The Law of Mother Earth: Behind Bolivia's Historic Bill

[G_j]

http://www.truth-out.org/law-mother-earth-behind-bolivias-historic-bill/1303481011

The Law of Mother Earth: Behind Bolivia's Historic Bill

Friday 22 April 2011
by: Nick Buxton, YES! Magazine

Indigenous and campesino (small-scale farmer) movements in the Andean nation of Bolivia are on the verge of pushing through one of the most radical environmental bills in global history. The "Mother Earth" law under debate in Bolivia's legislature will almost certainly be approved, as it has already been agreed to by the majority governing party, Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS).

The law draws deeply on indigenous concepts that view nature as a sacred home, the Pachamama (Mother Earth) on which we intimately depend. As the law states, “Mother Earth is a living dynamic system made up of the undivided community of all living beings, who are all interconnected, interdependent and complementary, sharing a common destiny.”

The lawwould give nature legal rights, specifically the rights to life and regeneration, biodiversity, water, clean air, balance, and restoration. Bolivia's law mandates a fundamental ecological reorientation of Bolivia's economy and society, requiring all existing and future laws to adapt to the Mother Earth law and accept the ecological limits set by nature. It calls for public policy to be guided by Sumaj Kawsay (an indigenous concept meaning“living well,” or living in harmony with nature and people), rather than the current focus on producing more goods and stimulating consumption.

In practical terms, the law requires the government to transition from non-renewable to renewable energy; to develop new economic indicators that will assess the ecological impact of all economic activity; to carry out ecological audits of all private and state companies; to regulate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; to develop policies of food and renewable energy sovereignty; to research and invest resources in energy efficiency, ecological practices, and organic agriculture; and to require all companies and individuals to be accountable for environmental contamination with a duty to restore damaged environments.


..more..

[Mojeoux]

1. It's as legitimate as any other religious declaration any where in the world..

And should be considered with as much respect.

[99th_Monkey]

2. I fail to see anything very "religious" about this.

After all, it is a scientifically varifiable fact that the more we fuck with Mother Nature (via toxic spills, fracking, nuclear wastes and "mishaps", etc.), the more we put ourselves at risk of virtual extinction.

[Richard D]

3. Totally agree

Above all it's a statement of respect for nature and out place within it. All of the stipulations in the bill look damn good to me and I can only hope other nations will follow in Bolivia's footsteps.

[G_j]

5. yes, science certainly supports this. nt

[Mojeoux]

7. Mother Nature is my religion

and Mother Nature has no problems with science.

My particular branch of this religion is called "Kayak-ee-ism." No paperwork, just floating on water.

[Enthusiast]

11. But but but

where would one tithe?

[99th_Monkey]

14. I generally make a distinction between religion and spirituality.

and associate Mother Nature, paganism, et. al. with the latter (and the likes of the Catholic Church, or pretty much any conventional church) with the former.

Not being one to quibble over words, however; I see no problem with your using the word religion however you wish.

[bvar22]

4. My Wife & I absolutely agree.

:toast:
The Reforms sweeping across South/Central America and unreported (or demonized) in the MSM (and by the Leadership of BOTH Political parties) gives us "hope" for the World.

"The worst enemy of humanity is U.S. capitalism. That is what provokes uprisings like our own, a rebellion against a system, against a neoliberal model, which is the representation of a savage capitalism. If the entire world doesn't acknowledge this reality, that nation states are not providing even minimally for health, education and nourishment, then each day the most fundamental human rights are being violated."
----Bolivian Reform President Evo Morales

Viva Morales
Viva Democracy
I hope we get some here soon!

[G_j]

6. a ray of hope

for me also,

and of course, completely ignored..
:banghead:

[niyad]

8. not completely ignored. DN did good coverage of the people's summit, for one.

ignored by the msm, though, that is for sure.

and other postings about this have been met with some less-than-pleased comments.

[G_j]

12. yes, I know

DN is always the exception. The very best!

[niyad]

9. delete, responded to wrong post

[Enthusiast]

10. This is a wonderful concept.

"It calls for public policy to be guided by Sumaj Kawsay (an indigenous concept meaning“living well,” or living in harmony with nature and people), rather than the current focus on producing more goods and stimulating consumption."

That current focus on 'producing more goods and stimulating consumption' is insane considering the world wide level of environmental degradation. We need new and refreshing concepts, even if they are old concepts.

[felix_numinous]

13. K&R

Adapt to change or die, to paraphrase Darwin. The natural world is dynamic and changing, we either live in symbiosis with the living ecosphere or we perish.