Nature’s Rights
Green Christian has just signed up as a supporter organisation of the Statement supporting the Nature’s Rights Bill campaign.
Green Christian member, Judith Russenberger, explains why we joined.
The Nature’s Rights Bill arises from an emergency situation in which policies – both within government and within businesses and institutions – do not pay due regard to the importance of Nature for our continued thriving and wellbeing. Its purpose is not simply to add another environmental policy, but to change the legal architecture within which decisions affecting Nature are made.
Nature is not a “nice to have” extra, but a core essential for a flourishing economy and society. Nature cannot be offset in favour of planning gain – an extra cycle path does not compensate for the loss of bats. Nature cannot be sidelined against maximising food production – more milk will not compensate for the loss of pollinators. Nature cannot be disregarded in favour of technological advancement – data centres will not compensate for the loss of river-life.
Nature has an immense value that our systems do not comprehend, and which our legal structures do not adequately recognise.
The Bill aims to ensure that the supreme importance of Nature forms the basis of a dependency hierarchy:
Nature is the living foundation.
Human societies exist within Nature.
Economies exist within society.
Further, the Bill will give Nature legal rights – the right to exist, flourish, regenerate, evolve and be restored – and establish legal duties that will protect, preserve and restore Nature, and prevent actions that degrade Nature.
Is this a case of the political world catching up with the faith world?
Genesis 1 asserts the goodness of Nature and its God-given calling to flourish and be fruitful. A particular role of responsibility is placed upon humankind (see Green Christian blog for a deeper exploration of this topic).
In Genesis 2 (a second creation story) God first commissions Adam to serve and protect the Garden of Eden, and then creates all manner of creatures – animals, birds, insects etc – to help in this task.
Other writers – such as Isaiah and the psalmists – attest to the personhood of trees and plants, hills and mountains, sea creatures and oceans, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, such that all praise and revere God.
The wisdom of the law in Deuteronomy, examples how humankind should care for and ensure the productivity of the land.
Jesus in his teachings reminds us of the absolute importance of every living creature – from the smallest sparrow – in God’s eyes, of the flourishing and inclusive capacity exampled by the mustard seed tree, of the interconnectedness of our lives with God exampled by the vine, and then as the ultimate parable, describes himself in terms of bread and wine – the work of human hands in harmony with Nature.
The words of St Francis are regularly sung declaring the personhood of all creation – Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Mother Earth and Brother Wind. And his namesake Pope Francis exhorted us to recognise the interconnectedness of creation and our role within – not outside – that richness to care for and be cared for by Nature.
Yes indeed, this Bill seeks to ensure in legal terms what we as Christians have always known. Humans are co-occupants with Nature in this world and have duty of care towards Nature and duty of thanksgiving for all the ways in which we benefit from Nature’s bounty.
Judith Russenberger is a member of Green Christian and writes a blog greentau.org
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