Ecocide law - the conversation goes global
Ecocide law - the conversation goes global
This month it’s all about the conversation:
remarkable media coverage:
TIME, The Guardian, The Economist, New Statesman, El Pais, Huffpost.escampaign expands: Aotearoa-New Zealand and Australia
in conversation with:
Indigenous voices in Canada
Patrick Alley of Global Witnessjust in from the US! Biden lifts sanctions on ICC
the power is in the word itself. It encapsulates the terrible extent of damage happening to the natural living world in so many ways. And once we understand the word, we know it must stop.
The more politicians hear that word, the stronger momentum becomes to put ecocide law in place. What we are seeding is a global conversation. And people are talking.
Media
The last few weeks have seen a rapidly growing focus on ecocide law in high profile publications. And this spurs political discussion.
What’s in a name? Is it time for “ecocide” to become an international crime? A growing movement wants destruction of the environment to be treated like genocide and crimes against humanity.
Lawyers Are Working to Put 'Ecocide' on Par with War Crimes.
Could an International Law Hold Major Polluters to Account?
Philippe Sands on why “ecocide” should be a crime. How a proposed amendment to international human rights law could prohibit the systematic destruction of nature.
To stop climate disaster, make ecocide an international crime. It's the only way. Outlawing ecocide would hold governments and corporations accountable for environmental negligence. We can’t wait
‘Ecocidio’, un nuevo delito para proteger al planeta de la humanidad. Un panel de 12 expertos prepara un borrador para introducir este crimen en el Estatuto de la Corte Penal Internacional
Ecocidio: un nuevo crimen contra la paz para salvar el planeta.
Juristas de reconocido prestigio tratan de definir el delito para que pueda ser juzgado por la Corte Penal Internacional de La Haya.
National Teams
Our reach on the ground continues to expand, with new teams this month in Aotearoa-New Zealand and Australia.
We notice that where we have communications teams, ecocide law starts to gain political traction. You may think that changing international law is something that happens in some remote corridor of power… but it starts with a simple conversation. One that more and more people are joining.
Whatever your network, big or small, you can grow that conversation.
Watch
From the Grassroots to the Courts: How criminalizing ecocide could benefit frontline defenders?
Co-hosted by Stop Ecocide Canada & RAVEN Trust.
Speakers: Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham) (Wet'suwet'en Nation), Chief Dana Tizya-Tramm (Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation), Melissa Mollen Dupuis (Innu community of Ekuanitshit).
Moderator: Suzanne Dhaliwal.
Jojo Mehta, Co-founder of Stop Ecocide International in conversation with Patrick Alley, Co-founder of Global Witness on exposing the links between corrupt practices, economic greed and environmental destruction, and how an international law of ecocide could help untangle that mess...
Look out for
EU Consultation on Environmental Crime Directive- full details in a special mailing coming soon
AUS: Earth Law alliance event on April 14th, 6pm AEST. International campaign update, followed by Q&A with guest Jojo Mehta.
EN: Outrage & Optimism podcast out on 15th April. Jojo is interviewed by Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac & Paul Dickinson.
Accelerate our work
Set up a regular donation via Paypal or credit/debit card today
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And keep talking!
PS - Just in from the US! Biden lifts sanctions on ICC
We’re delighted to hear that US President Joe Biden has now revoked former President Trump’s executive order and repealed sanctions placed against International Criminal Court officials. This is a promising development, showing that while the US may not become a member of the ICC just yet, there is no longer state hostility towards the Court as an institution.
Ms. Silvia Fernandez de Gurmendi, President, Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court announced yesterday: ”I welcome this decision which contributes to strengthening the work of the Court and, more generally, to promoting a rules-based international order.”
EU supports recognition of ecocide
EU supports recognition of ecocide
EU - Parliament votes to encourage EU members states to recognize ecocide, while environment committee votes to examine the possibility of EU ecocide legislation
Canada & Luxembourg both state that they will follow international ecocide law conversation with interest
Ecocide expert drafting panel - meetings get under way, public consultation takes place
Netherlands - Crimes Against Humanity communication with strong ecocide focus filed at the ICC in The Hague by French lawyer Bourdon on behalf of indigenous Chief Raoni
France - Affaire du Siècle case landmark ruling says government has failed its climate obligations and can be held accountable by victims, while trial continues on ecocidal Agent Orange chemical case
UK - Dasgupta report says economy must protect nature, while Supreme Court ruling says Shell can be held accountable for damage by subsidiaries
EU: taking ecocide seriously
In an amendment to its report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2019, the European Parliament voted to urge “the EU and the Member States to promote the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)”.
And In its opinion on the liability of corporations for environmental damage, the European Parliament’s ENVI (environmental) Committee echoed that vote - and also asked “the Commission to study its relevance for EU law and EU diplomacy”.
Canada & Luxembourg to follow ecocide law developments
In its official response to a parliamentary petition submitted last November, the Canadian government has stated that it is “committed to be a world leader for climate… and will continue to follow closely the discussions on ecocide at the international level.”
Luxembourg’s Ministers of Foregn Affairs and of the Environment have meanwhile promised that the government is “ready to support the recognition of ecocide in European and international law when the time comes.”
Former President of Finland (2000-2012), Tarja Halonen, publically expresses her support for an international crime of ecocide and becomes a signed up ‘earth protector’
More about states leading on ecocide law at our dedicated web page
Definition drafting & consultation
In January the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide had its first full meeting and drafting is now under way. The panel session was supported around the globe with ceremony held by Elders of the Mother Earth Delegation of United Original Nations, “lighting our sacred fires, standing with Mother Earth so Her voice can inform this panel of Her laws of nature.” (Grandmother Jyoti Ma)
A public consultation was launched in January to encourage diverse input to the panel. Reports and background considerations have also been sought from respected scientific, indigenous, youth, corporate, faith and climate policy voices. The closing date on the consultation has been extended to Sunday 21st Feb.
UK Treasury landmark report
The UK Treasury’s Dasgupta report marks a sea-change in economic thinking in the government context. While still using the financial language of “natural capital” and “ecosystem services”, there is nonetheless a genuine shift towards acknowledging our interconnectedness with, and responsibility towards, the natural world. A highly significant step.
French: Ecocide and the Agent Orange case
Spanish: Programa Utopías, Radio3
19/01 Raven Trust / Stop Ecocide Canada: Crimes against nature and indigenous sovereignty
18/02 EarthX: Amazonian Indigenous Voices
20/02 World Federalist Movement / Institute of Global Policy: Towards a common future
Share!
This month we’ve got a fabulous share from EcoAction Families: The Ripple Effect is a fun, pass-it-on chain reaction we hope you’ll be part of.
Excited about our work? Help fund us
We are uniquely placed to both influence and amplify worldwide momentum on ecocide law, and your help can make all the difference. So please consider:
Setting up a regular donation via Paypal or credit/debit card today
Recommending us to organisations or individuals you know who could help fund our work
PS - Cyprus campaign now active!
We’re delighted to welcome Evi heading up our Cyprus campaign, as we gradually reach around the Mediterranean… website in Greek in the pipeline - watch this space.
Change the law, protect the Earth
with love and unshakeable persistence,
The Stop Ecocide Team
Nuremberg to The Hague (via Helsinki & Madrid)
Nuremberg to The Hague (via Helsinki & Madrid)
Launch of Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, 75 years after Genocide & Crimes Against Humanity coined at Nuremberg
Side events at the International Criminal Court’s Assembly of States Parties: Ecocide as an International Crime: Key Considerations and The destruction of ecosystems and its impact on indigenous communities: a role for the ICC?
Belgium: 1st European country to raise the issue at the ICC of criminalising ecocide
Finland: gesture of support for ecocide conversation
Spain: Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee calls for consideration of criminalising ecocide
Netherlands: white paper on ecocide submitted to parliament
France: national ecocide law sparks controversy over the term
Top lawyers to draft ecocide definition
Last month with powerful symbolic timing, exactly 75 years since the terms “Genocide” and “Crimes Against Humanity” were first spoken in Nuremberg’s Courtroom 600, the Stop Ecocide Foundation launched its Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide. As Co-chair Philippe Sands put it, “new times call for new crimes” and with ecocide now a threat on a global scale, defining it as an international crime is rapidly becoming imperative. The drafting panel expects to report back in June 2021.
Side events at the ICC
For the second consecutive year, the Republic of Vanuatu co-hosted an official ICC side event with us on the subject of ecocide. In association the Institute for Environmental Security, this excellent panel event featured renowned international lawyer (and Co-chair of the ecocide drafting panel) Philippe Sands, as well as Kate Mackintosh of the Promise Institute at UCLA, MEP Marie Toussaint and former ICC judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade. Superbly moderated by the BBC's Africa correspondent Andrew Harding, this is essential holiday viewing...
This collaborative panel saw the moral and judicial values of the ICC as key to addressing the most serious international crimes, including the possible future crime of ecocide. It was an honour to welcome Nina Gualinga, indigenous and environmental rights defender from the Sarayaku people in Ecuador, with Wouter Veening of the Institute for Environmental Security, Patrick Alley of Global Witness, Rhavena Moreira of the Center for Climate Crime Analysis and Charlie Holt of Greenpeace International. Co-hosted by Foundation Earth and Green Transparency
Belgium raises ecocide at ICC
This year Belgium became the first European country to raise criminalising ecocide at the International Criminal Court. The country’s official statement to the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties last week was made by Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Sophie Wilmès who stated: “Belgium believes that it would be useful to examine the possibility of introducing crimes known as ‘ecocide’ into the Rome Statute system.” Read more here .
Finland extends gesture of support
Finland has extended a clear gesture of support towards the criminalisation of ecocide at the International Criminal Court. Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto sent a special video greeting to our side event co-hosted with Vanuatu. We look forward to Finland actively joining the conversation over the coming months.
Spain: Foreign Affairs Committee calls for consideration of ecocide
Spain’s Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Committee has just passed a resolution calling on the government to consider criminalising ecocide. The resolution has 3 parts, urging the Spanish government to examine the possibilities for including ecocide in domestic legislation; for supporting Vanuatu and the Maldives with regard to amending the Rome Statute; and for actually proposing ecocide amendments to the Statute. Read more here.
White paper on ecocide submitted to Dutch parliament
Dutch Party for the Animals, which holds 4 seats in the NL Parliament, has this week , submitted its white paper to Parliament outlining the need for international legislation on Ecocide.
