Another “quick takes” on items where there is too little to say to make a complete article, but is still important enough to comment on.
The focus this time: Rights for “Nature” come at the expense of actual rights for humans.
First, a little mood music:
Carrying on…
Remember when National Geographic was about tribal boobies? Now they’re all in on “Nature Rights”.
“Today, the National Geographic Society, in collaboration with The Alfred Kobacker and Elizabeth Trimbach Fund, are proud to announce For Nature. Announcement of the new program comes in anticipation of the celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, (May 22). For Nature will support National Geographic Explorer Callie Veelenturf’s vision to advance the Rights of Nature movement and provide funding for ten Explorer projects to advance this work.
“The Rights of Nature movement seeks to bring rights-based legal protection to threatened and endangered species and habitats. Under the newly-launched For Nature program, this movement will be further catalyzed and expanded with the help of the Society’s global community of researchers and conservationists, storytelling and education expertise, technology and communications support and elevation opportunities to drive the impact of this work and grow the movement for species and habitat protections.”
A bill has been introduced to the U.K. to establish “Nature Rights” as “foundational” and taking precedence in a “hierarchy” of rights.
“The “Nature’s Rights Bill 2026” is as radical as it is long. It recognizes “Nature” (capital N) as “a legal subject and rights bearing entity” that essentially includes everything that exists on the planet:
“‘“Nature” means the interconnected community of living organisms, ecosystems, habitats, species, landscapes, seascapes, geological processes, waters, soils, atmosphere, climate systems and natural cycles, including the evolutionary and regenerative dynamics of life on Earth.’
“…
“Build a house? That requires wood, harvested from trees that have the ‘right to exist, persist, and evolve.’ Drive a car? You have violated Nature’s right ‘to be free from pollution’ and to properly maintained ‘climatic‘”’ cycles and processes. (This is key!) The list would be infinite.
“A ‘hierarchy’ of rights would be established, with Nature’s being ‘foundational’ — i.e., taking precedence over human needs, while eclipsing productive economic activities and eroding property rights:
“‘The Framework establishes a nested hierarchy of rights under which—(a) the rights of Nature are foundational; (b) human rights are to be protected and fulfilled within the ecological conditions necessary for life; and c) economic, corporate and property rights are to be exercised within, and in a manner that supports rather than undermines, the rights of Nature and human rights. . . .’
“‘In applying this section, decision-makers must not treat the rights of Nature as merely one interest to be balanced horizontally against competing economic interests but must apply the nested hierarchy stablished by the Framework.”
The full legislation can be read here, or below:
Final Uk Natures Rights Bill (for Tabling) by ThePoliticalHat
Surprisingly, Oregon voters defeated a “Nature Rights” measure.
“Voters in Oregon’s Lane County have overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative that would have allowed residents to file lawsuits against alleged polluters on behalf of watersheds.
“Measure 20-373, which would have created a ‘watershed bill of rights’ in the county, received about 63% “no” votes compared to 34% ‘yes’ votes among 58,000 ballots cast during the May 19 election.”
TTFN.
