural and juridical persons, as well as collectives, to protect nature; it will promote respect towards all the elements that form an ecosystem.

Art. 72. Nature has the right to an integral restoration. This integral restoration is independent of the obligation on natural and juridical persons or the State to indemnify the people and the collectives that depend on the natural systems. In the cases of severe or permanent environmental impact, including the ones caused by the exploitation on non renewable natural resources, the State will establish the most efficient mechanisms for the restoration, and will adopt adequate measures to eliminate or mitigate the harmful environmental consequences.

Art. 73. The State will apply measures of precaution and restriction in all the activities that can lead to the extinction of species, the destruction of the ecosystems or the permanent alteration of the natural cycles. The introduction of organisms and organic and inorganic material that can alter in a definitive way the national genetic patrimony is prohibited.

Art. 74. Persons, people, communities and nationalities will have the right to benefit from the environment and form natural wealth that will allow wellbeing. Environmental services will not be subject to appropriation; its production, provision, use and exploitation, will be regulated by the State.

The Original

Capítulo séptimo
Derechos de la naturaleza

Art. 71.- La naturaleza o Pacha Mama, donde se reproduce y realiza la vida, tiene derecho a que se respete integralmente su existencia y el mantenimiento y regeneración de sus ciclos vitales, estructura, funciones y procesos evolutivos. Toda persona, comunidad, pueblo o nacionalidad podrá exigir a la autoridad pública el cumplimiento de los derechos de la naturaleza. Para aplicar e interpretar estos derechos se observaran los principios establecidos en la Constitución, en lo que proceda. El Estado incentivará a las personas naturales y jurídicas, y a los colectivos, para que protejan la naturaleza, y promoverá el respeto a todos los elementos que forman un ecosistema.

Art. 72.- La naturaleza tiene derecho a la restauración. Esta restauración será independiente de la obligación que tienen el Estado y las personas naturales o jurídicas de Indemnizar a los individuos y colectivos que dependan de los sistemas naturales afectados. En los casos de impacto ambiental grave o permanente, incluidos los ocasionados por la explotación de los recursos naturales no renovables, el Estado establecerá los mecanismos más eficaces para alcanzar la restauración, y adoptará las medidas adecuadas para eliminar o mitigar las consecuencias ambientales nocivas.

Art. 73.- EI Estado aplicará medidas de precaución y restricción para las actividades que puedan conducir a la extinción de especies, la destrucción de ecosistemas o la alteración permanente de los ciclos naturales. Se prohíbe la introducción de organismos y material orgánico e inorgánico que puedan alterar de manera definitiva el patrimonio genético nacional.

Art. 74.- Las personas, comunidades, pueblos y nacionalidades tendrán derecho a beneficiarse del ambiente y de las riquezas naturales que les permitan el buen vivir. Los servicios ambientales no serán susceptibles de apropiación; su producción, prestación, uso y aprovechamiento serán regulados por el Estado.

The Choice is Yours:

I leave you with three articles here, here , and here that provide further information and reflection on this approach of dealing with nature. I think its worthwhile to monitor how if at a all the language of the constitution will be employed.