Dutch Parliamentarian Lammert van Raan said: “we call on Parliament to take 10 actions, ranging from submitting an amendment to add ecocide as a crime to the Statute of Rome to investigating the role of the Netherlands in waylaying such an effort in the past. Read more here.
French government’s weak use of the term “ecocide”
In an unexpected move, the French government recently announced the creation of a new crime of “ecocide” which appears to be little more than a stronger enforcement of environmental obligations under existing law. This use of the term doesn’t come close to what President Macron implied in his supporting statement in June when he promised to champion recognition of ecocide at the international level. Read more here .
What to share this month
Video recording of Stop Ecocide Foundation’s official written statement to the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties.
Political speech of the year! - calling on all states to consider adding ecocide to the Rome Statute. Delivered by our co-founder Jojo Mehta.
Excited about our work? Support us!
Momentum is gathering around criminalising ecocide, which means we are busier than ever and the work is expanding fast. Your help is invaluable in enabling us to keep pace with global developments, so please consider setting up a regular donation via Paypal or credit/debit card today.
For many around the world this year has been dark and difficult. Lost loved ones. Lost livelihoods. Lost species. Lost ecosystems. But perhaps - if governments are beginning to consider making it a crime to destroy our precious life-support systems - not lost hope. It’s been 5 years since the Paris agreement, and there are now 6 ICC member states interested in criminalising ecocide.
In 2021, let’s make it the conversation on everybody’s lips.
Politics, prayer & progress
Politics, prayer & progress
Over 70 world leaders pledge to “strengthen national and international law enforcement” to protect biodiversity
In Belgium, newly formed government pledges to “take diplomatic action to halt ecocide crime” - full info HERE
In Sweden, two motions calling for ecocide law are submitted to parliament; Stop Ecocide meets with Elders of original nations, Youth activists, Swedish politicians and a Catholic cardinal - more info HERE
International alliance of parliamentarians launched by MEP
… and we’re very excited to announce that the Stop Ecocide website is now available in both Portuguese and French!
Leaders Pledge for Nature
Launched in the run-up to the UN Biodiversity summit this year, the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature has been signed by 78 heads of state and sets out intentions for halting biodiversity loss, including to “ensure effective, proportionate and dissuasive legal frameworks [and] strengthen national and international law enforcement”. This is a significant step in the right direction (and gives us a clear list of potential supporters for ecocide law)
Belgian Government’s ecocide crime pledge
A year and a half after elections in 2019, the Belgian government finally reached its new form (a 7 party coalition) at the start of this month with a 4-year programme in place. For the first time in an official government programme, ecocide law featured specifically, with pledges to investigate inclusion in Belgium’s penal code, and to “research and take diplomatic initiatives aimed at halting the crime of ecocide, which is to say the conscious destruction of ecosystems” at the international level. Strong and welcome words.
Sweden to discuss ecocide Law
Not one but two motions calling for ecocide law have been submitted to the Swedish parliament in recent weeks - one from the Left Party and one from the Green & Social Democrat parties. In both cases, the government is invited to take the lead in amending international law to include the crime of ecocide.
Historic meeting in Stockholm
Hosted by parliamentarian Rebecka Le Moine in the Swedish parliament building, a remarkable gathering took place on 8th October. Elders from the Mother Earth Delegation of United Original (Indigenous) Nations spoke of the roots of colonial domination, movingly acknowledged by Sweden’s Catholic cardinal; youth activists addressed the pain of growing up in the resulting global ecological crisis, while our co-founder Jojo Mehta along with End Ecocide Sweden’s Pella Thiel set out the potential of ecocide law to help mend our broken relationship with nature and protect the future of life on Earth. A potent mix, which you can witness in this online webinar full version (held the previous day).
Watch two minute summary film here.
Parliamentarians join forces
MEP Marie Toussaint has launched an initiative connecting parliamentarians around the world in a coalition for the recognition of ecocide crime. Beginning with 10 parliamentarians from Brazil to Belgium, we think this group is set to grow fast, and look forward to working together on progressing ecocide law.
New languages now live!
Stop Ecocide is now available in both Portuguese and French.
We’re delighted to welcome the Portuguese campaign team, already in lively discussion with parliamentarians in Lisbon.
The new French website is an important bridge to Francophone communities worldwide in France, Canada and many other countries from Africa to the Pacific.
We’ll be collaborating on a well-established Facebook page and growing a new Twitter platform in French too.
What to share this month:
Paul McCartney and Princess Esmeralda of Belgium have signed up as Earth Protectors - why not encourage your networks to do the same? They can sign our international petition and then continue to join as an Earth Protector! Available now in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Brazilian Portuguese
Change the law, protect the Earth
with love and unshakeable persistence,
The Stop Ecocide Team
The Pope’s “ecological conversion”
The Pope’s “ecological conversion”
On 3rd September Valérie Cabanes, ecocide law advocate and member of Stop Ecocide’s Advisory Board, personally presented to Pope Francis a request from Stop Ecocide: for him to use his diplomatic and spiritual influence to build on his call last year for ecocide to be made a “fifth category of crimes against peace” at the International Criminal Court.
Part of a special eco-delegation from France, Cabanes and colleagues (including writer Pablo Servigne and actress Juliette Binoche) found the encounter “intensely moving”. Francis set aside his prepared speech and spontaneously recounted the “ecological conversion” he experienced through encountering indigenous elders in the Amazon and Canada, who knew how to “live in harmony with creation.” They helped him see “the way all things connect. Everything is connected, everything is in relationship. In our human societies we have lost this understanding… this sense of roots, of belonging.”
Pope Francis signalled his new direction in 2015 with the encyclical Laudato Sí, a papal document based on expert scientific advice on climate and ecology. Since then Francis has increasingly broken with Catholic tradition in his strong advocacy for harmony with nature.
A Beatle on board!
This summer has brought another globally revered name on board: last month Paul McCartney discovered Stop Ecocide: “Recently heard about this campaign […] the idea is clearly catching on... and not before time if we are to prevent further devastation of the planet. I've just signed up as an “Earth Protector” to support”. Thank you Paul! All you need is love… and a law of ecocide. (You can find him on our list here…)
Meat Free Monday, the charity founded by McCartney and daughters Mary & Stella, also published a great piece about our campaign. MFM promotes reducing meat consumption as a response to the ecocidal practices of industrial livestock farming and overfishing. We’re delighted to have them as partners.
At last, our international petition
We’ve often been asked if people can sign up to the campaign without actually becoming paid-up Earth Protectors - in particular young people and those on low incomes or without online payment means. Well now you can! All you need is an email address.
The signup page is now an international petition, which has significant benefits for the campaign:
Gathering signatories ourselves - this enables us to visibly grow our support base and (for example) contact signatories in a particular country if a national government petition or new branch of the campaign is started;
Keeping the petition open - this way we can periodically use the figures, both total and by individual state, to demonstrate to governments the building level of civil support. The more signatures we have, the more pressure we create.
Once people have signed the petition, they can go on to join as an Earth Protector if they wish to. Already existing Earth Protectors will be automatically included in the petition - after all, you’ve already said you want ecocide to become an international crime! www.stopecocide.earth/become
Canada government petition
Talking of national government petitions - a new one has launched in Canada recently, so if you’re a Canadian resident or citizen, sign here
Reports: peace, harmony & extinction
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ Harmony with Nature report and supplement this summer mentions ecocide 3 times, documenting the proposals of the French Citizens’ Climate Assembly and the Swedish workers’ movement as well as the recommendation from last year’s “Wuppertal Call” conference of churches to explore “the recognition of ecocide as a criminal offence”.
The Institute for Economics & Peace’s newly published Ecological Threat Register shows strong correlation between least peaceful and most ecologically threatened areas of the world - a clear vindication for approaching ecocide as an international “crime against peace” (as ICC crimes are frequently known).
WWF’s latest Living Planet report is an “SOS for Nature”, documenting “devastating” animal population losses of over ⅔ since 1970. At a press conference last week, director Marco Lambertini was unequivocal: “We are the cause of this ecocide.”
And in the UK last weekend, revered presenter Sir David Attenborough presented a stark BBC documentary Extinction: The Facts. It underlined the urgent need for stronger laws to address issues such as the habitat destruction driving extraordinary rates of biodiversity loss.
Making ecocide a crime is becoming an increasingly obvious step.
Rebellion around the globe
This month sees Extinction Rebellion (XR) once more out in force around the globe with a range of (at times highly controversial) civil disobedience. Not everyone may feel aligned with their tactics, but it’s only now - thanks to XR and the youth strikes forcing serious conversation on climate and ecological emergency - that people are listening to what we’ve been saying about ecocide for years. That is hugely important. It’s humbling that thousands are willing to peacefully challenge rules and even risk arrest for what they know to be right - and most historic legal changes have been triggered this way.
Click below to watch our co-founder Jojo Mehta and activist barrister Paul Powlesland in conversation about how these Conscientious Protectors can reframe in the courtroom what it means to stand up for the Earth.
From the Spanish campaign
Ecocide in the Mar Menor “worst in Spanish history”
Our Spanish campaign co-ordinator Maite Mompó was interviewed by major Spanish publication El Diario on the combination of contamination and extreme weather events which last year created “an unprecedented catastrophe that shook up the political and environmental landscape at national level, reviving criticism of the use of agro-pesticides and the dumping of waste from Murcian agriculture into the Mar Menor.”
The campaigners involved are now strongly demanding the criminalisation of ecocide. This is exactly the kind of horrific situation that we encourage campaigners around the world to frame as ecocide, just as these campaigners are doing. The more the term is used, the clearer the demand for its recognition as a crime.
Spanish webinar this Sunday!"Legal instruments to protect the Earth and its protectors". In collaboration with Re.Earth, Fridays for Future, Latinas for Climate and #FIBGAR, we will discuss how international law can benefit frontline communities defending lands and waters, as well as how it can benefit Nature. There will be presentations on two campaigns: the Escazú Agreement and Stop Ecocide, and an introduction to the work of FIBGAR (Baltasar Garzón’s Foundation). The whole event will take place in Spanish. Join us and share the event to your Spanish speaking circles!
What to share this month:
Courtesy of climate solutions amplifier Grounded.org, we had an amazing sponsored piece in the Guardian this week as part of their Climate Academy series. Please share widely - it’s a comprehensive and well-written introduction to the campaign.
This next one’s fun!
