(1) Environmental Restoration & The Rights of Nature

Humanity’s Most Precious Resource

• 1.1 Rights of Nature
• 1.2 Recognized Natural Entities
• 1.3 Commitments to Ecosystem Restoration
• 1.4 Preventing Ecocide
• 1.5 Rivers & Their Legal Rights
• 1.6 Endangered Species
• 1.7 National Parks & Conservation

1.1 Rights of Nature

1.1.1 National Constitutions that acknowledge the rights of nature, including forests, and grant legal standing to ecosystems to ensure their protection:

• 1.1.1.1 The Constitution of Ecuador (Articles 395-415)
• 1.1.1.1.1 The constitution of Ecuador in articles 395 to 415 cover the subjects of natural resources and biodiversity. This section of the constitution of this nation is the first of its kind to cover the rights of nature and enumerate them in such a detailed way.
• 1.1.1.2 The Constitution of Bolivia (Rights of Mother Earth, Articles 342-409)
• 1.1.1.2.1 Article 342 to 409 of the Bolivian constitution under title 2 (Environment, Natural Resources, Land and Territory).
• 1.1.1.3 Maori Customary Law recognizes natural entities as legal persons.

1.2 Recognized Natural Entities

These entities have been legally recognized with rights:

• 1.2.1 Tamaqua Borough, Pennsylvania (2006)
• 1.2.2 Towns of Barnstead & Nottingham, New Hampshire (2008)
• 1.2.3 Mora County, New Mexico (2013)
• 1.2.4 US State of Colorado (2014)
• 1.2.5 Rio Atrato, Colombia (2016)
• 1.2.6 Mexico City, Mexico (2017)
• 1.2.7 The Colombian Amazon (2018)
• 1.2.8 The Colombian Plata River, Uganda, Lake Erie, Rivers in Bangladesh (2019)
• 1.2.9 Lake Tota, Colombia (2020)

1.3 Commitments to Ecosystem Restoration

• 1.3.1 Honor the interconnected ecosystems and prevent exploitation.
• 1.3.2 Support land reclamation for unlawfully taken resources.
• 1.3.3 Promote community-led restoration practices and mapping of ecosystems.
• 1.3.4 Advocate for reforestation with native and endangered species.
• 1.3.5 Shift economic incentives away from extractive industries.
• 1.3.6 Recognize the inherent value of the natural world beyond its monetary worth.

1.4 Preventing Ecocide

• 1.4.1 Ecocide (the destruction of nature and ecosystems) must be criminalized globally.
• 1.4.2 Governments must collectively ratify & enforce ecocide laws.
• 1.4.3 Offer regenerative alternatives for companies harming ecosystems.
• 1.4.4 Develop community-based economic programs near pristine ecosystems to prevent exploitation.

1.5 Rivers & Their Legal Rights

The rivers that sustain life must have the right to exist, persist, and regenerate:

• 1.5.1 Vilcabamba River (Ecuador)
• 1.5.2 Ganges & Yamuna Rivers (India)
• 1.5.3 Whanganui River Settlement Act (2017) (New Zealand)
• 1.5.4 Atrato River Legal Declaration (Colombia)
• 1.5.5 Yarra River Protection Act (2017) (Australia)
• 1.5.6 Maranon River (Peru)
• 1.5.7 Rio Blanco (Costa Rica)
• 1.5.8 Rio Atrato (Colombia)
• 1.5.9 Eklutna River (United States – Recognized by state court)

1.6 Endangered Species

• 1.6.1 Laws and protections must prioritize biodiversity.
• 1.6.2 Habitat conservation must take precedence over development.
• 1.6.3 Endangered species must be treated as legal persons to ensure their protection.

1.7 National Parks & Conservation

• 1.7.1 Recognition of Nature's Rights
• 1.7.1.1 National parks should be recognized as legal persons with rights.
• 1.7.1.2 Indigenous knowledge must be integrated into conservation strategies.
• 1.7.1.3 Collaboration & Stakeholder Involvement: Ensure local communities, Indigenous peoples, and conservationists are involved in decision-making.
• 1.7.2 Sustainable Use & Cultural Significance
• 1.7.2.1 Parks should protect cultural heritage and spiritual traditions.
• 1.7.2.2 Sustainable economic opportunities must be developed without exploitation.
• 1.7.2.3 Access & Use Rights: Indigenous communities must be guaranteed access to ancestral lands for cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes.
• 1.7.3 Adaptive Management & Fair Governance
• 1.7.3.1 Implement monitoring systems to track human impact.
• 1.7.3.2 Ensure transparent governance and community accountability.
• 1.7.3.3 Prioritize education, capacity-building, and benefit-sharing for local communities.