Rights for Nature
“Rights for Nature” chapter of the Ecuador constitution reads: “Nature or Pachamama, 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 the public bodies.” -The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund
Recently passed in the Ecuador constitution was a clause that included the above text. As Neil Armstrong once said as he set foot on a lifeless moon, “This is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Wow! Even a step further than our Party for the Animals that was elected into our parliament 2 years ago. Their philosophy: a society will only be truly civilized if it takes good care of not only its people, but alsot its animals and the environment.
In a way its nice that the country that has the islands where Darwin came up with his ideas for his Evolutian theory within its boundaries, introduced this into their constitution, and are leading the world in this aspect.
Pachamama, actually 'mother nature', is a concept or belief that is widespread amongst the natives in western southern America (andes region mostly). Many natives in Bolivia and Southern Peru worship nature and its elements. Mountains, rocks, sun and moon are seen as Gods. I can certainly recommend reading about this, cause it leads to taking care of your surroundings, and not just yourself.
June 13th, 2009 at 3:22 pm