A collaboration with Fridays For Future, Youth Strike for Climate, Eco Action Families and XR, it’s a pop video created to promote youth climate action. The 30-second piece below is the one specially done for us… we LOVE it - it’s bubbly and joyous. You can share from our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. (Full song here)
Last but not least, keep encouraging your networks to help ecocide become a crime by adding their names to the international petition at www.stopecocide.earth/become - they can become an Earth Protector as a next step if they like!
Earth Protector Communities news
Our sister grassroots charity initiative, based in the UK, is examining ways that communities can begin to behave as if ecocide law were in place. This week their youth-created online mini-series Wildlife to the Rescue aired on IGTV - it’s an invitation for all young people to be informed, inspired and encouraged to take what positive actions they can within their immediate sphere of influence.
The amazing line up included interviews and conversations with (among others) Myra-Rose Craig, popularly known as #BirdGirl; Annabel Ross, BBC audio producer, nutritionist and entrepreneur; Nicola Peel, environmental activist extraordinaire, and Ian Redmond OBE, internationally renowned conservationist champion of gorillas and elephants.
And last but not least, integrating an Earth Protector approach into early years education is proving to be a key area of exploration - check out this article in Primary Times (officially the UK’s most highly circulated magazine!).
The Belgian parliament, Greta Thunberg… and you
The Belgian parliament, Greta Thunberg….
and you
What’s the connection?
All are discussing a crime of ecocide.
This month we have lots of incredible news, and also great opportunities for immediate, easy action (yes, signing things! From the comfort of your laptop or phone!).
Belgium to discuss ecocide
Spurred on by Macron’s support in France just weeks ago, the Ecolo-Groen (Green) parties in Belgium lost no time introducing a bill into the federal parliament in July, to propose legislating on ecocide both nationally and at the international level, backing the call from Vanuatu and the Maldives last December. Proposer Samuel Cogolati, himself a Harvard Law School graduate, worked closely with Stop Ecocide associate and legal expert Valérie Cabanes on the bill. He said:
“If we, as legislators, take scientists seriously, we have to say as a matter of criminal law: destroying the Earth is not ok. It's actually punishable. Because without water, without forests, without clean air, we cannot survive on Earth.”
Read our full press release here
#FaceTheClimateEmergency: Greta and youth activists’ open letter calls for ecocide crime
Also in July, an open letter was submitted to EU leaders by four young women activists: Greta Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer, Anuna de Wever and Adélaïde Charlier. Signed by thousands of citizens, scientists and influencers, the letter demands that EU and global leaders “advocate to make ecocide an international crime at the International Criminal Court” alongside halting investments and subsidies for fossil fuels.
The activists point out that the emergency response to Covid-19 shows that leaders have not yet treated the climate and ecological crisis as a crisis. “We want leaders to address the root causes,” said Thunberg. Ecocide is certainly a root cause.
Read our full press release here
Donation from Greta’s foundation
Click on image to watch our thank you message
As if this wasn’t enough to bring ecocide into the spotlight, the news a few days later certainly did. Greta Thunberg was awarded the first Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity (€1M) on 20th July for her work “to mobilize younger generations for the cause of climate change and her tenacious struggle to alter a status quo that persists”.
Her foundation promptly donated €100K of the prize fund to Stop Ecocide “to support their work to make ecocide an international crime.” What an incredible gift! This is a fantastic support for our legal and diplomatic work with climate and ecocide-vulnerable states and we are hugely grateful for this recognition and generosity.
Fridays For Future Brazil initiative SOS Amazonia received a similar donation for its work tackling Covid-19 in the Amazon.
Read our full press release here
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (9/08/20)
Click the image to watch the film
We celebrated International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, with a beautiful short film from Stop Ecocide supporter Kelly Roberts, From Harm to Harmony - the missing law to protect people and planet. It features indigenous resistance to toxic exploitation and deforestation in the Amazon, and highlights the need for ecocide law to protect the forest for the sake of all of us.
In the words of the film-maker: "This film is a prayer for us all to take responsibility and to stand up for what we believe in."
Voices include Patricia Gualinga (Sarayaku people), Oswando Nenquimo (Waorani people), Clare Dubois (Treesisters) and David Dene (UN Earth jurist).
The film was created in direct response to Polly Higgins’ call: ‘Dare to be Great’. It was originally premiered in The Hague last December and is dedicated to Polly’s memory. Feel free to share widely!
Watch here: Youtube
Calling UK citizens: 2 (yes, 2) government petitions
For UK citizens reading this, two easy actions: please sign and share BOTH of the two petitions that went live last week on the UK government’s petition site after delays due to lockdown... they are different asks and therefore both worth signing.
This one was initiated by us and aims to put Boris Johnson in the same position as Emmanuel Macron - promising support for an international crime of ecocide.
Sign here
This one, originated by Earth Protector, artist and activist Sophie Miller, is a new attempt to ask the UK government to legislate nationally.
Sign here
Let’s go for this from both angles! And when you share on social media, we suggest doing it from these links because they include BOTH petitions:
Facebook , Twitter, Instagram. If you are from elsewhere in the world and would like to start a government petition in your country click here for useful info.
International allies
Stop Ecocide is becoming more international all the time.
This month we welcome branches of the campaign starting up in:
Canada: canada@stopecocide.earth / Facebook
Portugal: portugal@stopecocide.earth
Denmark: danmark@stopecocide.earth / Facebook
We have allies in Argentina, Mexico and Ireland who will be helping to evolve campaign branches very soon. Do let us know if you would like to be put in contact with them: operations@stopecocide.earth
We also look forward to offering the website soon in Portuguese and French, with more languages to follow.
We are also working closely with associate groups and networks such as End Ecocide on Earth and End Ecocide Sweden… stronger together!
Translators required:
Due to our rapid expansion, we are looking for legal translators to assist in translating the most important of our documents - the Earth Protectors Trust Fund document upon which our campaign is founded. Please contact: operations@stopecocide.earth
Stay tuned
Follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram and keep on sharing our content, or take it a step further and Be an ambassador for Stop Ecocide… It’s your support that takes this work forward. Make it your mission to sign up your friends and networks to support making ecocide an international crime.
Change the law, protect the Earth
with love and unshakeable persistence,
The Stop Ecocide Team
PS: Celebrating Vanuatu!
At the end of July the small Pacific island Republic of Vanuatu celebrated 40 years of independence. Vanuatu is one of the world’s most highly climate-vulnerable nations. It was also the first sovereign state to call for ecocide to be seriously considered as a crime at the International Criminal Court (Dec 2019) and has been a strong ally for some years now.
2020 has been really tough for the small island state, due to the devastating effects of cyclone Harold in the spring, local volcanic activity, malaria outbreaks and keeping out Covid-19 (one of the only places on the planet which has managed to do so).
The people of Vanuatu showed they have the resilience, energy and spirit to celebrate nonetheless! We certainly celebrate Vanuatu and send strength and solidarity.
France to champion international crime of ecocide
France to champion international crime
of ecocide
The possibility of establishing ecocide as an international crime has just come significantly closer. President Emmanuel Macron this week gave his official response to the 150 randomly selected members of the French citizens assembly on climate, the Convention Citoyenne pour le Climat (CCC), a body he convened last year to provide proposals to the government to tackle climate change.
The assembly’s deliberations took 9 months. Foremost among their proposals, supported by a remarkable 99.3% of the assembly, was making ecocide a crime. Macron stopped short of accepting the exact text proposed, but clearly endorsed the principle. He assured the citizens of his support:
“We'll study, with you and legal experts, how this principle can be incorporated into French law."
Moreover he specifically promised, on behalf of France, to champion the enshrining of ecocide crime in international law.
“As for ecocide, I think I was the first leader to use that term when the Amazon was burning," the head of state said. "So I share the ambition that you defend … the mother of all battles is international: to ensure that this term is enshrined in international law so that leaders … are accountable before the International Criminal Court.”
This is a huge step forward. Already the conversation is expanding and interest in the subject is growing fast. Our alerts for press mentions of “ecocide” are pinging several times a day now (bear in mind 18 months ago this was once or twice a month!)...
The French developments are being celebrated in particular by human rights expert and long-term ecocide law advocate Valérie Cabanes, who is a close associate of the Stop Ecocide campaign. It was Cabanes who in January presented to the CCC in January the ecocide law proposal for which she had previously been lobbying. Inspired by the work of our co-founder Polly Higgins, she has dedicated many years to progressing the legal protection of nature. She is both thrilled and resolute:
“We take Emmanuel Macron at his word concerning his wish to fight for the recognition of the crime of ecocide at the International Criminal Court on behalf of France. He says he shares our ‘emotion faced with those who destroy entire ecosystems with "full knowledge of the facts and with impunity".’ Mr President, we expect you to stick to your words! In the meantime: Thank you!”
Look out soon on our social media for a conversation with Valérie Cabanes and Jojo Mehta in discussion on what this means for France and for the wider campaign.
Convergence of injustice
The world has been shaken by events in the US, and the environmental movement among others has had to consciously examine its assumptions. Should any of us be surprised that ecological, health, social and racial injustice which have been turned away from - and even violently silenced - have all converged to become visible at once? Read our campaign statement HERE.
Speech, debate, interview
Jojo Mehta in conversation with Amazon activist Zoë Tryon, 5th June, hosted by Medicine Festival… Jojo & Zoe recall Polly Higgins and celebrate the latest developments in the Stop Ecocide campaign. You can watch here: FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE
Our co-founder Jojo Mehta presented to the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) conference on 26th June as part of a panel on The Rule of Law and the Environment. You can listen to her 15 minute speech HERE
If you missed the exciting debate in Spain last month with Joaquín Araujo, Baltasar Garzón and our own Maite Mompó, you can watch it HERE
And if you missed the lively conversation between Jonathon Porritt and Jojo Mehta you can watch it HERE
Partnering…
If your organisation, group, NGO, publication or business believes in what we’re doing, we would love to hear what you can do with your membership and your strategy to include this simple, essential demand to governments: “Support making ECOCIDE an international crime.”
Please visit our Partner with us page.
Volunteers - some specific asks
Do you believe in what we’re doing and have some time to spare? We’re looking for people to help with translations for our international web sites, particularly German, Swedish, Brazilian Portuguese and Italian.
Please email volunteers@stopecocide.earth
Amplification
We have a feeling things are only going to accelerate from here. So stay tuned on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and keep on sharing our content, or take it a step further and Be an ambassador for Stop Ecocide… It’s your support that takes this work forward!
And for something new to share, here is an excellent short video on the work to criminalise #ECOCIDE - put together by INTERPRT, our forensic investigation partners. It includes original footage of Vanuatu Ambassador's official speech at the International Criminal Court, Dec ’19.
