Published by Dongallive November 23, 2021.
Donegal County Council could make a little bit of history at its meeting on Monday next when it can become thew first local authority in the republic of Ireland to endorse a call to rethink our relationship with nature.
The motion is being submitted by Inishowen councillor, Albert Doherty, on behalf of the Donegal branch of the Rights of Nature Campaign and the Gathering which is an all-island network of environmental and community campaign groups.
The Donegal motion comes on the back of neighbouring councils Derry City and Strabane District Council and Fermanagh-Omagh District Council having debated and passed similar motions in recent months.
“Recognising that all of Nature, not just the human part, has rights, is a great place to begin.”
-local representative, Rose Kelly
Several other council regions including Belfast and Newry and Down are also at various stages of incorporating the Rights of Nature concept into their policies and practices.
In doing so, these councils and the communities that they represent, are becoming part of a rapidly growing Earth wide phenomenon.
James Orr of environmental organisation Friends of the Earth who are strong supporters of the campaign commented on this latest development.
“In the United States, Ecuador, India and New Zealand and many other countries there is a growing recognition that in order to adequately respond to climate breakdown and widespread damage to nature we must recognise the interdependency of all life on the planet including human life.
“The Blue Mountain City Council in Australia has pioneered this approach and this motion draws from their recent experience. Within the European Union there is a growing debate recognising the Rights of Nature.
“Essentially Rights of Nature is a way of rethinking our relationship with nature – from one of dominance to one of sharing, caring, respect and interdependency.
“It can also act as a catalyst to shift our thinking from an extractive economy towards a regenerative economy. The idea of nature having rights is not new.
“Nature has rights. What is new is how we can intervene using a rights of nature lens to protect nature and to recognise the intrinsic rights of ecosystems and species to evolve, flourish and regeneratem” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Rights of Nature Campaign in Donegal, local representative, Rose Kelly, said the motion coming before council on Monday next presents a vital opportunity for Donegal County Council to be an environmental leader by becoming the first council in the Republic of Ireland to recognise that Nature has rights…
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