Watch HERE or click on the below image taken from the video.
We felt appropriate to include an image of Polly Higgins & Jojo Mehta together as Polly would have been 52 yesterday (4th July) if she were still with us - "interdependence day" as she used to call it.
Change the law, protect the Earth
with love and unshakeable persistence,
The Stop Ecocide Team
Earth Protector Communities News
How do we act ‘as if’ ECOCIDE law were already in place, right across communities? Earth Protector Communities, sister charity initiative of the Stop Ecocide campaign, is co-creating models at grassroots level to sow the seeds of how this might be done.
Young people lead on Earth Protector Universities
Universities could emerge as fertile ground for these seeds. Last month we invited 16 students from France, Germany, Holland and the UK to meet online, and an energetic first discussion took place around developing a map for protecting the Earth and regenerating community via the organisation of a university, embedded in its particular local community. The students continue exploring how best to encourage their Universities to become beacons - declared Earth Protector institutions committed to collaborative decision making and prioritising ecology, ethics and social justice. More conversations to come!
Local well-being regeneration: a community hub
Our Healthy Being team is evolving a practical model for how Earth Protector Towns might work, in our home town of Stroud, UK.
Together with local sustainability organisations, our charity is developing a community space to support the long-term mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing of the town.
This will include hot-desking space, a community café, venue for classes, events, conversations and counselling, public washing facilities and a base for local peer-to-peer food hub business StroudCo, linking the community firmly to the local economy of sustainable food producers.
Even at this early stage, we can see from this “on the ground” work that combining community well-being, ecology and economy for the benefit of all is the way forward as we emerge from the covid-19 crisis.
In this context we feel that the #BlackLivesMatter and #BuildBackBetter movements are deeply correlated - our statement on this is HERE.
First do no harm
With warmth and resilience
The Earth Protector Communities Team
Ecocide: calling a crime a crime
Ecocide: calling a crime a crime
This is a unique moment, when those of us accustomed to “first-world” living have had to slow down, and millions in the developing world and indigenous communities are experiencing increased hardship and risk. Many around the world are grieving those they have lost. It’s a moment we hope to live through consciously and with compassion.
It’s also a moment when changing the ground rules is becoming a household conversation. While some unscrupulous political players are taking advantage of this moment to plough ahead with ecocidal projects (Canadian oil pipelines, Amazon deforestation), many voices, including millions of health professionals, are now highlighting the links between the human health crisis and the ECOCIDES suffered by the Earth.
Making ECOCIDE a crime can therefore make a profound difference, creating a legal foundation for all life on Earth to thrive, a foundation for ALL of this:
protecting biodiversity
slowing climate change
supporting indigenous rights
promoting green infrastructure
enabling sustainable development
safeguarding future generations
This is why we are now reaching out to many other interest groups, campaigns and NGOs, from youth strikers to conservation charities, from indigenous peoples to faith groups and from workers unions to green business leaders: let’s all start naming ECOCIDE as the crime that it should be.
Already the workers movement in Sweden has publicly done this: see guest blog from our partner association End Ecocide Sweden.
Image: Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson, chairman of The Swedish Trade Union Confederation, and Anna Sundström, secretary general of Olof Palme International Center “We stand behind the growing global opinion demanding that large-scale destruction of ecosystems should be a crime.”
Just last week, model and actress Cara Delevingne contributed the video below to Artists for Amazonia’s online fundraiser also featuring Sting, Morgan Freeman, Peter Gabriel, Carlos Santana, Jane Fonda and many more - specifically encouraging folk to sign up to Stop Ecocide!
Cara is also co-founder (with Advaya) of the fabulous climate action platform EcoResolution.
The legal possibility is there; the conversation has already been begun at state level … and as more - and more diverse - voices join the conversation, so the political possibility grows too. Let’s do this together.
Be an ambassador for Stop Ecocide.
World Environment Day, Friday 5th June
We’re going to be marking WED in Spain with a high-profile online debate on 5th June, (6pm CET) as part of the Despierta Festival featuring world-renowned former judge and highly esteemed member of our advisory board Baltasar Garzón, one of Spain's best known environmentalists Joaquín Araujo and our own Spanish campaign manager Maite Mompó. In the run-up, ticket-holders can view Spanish versions of the 3 films on Ecocide which premiered in The Hague last December: Big Sun (Vanuatu), From Harm to Harmony (Ecuadorean Amazon) and an excerpt of The Code (International Criminal Law).
For English speakers, our co-founder Jojo Mehta will be in conversation with renowned veteran environmentalist and author Jonathon Porritt (whose new book Hope in Hell comes out this month) on our YouTube and Facebook channels at 4pm BST on Friday 5th June. Facebook event
Change the law, protect the Earth
with love and unshakeable persistence,
The Stop Ecocide Team
Earth Protector Communities News
How do we act ‘as if’ ECOCIDE law were already in place, right across communities? Earth Protector Communities, the sister charity initiative of the Stop Ecocide campaign, is co-creating models at grassroots level to do just that.
Image: 'Joseph in Nigeria: 'We cannot leave the Earth as we met it'.
Last month the Covid-19 crisis meant our Earth Protector Schools projects went on hold, but our online creativity ramped up to produce Earth Week interviews from Brazil to Ecuador via the Cotswolds (England), covering subjects from permaculture to plastic with pioneers spiritual and ecological. Check out the collection on Facebook.
More recently we supported emerging “Youth Voices”, produced by and for young people in our hometown of Stroud. Participation grows confidence, well-being (a particular Earth Protector focus) and active hope, as well as the building blocks of an Earth Protector Youth Community. Enjoy on Instagram and Facebook whatever your age
First do no harm
with warmth and resilience
The Earth Protector Communities Team
One year on: remembering Polly Higgins
One year on: remembering Polly Higgins
This week marks one year since the passing of our co-founder, visionary and legal pioneer the late Polly Higgins (1968-2019). Plans for any kind of live event have of course had to be cancelled due to COVID-19, but we have put together some beautiful online content to celebrate and remember her. Below are two short video pieces created specially – enjoy and feel free to share:
Polly on the origins of Stop Ecocide:
Polly on Greatness as a Legacy:
It is of course also Earth Day this week, 50 years on from the first Earth Day in 1970. We are delighted to be contributing to several global Earth Day events – from Green Cross Netherlands’ video for the EarthX conference, to a slot in the LiveHOPE Telefest, to a live talk from Jojo Mehta as part of the Pachamama Alliance’s Voices for the Earth Summit.
Closer to home, sister charity initiative Earth Protector Communities is launching the first stages of a toolkit for individual and community resilience and regeneration, inspired by Polly Higgins’ recently republished book Dare to be Great.
Picture by Jaine Rose, local Stroud artist and Earth Protector
Dubbed the Earth Protector Quest, you can join to see developments and lots of special Earth Week contributions HERE, including films, interviews, singing celebrations and even a “virtual pub night”! They will also be releasing content on the Earth Protectors Community facebook group HERE.
Remembering Polly, and acknowledging all those (that’s ALL OF YOU!) who understand the importance of making ecocide a crime … as a bridge to the more beautiful world we all want to bring into being.
Ecocide: a global conversation
Ecocide: a global conversation
Because our work is strongly focused around the Assembly of the International Criminal Court in December each year, winter is a time for taking stock and preparing next steps.
A global conversation
This year there is broader change in the air. The word "ecocide" is becoming a household term. This is profoundly tragic given it comes with the knowledge that up to a billion animals have perished in Australia's horrific bushfires - but sadly it seems necessary in order for the public to understand the terrible absence of legal protection for our planet, and to demand action of our governments.
The extremes of this expanding conversation are particularly starkly shown in the Amazon, where in Brazil the assassination of indigenous activists and Bolsonaro's recent bill to support expansion of mining and agri-business come against a backdrop of indigenous accusations of genocide, ethnocide and ecocide and impassioned pleas from indigenous leaders. Extreme ecocides waiting to happen, such as these terrifyingly unsafe tailings dams in Ecuador, do not hit the headlines. And at the same time, Pope Francis, leader of the 1.3 billion-strong global Catholic community, has just reinforced his November statement calling for ecocide crime with a powerful Vatican bulletin on environmental and social justice: "The businesses, national or international, which harm the Amazon and fail to respect the right of the original peoples to the land and its boundaries, and to self-determination and prior consent, should be called for what they are: injustice and crime.”
The clash of mindsets is clear, and remarkable – indigenous and Catholic spiritual leaders calling attention to reality (our interdependence with the natural living world) while industry-focused politicians cling to blind faith (in an economic model which is as incompatible with the facts as believing the earth is flat).
Since Vanuatu and the Maldives stepped up to call for serious consideration of ecocide crime at the International Criminal Court last December, the ecocide conversation is now taking place at state level. France may have failed to legislate nationally for it last year but last month President Macron went on record HERE (see question at 20h04) saying that ecocide crime "makes sense if you do it internationally. I hope that we go in this direction. I am sceptical about the useful effect if we only do it in French law, I am in favour of having it go forward internationally." Let's hold him to that.
Catching up with ourselves
We find ourselves in a curious position. Simply put, we've already travelled further than people realise towards a goal most people don't know is possible. While many people intuitively feel mass destruction of ecosystems to be criminal, they don't realise that:
a) in most of the world, it is not actually a crime
b) it could be
c) they could help it to become so
Even lawyers writing about criminalising ecocide – see barrister Kirsty Brimelow's great piece in The Times – talk about it hypothetically, apparently not realising that the work to take it forward is alive and kicking.
Our task is to make this visible. We don't need to convert anyone. We simply need to reach those who care and let them know. For starters, we've already translated the Stop Ecocide website into Dutch [www.stopecocide.nl] and Spanish [www.protectoresdelatierra.org].
Every single environmental campaign – and every ecosystem – on the planet will benefit when ecocide becomes an international crime, so it should be an easy pitch.
Support now!
So... if you can afford a monthly donation to help us expand, however modest, please set this up HERE.
And for a wee musical alert to your networks, supported by acclaimed UK dub band Zion Train please watch and share the video below, made during our first international team workshop recently – this one's on YouTube but you can also share directly from Facebook - @EcocideLaw.
We are all influencers
We all have networks. They might be 40 people, they might be 40,000. But don't they all deserve to know that there is a way of stopping the harm by changing the rules? Just sharing the weblink www.stopECOCIDE.earth every now and again will keep the awareness moving.
You could also share this link to our latest brochure: http://bit.ly/EDIBrochure – it's a great introduction (or update) to our work.
Dare to be Great - pre-order now!
Our co-founder the late Polly Higgins' inspiring personal-journey book Dare to be Great, out of print since 2015, is about to be republished as the launch title for a new imprint of The History Press called Flint books ("books to spark conversations"). With a foreword by Marianne Williamson and afterwords by Dame Jane Goodall and Michael Mansfield QC as well as a new introduction about Polly and Ecocide Law timeline, we hope this book will bring Polly's work and the continuing campaign for Ecocide Law to a broader mainstream audience. You can already pre-order your copy from Waterstones or from Wordery.
Earth Protector Communities
Things are developing fast - the movement building aspect of the campaign now has its very own website. We already have a growing number of schools/colleges, businesses and towns in the UK lining up to join the scheme (and international enquiries arriving already) to work together to protect land, wildlife, air, soil and water, as well as endorsing the Stop Ecocide campaign. Our Regenerative Community Toolkit, a powerful conceptual and practical resource for Earth Protector Communities of all types and sizes, will launch later this year.
And so the story continues... with us, and with you.
Thanks for standing with us.
The Stop Ecocide team.
PS – Podcasts...
Our co-founder Jojo Mehta keeps popping up on the web lately! Here are two recent podcasts:
The Sapience Project - half an hour around the digital campfire: an informal but densely informative video interview on the power of ecocide law.
Wyse Women – a longer, intensely personal audio interview originally recorded in October last year, about Jojo's close friendship and work with Polly Higgins, what Polly was like, her illness and passing and what happened after.
Climate change and Ecocide Survey - finally, Earth Protector and PhD researcher at the Western Sydney University Jolanda Kramers is conducting a survey about attitudes to climate change and ecocide. The survey is available in 7 languages, links below, and results will form part of her doctoral thesis. Thanks for participating!
These are the different links to all surveys:
English: https://bit.ly/2rgDhXX
Spanish: http://bit.ly/2WQYVfh
French: https://bit.ly/2JkaoiQ
Portuguese: http://bit.ly/2Iqx6GA
Italian: https://bit.ly/2Ozyomv
German: https://bit.ly/2pLX809
Dutch: http://bit.ly/2YYPJqB
Sovereign states call on ICC to seriously consider ecocide crime
Sovereign states call on ICC to seriously consider ecocide crime
The last two weeks have been extraordinary. First and foremost let's celebrate the biggest public step forward in progressing ecocide as an international crime in nearly 5 decades...
On Monday 2nd December in The Hague, at the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s annual Assembly of States Parties, the Pacific island state of Vanuatu made a bold statement - that the Assembly should seriously consider expanding the court's remit to include a crime of ecocide.
Ambassador John Licht of Vanuatu, speaking on behalf of his government to the full plenary session of the Assembly, declared: "An amendment of the Rome Statute could criminalise acts that amount to ecocide. We believe this radical idea merits serious discussion."
This came in the context of Vanuatu's declared commitment to universal justice for the most serious crimes, and also the observation that sea level rise and other impacts of climate change continue to compromise Vanuatu's ability to achieve sustainable development under the 2030 SDG Agenda.
For our team this signifies a sea change in the weight and credibility of the conversation around ecocide crime, a change that was underlined within days by the official government statement from the Maldives strongly echoing Vanuatu's call.
The statement issued by Maldives, a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2011, read; "We believe the time is ripe to consider an amendment to the Rome Statute that would criminalise acts that amount to ecocide.” The statement was issued by Mr. Ahmed Saleem, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environment. In it he emphasised the life-or-death situation faced by his people and was critical of the lack of international action on climate change.
All the events we participated in during the week of the ICC's Assembly were very well attended. Vanuatu's statement came shortly after a side event hosted by the island Republic on "Investigating & Prosecuting Ecocide: the current and future role of the ICC". The event was chaired by Ambassador Licht and featured Pacific speakers from Tuvalu and new ICC member state Kiribati, whose accession to the ICC's Rome Statute took place just last month following a key roundtable meeting in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila earlier this year. Also speaking were French lawyer Valérie Cabanes, Chilean lawyer Rodrigo Lledó, international criminal barrister Richard Rogers and our own co-founder Jojo Mehta.
Reflecting afterward on the charged atmosphere at the event, Jojo said: "This is an idea whose time has not only come, it's long overdue. It's committed and courageous of Vanuatu to take the step of openly calling for consideration of a crime of ecocide, and it was clear from the response today that they will not be alone. The political climate is changing, in recognition of the changing climate. This initiative is only going to grow - all we are doing is helping to accelerate a much-needed legal inevitability."
Ecocide in 3 short films (or was it 4?)
On Wednesday 4th December we took over the auditorium at the beautiful Museon for a truly inspiring film night. Dutch TV presenter Floortje Dessing gave a brief introduction to the evening at which the spirit of our late co-founder Polly Higgins was vividly present.
Polly had directly inspired the making of two of the three short films: Big Sun, Isaac Confino's moving and intimate documentary filmed in Vanuatu about the effects of drought and rising sea levels on traditional life; and From Harm to Harmony, Kelly Roberts' galvanising and inspirational piece about the deforestation and contamination of the Amazon and the indigenous activists' ongoing fight to protect the "lungs of the world". Both directors were present to take questions, which brought the stories they were telling very much to life.
Polly herself featured in the third film, a condensed extract from documentary The Code following famed international lawyer Baltasar Garzón's mission to establish universal jurisdiction to ensure that even heads of state and CEOs are not above the law. Two of Garzón's team were also present to speak.
The evening was rounded off with an engaging "Call to Action" piece by Mari Muench following some school-children researching laws to protect the Earth. Mari's extraordinary 97-year-old mother also starred in the video and attended the evening!
We are working on making this collection of material available as a fantastic campaign tool – we'll keep you posted.
The reception afterwards was beautifully held by the growing Dutch campaign team led by Katy Olivia van Tergouw, our amazing NL director (front left of pic) who also co-ordinated the entire week's operations, ensuring delegates, speakers and team were all where they needed to be.
Building Alliances
The workshop event we co-hosted on Friday 6th December at the House of Europe was also well attended by legal and NGO contributors from all corners of the globe. Expertly facilitated to elicit key questions and highlight strategies for taking forward the legal protection of our beautiful planet, the highly interactive day rounded off an amazingly productive week of connections and conversations. Our team is still digesting!
A presence in Madrid
The results of the COP talks were nothing like as promising as the ICC Assembly events, but we're delighted that our campaign presence there was significant... led by the indomitable Maité Mompó with a stand at the Social Summit for Climate Action, who gave a talk at the campaign on Saturday 7th and also talked twice before its Assembly at the end of the day. She also went later at the Green Zone of the COP25 - even reaching Spanish and Portuguese TV by the end of the fortnight!
Images: COP25 in Madrid, including (bottom right) Laura Zúñiga Cáceres, daughter of renowned activist Berta Cáceres Meantime our strategic partnerships lead Shirleen Chin who also attended the 2nd week of the COP talks co-organised and moderated a workshop with the Climate Emergency Institute at the Social Summit youth forum there, and connected with key Pacific island representatives at official side events such as the "Not without my Neighbour" panel event organised by Tuvalu Climate Action Network, Oxfam and Greenpeace.
This week in Spain also saw calls for an international convention on ecocide, an approach necessitating a separate court. While we recognise that in the long term such a convention could be a necessary and useful parallel legal instrument establishing a broader range of duties and obligations on states than a single criminal law, it is less immediately effective and enforceable than accessing the already existing criminal jurisdictions in all ICC member states via amending the Rome Statute. Given the urgency of the ecological crisis, it remains of paramount importance to criminalise mass damage and destruction to nature.
A political afterward...
Both UK and French governments rejected ecocide law on Thursday 12th December. In the UK this was simply the result of the electorate handing government to the Conservative party which has recently stated it "does not recognise the term ecocide".
In France the government has engaged rather more deeply - a law of ecocide was actually proposed to the national assembly by the socialist party but was rejected.
Two very different levels of engagement - at least in France the conversation around ecocide is being taken very seriously - but both highlight for us that approaching this law from the international perspective is essential. Individual jurisdictions have trouble mustering the courage to take this vital step to protect our planet. By contrast, taking this forward at the International Criminal Court creates safety in numbers, as an international crime by definition requires support of multiple states and so no one state needs to feel "out on a limb".
Thanking all Earth Protectors – and reaching out
We could not have made the incredible progress we have if it wasn't for all our signed up Earth Protectors – your donations enable us to do what is usually the exclusive privilege of wealthy corporations... advocate for a law to suit us. And the "us" we mean is a very different one to the corporate lobbyists. We mean all of us – humans, animals, trees, insects, rivers, land and sea, the ecosystems of Earth... the natural living world.
As is the case every year at the International Criminal Court, our week in The Hague takes us forward in strides – and exhausts our funds. It stretches our team and makes us realise what further help we need as we expand. And with state support for ecocide law now visible on the international stage, we are moving into the fast lane.
So now is the time to sign up your networks, or to tap that wealthy relative on the shoulder and suggest they visit our donate page... or contact us for a personalised communication of what would best benefit the work going forward.
Wishing you all a festive season that shines bright
The Stop Ecocide team
PS: Philippines judgement on climate change and human rights
Last week saw encouraging conclusions from a four-year long inquiry by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines which announced its findings at the COP talks: carbon majors such as the big fossil fuel companies could be found legally and morally liable for human rights violations resulting from climate change. The evidence and potential legal approaches are ramping up...
PPS: Children's book just out in UK!
JUST OUT! - Juliana Muniz Westcott, a committed Earth Protector, recently created this charming children's book about our visionary co-founder Polly Higgins. Without funds or time to approach a publisher before Christmas she has made the on-demand version available for now at this link where you can still get UK delivery in time for the 25th! Profits go to the campaign - thank you Juliana!!!
Estados soberanos hacen un llamamiento en la CPI para que seriamente se considere delito el ecocidio
Las últimas dos semanas han sido extraordinarias. Lo primero y principal, tenemos que celebrar el mayor paso que se ha dado para avanzar hacia la consecución del ecocidio como delito en casi cinco décadas...
El lunes 2 de diciembre en La Haya, en la Asamblea anual de los Estados Parte de la Corte Penal Internacional (CPI), el estado insular de Vanuatu en el Pacífico hizo una valiente declaración: que la Asamblea debería considerar seriamente ampliar el mandato de la corte para incluir el delito de ecocidio.
El embajador John Licht de Vanuatu, hablando en nombre de su gobierno en la sesión plenaria de la Asamblea, declaró: "Una enmienda al Estatuto de Roma podría criminalizar los actos que equivalen a ecocidio. Creemos que esta idea radical merece una discusión seria".
Esto se produjo dentro del contexto del compromiso declarado de Vanuatu con la justicia universal para los crímenes más graves, y también la observación de que el aumento del nivel del mar y otros impactos del cambio climático continúan comprometiendo la capacidad de Vanuatu para lograr el desarrollo sostenible de acuerdo con los ODS (Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible) de la Agenda 2030 de Naciones Unidas.
Para nuestro equipo, esto significa un cambio radical en la seriedad y credibilidad de la conversación sobre el delito de ecocidio, un cambio que fue subrayado pocos días después por la declaración oficial del gobierno de las Maldivas que se hizo un enorme eco del llamamiento de Vanuatu.
La declaración por Maldivas, Estado parte del Estatuto de Roma de la Corte Penal Internacional (CPI) desde 2011, decía: "Creemos que ha llegado el momento de que se tenga en consideración una enmienda al Estatuto de Roma que criminalice los actos que equivalen a ecocidio". Esta declaración fue realizada por Mr. Ahmed Saleem, Miembro del Parlamento y Presidente de la Comisión Parlamentaria Permanente sobre Cambio Climático y Medio Ambiente. En ella, enfatizó la situación de vida o muerte a la que se enfrenta su pueblo y criticó la falta de acción internacional respecto al cambio climático.
Todos los eventos en los que participamos durante la semana de la Asamblea de la CPI fueron muy concurridos. La declaración de Vanuatu se produjo poco después de un evento paralelo organizado por la República isleña llamado "Investigando y Procesando el Ecocidio: el papel actual y futuro de la CPI". El evento fue presidido por el Embajador Licht y contó con oradores del Pacífico procedentes de Tuvalu y del nuevo estado miembro de la CPI Kiribati, cuya adhesión al Estatuto de Roma de la CPI tuvo lugar el mes pasado tras una reunión clave en la capital de Vanuatu, Port Vila, a principios de este año. También hablaron la abogada francesa, Valérie Cabanes, el abogado chileno, Rodrigo Lledó, el abogado penal internacional, Richard Rogers y nuestra propia cofundadora, Jojo Mehta.
Reflexionando después sobre la atmósfera cargada del evento, Jojo dijo: "Ésta es una idea cuyo momento no sólo ha llegado sino que debería haber estado ahí desde hace mucho tiempo. El haber hecho un llamamiento abierto a que se considere el ecocidio como delito muestra el compromiso y la valentía de Vanuatu y está claro, por la respuesta obtenida hoy, que este país no va a estar solo. El clima político está cambiando en cuanto al reconocimiento de que el clima está cambiando. Esta iniciativa seguirá creciendo: todo lo que nosotros estamos haciendo está ayudando a que se acelere el inevitable y necesario cambio legal.”
El Ecocidio en 3 cortometrajes (¿o eran 4?)
El miércoles 4 de diciembre tomamos el auditorio del precioso Museon para una noche de cine verdaderamente inspiradora. La presentadora de televisión holandesa Floortje Dessing hizo una breve introducción al comienzo de la noche en la cual el espíritu de nuestra difunta cofundadora Polly Higgins estuvo vívidamente presente.
Polly había inspirado directamente la realización de dos de los tres cortometrajes: Big Sun (El Gran Sol, en español), un conmovedor e íntimo documental de Isaac Confino rodado en Vanuatu sobre los efectos de la sequía y el aumento del nivel del mar en la vida tradicional; y From Harm to Harmony (Del Daño a la Armonía, en español), una sobrecogedora e inspiradora obra de Kelly Roberts sobre la deforestación y la contaminación de la Amazonía y la lucha continua de los activistas indígenas para proteger los "pulmones del mundo". Ambos directores estuvieron presentes para responder preguntas, lo cual hizo más vívidas las historias que contaban.
La propia Polly apareció en la tercera película, un extracto condensado del documental The Code (El Código, en español) que relata la misión del famoso abogado internacional Baltasar Garzón de establecer la jurisdicción universal para garantizar que incluso los jefes de estado y los Directores Ejecutivos no estén por encima de la ley. Dos miembros del equipo de Garzón también estuvieron presentes para hablar.
La noche se completó con una atractiva obra de Mari Muench de "Llamamiento a la acción" que muestra a varios escolares investigando leyes para proteger a la Tierra. ¡La extraordinaria madre de Mari, de 97 años, también protagonizó el video y asistió al evento!
Estamos trabajando para hacer que todo este material esté disponible como una fantástica herramienta de campaña. Os mantendremos informados.
La recepción posterior fue fantásticamente organizada por el creciente equipo holandés que trabaja en nuestra campaña dirigido por Katy Olivia van Tergouw, nuestra increíble directora de los Países Bajos (parte delantera izquierda de la foto), quien también coordinó las actividades de toda la semana, asegurando que los delegados, los oradores y el equipo estuvieran siempre donde tenían que estar.
Construyendo alianzas
El taller que organizamos conjuntamente el viernes 6 de diciembre en la Casa de Europa también contó con una amplia asistencia de colaboradores legales y de ONG de todos los rincones del mundo. Fue facilitado por expertos para poder extraer cuestiones clave y resaltar estrategias para llevar adelante la protección legal de nuestro hermoso planeta. De esta manera, el altamente interactivo día completó una semana increíblemente productiva de conexiones y conversaciones. ¡Nuestro equipo todavía está en proceso de digestión!
Nuestra presencia en Madrid
Los resultados de las conversaciones de la COP25 no fueron tan prometedores como los acontecimientos que tuvieron lugar en la Asamblea de la CPI pero estamos encantados de que nuestra campaña tuviera una presencia significante... Ha estado dirigida por la indomable Maité Mompó que montó un pequeño stand en la Cumbre Social por el Clima, dio una charla sobre la campaña el sábado 7 y se dirigió dos veces a la Asablea que tenía lugar al finalizar el día. También acudió a la Zona Verde de la COP25 – incluso alcanzando a televisiones españolas y portuguesas al final de la cumbre.
Fotos: COP25 en Madrid, incluida (abajo a la derecha) Laura Zúñiga Cáceres, hija de la reconocida activista Berta Cáceres
Mientras tanto, Shirleen Chin, nuestra experta en relaciones estratégicas, quien también acudió a las conversaciones durante la segunda semana de la COP y co-organizó y moderó un taller con el Instituto de Emergencia Climática en el foro jóven de la Cumbre Social por el Clima además de conectar representantes de países isleños clave del Pacífico en eventos que se realizaron en el lado oficial tales como la mesa redonda "Not without my neighbour" (No sin mi vecino, en español) organizada por la Red de Acción Climática de Tuvalu, Oxfam y Greenpeace.
Esta semana en España también se hizo un llamamiento para una Convención Internacional sobre ecocidio, un enfoque que requiere un tribunal separado. Si bien reconocemos que a largo plazo dicha convención podría ser un instrumento legal paralelo necesario y útil que establece una gama más amplia de deberes y obligaciones en los estados que un sólo derecho penal, es más efectivo de forma inmediata y exigible el acceder a las jurisdicciones penales ya existentes en todos los estados miembros de la CPI mediante la modificación del Estatuto de Roma. Dada la urgencia de la crisis ecológica, sigue siendo de suma importancia criminalizar el daño masivo y la destrucción de la naturaleza.
Epílogo político..
Los gobiernos del Reino Unido y Francia rechazaron la ley de ecocidio el jueves 12 de diciembre. En el Reino Unido, esto fue simplemente el resultado de que el electorado haya entregado el gobierno al partido conservador que recientemente declaró que "no reconoce el término ecocidio."
En Francia, el gobierno se ha involucrado bastante más profundamente: el partido socialista propuso una ley de ecocidio a la Asamblea Nacional, pero fue rechazada.
Dos niveles muy diferentes de compromiso (al menos en Francia, la conversación sobre el ecocidio se está tomando muy en serio), pero para nosotros ambos hacen resaltar que es esencial abordar esta ley desde la perspectiva internacional. Las jurisdicciones individuales tienen problemas para reunir el coraje suficiente como para dar este paso vital para proteger nuestro planeta. Por el contrario, llevar ésto adelante en la Corte Penal Internacional crea seguridad en cuanto al número, ya que, por definición, un crimen internacional requiere el apoyo de múltiples estados y, por lo tanto, ningún estado puede sentir que se queda aislado.
Agracedemos a todos/as los Protectores/as de la Tierra al tiempo que llegamos a nuevas personas
No podríamos haber logrado el increíble avance que hemos tenido si no fuera por todos nuestros Protectores de la Tierra inscritos: vuestras donaciones nos permiten hacer lo que generalmente es el privilegio exclusivo de las corporaciones ricas... abogar por una ley que nos convenga. Y este "nos" al que nos referimos es muy diferente al de los lobbies corporativos. Nos referimos a todos nosotros: humanos, animales, árboles, insectos, ríos, tierra y mar, los ecosistemas de la Tierra... el mundo natural vivo.
Como cada año ocurre en la Corte Penal Internacional, nuestra semana en La Haya nos hace avanzar a pasos agigantados pero agota nuestros fondos. Exige el máximo esfuerzo a nuestro equipo y hace que nos demos cuenta de que necesitamos ayuda adicional a medida que nos expandimos. Y con el apoyo estatal para la ley de ecocidio ahora visible en el escenario internacional, nos estamos moviendo en la vía rápida.
Por ello ha llegado el momento de inscribir a tus redes, o dar un toque a un pariente rico y sugerirle que visite nuestra página para hacer una donación o contactarnos para una conversación personalizada sobre de qué manera qué beneficiaría más a nuestro trabajo en el futuro.
Os deseamos que esta época festiva brille
El equipo de Stop Ecocidio
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P.D: Juicio en Filipinas sobre cambio climático y derechos humanos
La semana pasada se produjeron unas conclusiones alentadoras por parte de una investigación de cuatro años realizada por la Comisión de Derechos Humanos de Filipinas que anunció sus hallazgos en las conversaciones de la COP: las grandes empresas de carbono tales como las grandes compañías de combustibles fósiles podrían ser legal y moralmente responsables de las violaciones de derechos humanos resultantes del cambio climático. Las pruebas y los posibles enfoques legales están aumentando...
Pope calls for Ecocide law
Pope calls for Ecocide law
On Friday 15th November in the Vatican, at a meeting of the International Association of Penal Law, one of the oldest-established legal associations in the world, Pope Francis proposed that 'sins against ecology' be added to the Catholic teachings - and then went a step further, saying "ecocide” should be a fifth category of crimes against peace at the international level.
The Pope described acts that "can be considered as 'ecocide': the massive contamination of air, land and water resources, the large-scale destruction of flora and fauna, and any action capable of producing an ecological disaster or destroying an ecosystem".
"By 'ecocide' we should understand the loss, damage or destruction of ecosystems of a given territory, so that its' enjoyment by the inhabitants has been or may be severely affected. This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognized as such by the international community."
If this sounds familiar, that's because it is - in essence, it's the very definition submitted by our co-founder Polly Higgins to the UN Law Commission in 2010.
We're not sure how to express quite how exciting this is. Whatever the Catholic Church may need to address within its own ranks, Pope Francis himself (evidenced in his choice of papal name following Francis of Assisi) has a strong public record of deep concern for nature. The message his support for ecocide law will send to a huge section of the global population should not be underestimated.
As Greenpeace observes on the subject in their latest Unearthed newsletter: "as the international legal and banking systems slowly toy with the idea of making environmental harm some kind of crime/metric of failure the Pope has decided to get ahead of the game."
Raising the profile of ecocide at the International Criminal Court
We're excited about our presence at the ICC's annual Assembly coming up in less than a fortnight - targeted invitations have been going out to diplomats, politicians, NGOs and activists for our series of events focusing on ecocide crime. The world may focus on the COP talks in Madrid but the real potential for change will be at The Hague...
This year is going to be all about opening up the conversation and building alliances. You can view our programme here.
Backing a winner - with the added bonus of tax relief
We are at a point of major positive acceleration - which means our funding requirements are growing too. Fortunately - and with perfect timing - we are now able to accept UK charitable donations in support of the campaigning side of our work. So if you've been holding back from giving for tax reasons, now is your moment!
Please go to our DONATE PAGE and choose the best method for you - Paypal option (which also accepts cards) and bank transfer details are all there.
You can also give anonymously via the Charities Aid Foundation using our UK Charity details: Earth Community Trust, UK registered charity no. 1143660.
Don't forget to order your reverse Christmas cards!
We'd be mad not to remind you... this year we're helping you to pre-empt unwanted & unnecessary gifts with our "reverse Christmas cards" – tell your nearest and dearest that instead of buying you a gift this year, you wish to invite them to sign up as Earth Protectors and help progress a law of ecocide! You'll be saving them time and trouble, withdrawing support for the production of (often) unsustainably sourced gifts AND helping support a law that can truly protect the planet. What's not to like? Click on the image to order your pack of 3 exclusive designs on 100% recycled cards.
We'll be back...
We look forward to reporting on events in The Hague and wish you in the meantime a wonderful run-up to the festive season.
Rebels, Alliances and Reverse Christmas Cards
Rebels, Alliances and Reverse Christmas Cards
The last few weeks have been all about building alliances.
Early October saw a strong team presence throughout the International Rebellion in London. The team gave talks at several sites – our stand was mobbed after Jojo Mehta's talk on the main stage, and sustained continuous interest throughout the Rebellion. A big thank you to our incredible on-the-ground volunteers and all those enthusiastic rebels who ensured our placards were visible everywhere... we completely ran out of them, as well as all t-shirts, badges, etc by the end of the first week, the energy was amazing and there was just so much interest! Lawyers for XR specifically included support for Stop Ecocide in their Declaration and remembered our co-founder, the ever-inspirational legal pioneer Polly Higgins (1968-2019).
Jojo Mehta with journalist George Monbiot, also speaking at the Rebellion. (Photo Carla Oxlade).
This year Vienna's key green event EARTHtalks was dedicated to Polly's memory. Jojo spoke there last week alongside highly acclaimed film-maker Richard Ladkani, contemporary musician Yasmo and inspirational activist Joanna Sustento.
We are also delighted that connections have been re-ignited with French and Swedish ecocide campaigners, and we are honoured that FIBGAR in Spain have publicly announced that they are working alongside us on legal research and development.
Even the UK government wanted to hear from us: courtesy of shadow Farming and Rural Affairs minister David Drew, Jojo was invited to brief MPs in Westminster during the Rebellion before addressing the rebel crowds in Trafalgar Square.
The most exciting time of year
We are approaching the most exciting time of year for the campaign which is December when the International Criminal Court holds its annual Assembly in The Hague. This year we are accompanying not one but at least 3 (Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati) Pacific island states. We have several important events planned to raise the profile of ecocide law with both delegates and the public, including a panel event on the role of the ICC in prosecuting ecocide which is part of the official Assembly programme.
There is one public event among these: a film night on 4th December at the beautiful Museon, with 3 short films addressing ecocide: two specially commissioned ones from the Amazon and the Pacific, and a condensed edit of legal documentary The Code. These films will be made available online as well in due course.
Reverse Christmas Cards – an eco twist on seasonal giving
This year we're helping you to pre-empt unwanted & unnecessary gifts with our "reverse Christmas cards" – tell your nearest and dearest that instead of buying you a gift this year, you wish to invite them to sign up as Earth Protectors and help progress a law of ecocide! You'll be saving them time and trouble, withdrawing support for the production of (often) unsustainably sourced gifts AND helping support a law that can truly protect the planet. What's not to like? Click on the image to order your pack of 3 exclusive designs on 100% recycled card...
XR activist acquitted on necessity – and conscience?
XR activist Angela Ditchfield was recently acquitted of criminal damage by a UK magistrates court on grounds of necessity (preventing damage to property due to climate change) alongside her strong Christian convictions which she said led her to take action from her conscience. This is highly significant and we trust will be the first of many... becoming an Earth Protector can similarly provide evidence in court of your deeply held beliefs – in the sanctity of life on Earth.
You can read our recent blog post about using your Earth Protectors Trust Fund document in a court context here – and you can see our updated short animation on the subject here.
Earth Protector Towns... businesses... schools... and a UK charity
The town council of Glastonbury, UK has quickly become the second municipality to declare itself an Earth Protector Town by unanimous vote, joining our pilot scheme which is now firmly under way. We are also being approached by institutions, universities, and businesses which are interested in Earth Protector status. Our team has even begun to be invited into primary schools to talk about Earth Protectors and ecocide law.
This expanding initiative has given us the possibility of breathing new life into a UK charity, the Earth Community Trust (UK charity no. 1143660), with its stated aims of Earth Care, People Care, Future Care, to take charge of this side of our work along with the educational and awareness-raising aspects of the campaign. This will be hugely helpful for fundraising.
We've also been getting a bit of celebrity attention – the UK's highest paid fashion model and actress Cara Delevingne (below) has signed up and endorsed us, which is a phenomenal boost to visibility (given her mind-boggling 43M followers on social media) and the single biggest "shout out" we've ever had. Despite her obvious eco-credentials we do however look forward to having a serious conversation about the "fast fashion" she also condones with her work...
Declaring ourselves in our own networks...
We don't have to have 43M followers to make a difference though! Even with 43 followers, declaring yourself to your own networks as an Earth Protector like Cara did will spread the word from friend to friend and heart to heart...
Other things you can do...
If you've previously signed up as a volunteer on paper, or would like to sign up now, please complete this volunteer form so we have your details, location and how you'd like to help the campaign:
Supporting us from your Earth Protector's armchair? Print out a placard HERE, take a selfie and post it on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Going on a march? Get in touch and request leaflets and placards to distribute.
Know a celebrity? Ask them to tweet about us...
Got some spare cash? Donate HERE.
And if you are a lawyer, academic, NGO official, journalist/blogger or other influencer/commentator and would be happy to declare your endorsement or even write about ecocide law, please also get in touch - we are compiling a database of professional supporters and would love you to be in it.
PS: Letters to the Earth
The beautiful book Letters to the Earth, an initiative from Culture Declares Emergency, is due out this week (14th November) and includes some of Polly Higgins' words as well as those of many others including Emma Thompson and Caroline Lucas and Yoko Ono.
Jojo Mehta said:“Cried my way through this beautiful collection and feel privileged to be reading Polly's contribution at the official launch in London on the 17th. Let's make law this way, like we make love at our best... with fierce cherishing, respect and profound connection. Then it will be blindingly obvious what we are protecting by making it a crime to seriously harm the Earth."
Rebeldes, alianzas y tarjetas navideñas con doble sentido
Las últimas semanas nos hemos dedicado especialmente a construir alianzas.
A principios de octubre, nuestro equipo tuvo una fuerte presencia en toda la Rebelión Internacional en Londres. El equipo dio charlas en diferentes lugares – nuestro stand se llenó de gente tras la intervención de Jojo Mehta en el escenario principal y un gran interés se mantuvo durante toda la Rebelión. Agradecemos enormemente a nuestros increíbles voluntarios y a todos los rebeldes entusiastas que se aseguraron de que nuestras pancartas de mano fueran visibles por todas partes... A finales de la primera semana ya no nos quedaban ni pancartas ni camisetas ni chapas, etc. ¡La energía era increíble y había un interés desbordante! Los abogados de Rebelión contra la Extinción (Extinction Rebellion - XR) incluyeron específicamente su apoyo a la campaña Stop Ecocidio en su declaración y volvieron a recordar a nuestra co-fundadora, nuestra pionera legal que siempre nos inspirará Polly Higgins (1968-2019).
Jojo Mehta con el periodista George Monbiot, también hablando en la Rebelión. (Foto: Carla Oxlade).
Este año, el EARTH talks (Conversaciones sobre LA TIERRA), un evento verde clave que se celebra en Viena, fue dedicado a la memoria de Polly. Jojo habló allí la semana pasada junto con el aclamado director de cine Richard Ladkani, el músico contemporáneo Yasmo y la inspiradora activista Joanna Sustento.
Estamos también de que se hayan reiniciado las conversaciones con responsables de la campaña de ecocidio en Francia y Suecia y y nos sentimos honrados de que en España FIBGAR (La Fundación Internacional Baltasar Garzón) haya anunciado públicamente que están trabajando junto a nosotros en la investigación y el desarrollo legal.
Incluso el gobierno del Reino Unido quiso saber de nosotros: por cortesía del ministro de Agricultura y Asuntos Rurales David Drew, Jojo fue invitada durante la Rebelión a informar a los parlamentarios en Westminster antes de dirigirse a las multitudes rebeldes en Trafalgar Square.
El momento más excitante del año
Nos acercamos a diciembre, la época más emocionante del año para la campaña pues es cuando la Corte Penal Internacional (CPI) celebra su Asamblea anual en La Haya. Este año estamos acompañando no a uno, sino al menos a 3 (Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati) islas-estados del Pacífico. Hemos planificado varios eventos importantes tanto con los delegados como con el público para así elevar el perfil de la ley de ecocidio, incluyendo una mesa redonda sobre el papel de la CPI en el enjuiciamiento del ecocidio que forma parte del programa oficial de la Asamblea.
Entre todos los actos hay un evento público: el 4 de diciembre hay una noche de cine en el precioso Museon con 3 cortometrajes que abordan el ecocidio: dos que fueron encargados en la Amazonía y el Pacífico y una edición condensada del documental legal The Code. Estas películas estarán disponibles también en internet a su debido tiempo.
Tarjetas navideñas con doble sentido: un giro ecológico en las donaciones de temporada.
Este año te ayudamos a evitar regalos no deseados o que son innecesarios con nuestras "tarjetas de Navidad con doble sentido": ¡Dile a tus seres queridos más cercanos que en lugar de comprarte un regalo este año, se registren como Protectores de la Tierra y así ayudan a conseguir ley de ecocidio! Les ahorrarás tiempo y problemas, además de quitar apoyo a la producción de regalos que a menudo tienen un origen insostenible Y de dar respaldo a una ley que realmente puede proteger el planeta. ¿No me digas que no te gusta la idea? Haz clic en la imagen para pedir tu paquete de 3 diseños exclusivos en tarjetas hechas de material 100% reciclado.
Activista de Rebelión contra la Extinción (XR) absuelta en base a la necesidad y la conciencia
La activista de XR Angela Ditchfield fue recientemente absuelta del delito de daños por un tribunal del Reino Unido por razones de necesidad (prevenir el daño a la propiedad debido al cambio climático) junto con sus fuertes convicciones cristianas que, según ella, la llevaron a tomar medidas desde su conciencia. Este hecho es muy significativo y confiamos en que será el primero de otros muchos... Convertirte en Protector/a de la Tierra puede igualmente servir como prueba ante los tribunales de tus creencias profundamente arraigadas en el carácter sagrado de la vida en la Tierra.
Puedes leer nuestra reciente entrada de blog sobre cómo usar tu documento del Fondo Fiduciario de Protectores de la Tierra en un contexto judicial aquí - y puedes ver nuestra breve animación actualizada sobre el tema aquí.
Ciudades Protectoras de la Tierra... empresas... centros educativos... y una organización benéfica del Reino Unido
El ayuntamiento de Glastonbury, el Reino Unido, se ha convertido rápidamente en el segundo municipio que se ha declarado Ciudad Protectora de la Tierra por unanimidad, uniéndose así a nuestro programa piloto que ya está en marcha. También nos están contactando instituciones, universidades y empresas interesadas en la situación de los Protectores de la Tierra. Nuestro equipo incluso ha comenzado a ser invitado a centros de educación primaria para hablar sobre Protectores/as de la Tierra y la ley de ecocidio.
Esta iniciativa en expansión nos ha dado la posibilidad de dar nueva vida a una organización benéfica del Reino Unido, el Fondo Fiduciario de la Comunidad de la Tierra (Earth Community Trust), que tiene como objetivos declarados el Cuidado de la Tierra, el Cuidado de las Personas y el Cuidado del Futuro. La Comunidad de la Tierra se va a hacer cargo así de esta parte de nuestro trabajo junto con los aspectos educativos y de sensibilización de la campaña. Esto también nos será de gran ayuda en cuanto a la recaudación de fondos.
También hemos recibido algo de atención por parte de celebridades: la modelo y actriz mejor pagada del Reino Unido, Cara Delevingne, se ha inscrito y nos ha dado respaldo, lo cual es un impulso fenomenal para la visibilidad de nuestra campaña (dados sus alucinantes 43 millones de seguidores en las redes sociales) y ha proporcionado el mayor tirón que hemos tenido. A pesar de sus obvias credenciales ecologistas, esperamos sin embargo mantener una conversación seria con ella sobre la "moda rápida" a la que da respaldo con su trabajo...
Declararnos nosotros/as mismos/as en nuestras redes sociales...
No obstante, ¡nosotros no tenemos 43 millones de seguidores para marcar la diferencia! Incluso aunque los tuviéramos, si te declaras en tus propias redes como Protector/a de la Tierra como ha hecho Cara, correrá la voz de amigo a amigo y de corazón a corazón ...
Otras cosas que tú puedes hacer...
Si te has inscrito previamente como voluntario sobre papel o bien te gustaría inscribirte ahora, por favor completa este formulario de voluntariado para que podamos tener así tus detalles, la localidad y cómo te gustaría ayudar a la campaña:
¿Eres Protector de la Tierra y nos apoyas desde casa? Imprime un cartel desde AQUÍ, hazte un selfie y publícala en las redes sociales. Síguenos en Facebook, Twitter e Instagram.
¿Vas a una manifestación? Ponte en contacto con nosotros y te facilitaremos folletos y pancartas para distribuir.
¿Conoces a alguna celebridad? Pídeles que tuitteen sobre nosotros.
¿Tienes algo de dinero extra? Dona AQUÍ.
Y si eres abogado, académico, trabajador en una ONG, periodista/bloguero u otro tipo de influencer/comentarista y estás dispuesto a declarar públicamente tu apoyo o incluso escribir sobre la ley de ecocidio, ponte también en contacto con nosotros. Estamos construyendo una base de datos de simpatizantes profesionales y te encantará estar en ella.
P.D. Cartas a la Tierra
El precioso libro Letters to the Earth (Cartas a la Tierra), una iniciativa de la Cultura Declara la Emergencia (Culture Declares Emergency), saldrá esta semana (el 14 de noviembre) e incluye algunas de las palabras de Polly Higgins, así como las de muchas otras personas, incluidas Emma Thompson, Caroline Lucas y Yoko Ono.
Jojo Mehta declaró: "Lloré mientras leía esta preciosa colección y me siento privilegiada de leer la contribución de Polly en el lanzamiento oficial en Londres el día 17. Hagamos la ley de esta manera, como hacemos el amor de la mejor manera... con un cariño feroz, con respeto y con una conexión profunda. Entonces será totalmente obvio qué es lo que estamos protegiendo al convertir en delito dañar gravemente a la Tierra ".
Stop Ecocide in New York
Stop Ecocide in New York
Our co-founder Jojo Mehta was in New York last week with our Head of Strategic Partnerships, Shirleen Chin, for key diplomatic and networking meetings around the UN's Climate Action Summit. It was a non-stop week of connecting and raising the profile of the campaign and was wonderfully supported with accommodation in the beautiful Manhattan loft of a committed Earth Protector and deeply knowledgeable New Yorker. You know who you are and we thank you!
As is often the case, diplomatic work comes with diplomatic confidentiality, but suffice it to say that Vanuatu continues to be a strong ally and several other island states are now also interested in talking with us.
While the UN general assembly may have been disappointing on a number of fronts, there were two striking bits of news: Russia, the 4th largest emitter of CO2 in the world, has signed the Paris Climate Agreement this week and 65 countries and major economies (such as California) committed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. You can read the UN press release here. Whilst this is not as rapid as we would like, it shows a strong international shift towards the need for zero carbon by a certain date.
New York Times, BBC, CBC...
In the campaign's first major international broadsheet interview, Jojo was extensively quoted in a New York Times article on the ecocidal situation in Brazil. The BBC World Service also spoke to her (8m50s onwards), and you can hear her excellent interview with CBC (Canada) radio here. (1m50s onwards). A live interactive panel show on ecocide from Al-Jazeera also featured Jojo shortly before the NY trip. Watch this space for more in the coming weeks and follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram for up-to-the-minute news.
Stop Ecocide at the International Rebellion
Extinction Rebellion has stated it will peacefully blockade central London this month until three demands – for truth, action and a democracy fit for purpose – are met. Allied movements across 60 countries will be taking action simultaneously.
We consider ourselves a distinct yet complementary campaign – here's how we describe it: "Big societal shifts – such as the civil rights movement, women getting the vote and the abolition of the slave trade – have always been driven by large grassroots mobilisations, supported by legislative changes. XR and the Youth Strikes have woken the world up to the problem. Ecocide law is a concrete legislative solution we can now demand of our governments, to protect the Earth and future generations."
We will have a presence at the Rebellion as well as speakers at several sites.
International Participation
Stop Ecocide has been proud to support the amazing young people determined to create change, and to be involved in the Global Youth Climate Strikes, with over 7.6 million people in 185 countries taking part! We are humbled by their energy, passion and commitment. And in the context of their worldwide demand that governments actually (grow up and) take responsibility, we believe that what we are doing has never been more important: establishing ecocide law is a key action world leaders must take if they are to ever regain the respect of future generations.
Earth Protector Towns: pilot scheme launches
Photo by Ruth Davey/look-again.org
Stroud unanimously voted to become the first Earth Protector Town and celebrated in style in the Town Square last month. Glastonbury quickly followed suit, also by unanimous vote, and several other towns both in the UK and abroad are keen to take up the scheme, which involves collaboration and co-operation with communities, local government bodies, businesses, educational and other organisations to protect land, wildlife, air, soil and water – as well as support for a law of ecocide.
Every time a new town signs up it adds momentum to our campaign and creates pathways to bring a sustainable future closer. If your town is interested in becoming an Earth Protector Town please get in touch at hello@earthprotectortowns.earth!
UK Petition: 100K signatures by December?
A reminder about our Ecocide petition. If everyone who signed found 5 more people to sign, we could trigger a parliamentary debate on ecocide… so if you're a UK resident and know a few folk who care: get signing and sharing!
Other ways to help:
If you've previously signed up as a volunteer on paper, or would like to sign up now, please complete this volunteer form so we have your details, location and how you'd like to help the campaign:
Supporting us from your Earth Protector's armchair? Print out a placard HERE, take a selfie and post it on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Going on a march? Get in touch and request leaflets and placards to distribute.
Know a celebrity? Ask them to tweet about us...
Got some spare cash? Donate HERE.
And if you are a lawyer, academic, NGO official, journalist/blogger or other influencer/commentator and would be happy to declare your endorsement or even write about ecocide law, please also get in touch - we are compiling a database of professional supporters and would love you to be in it.
PS: French Translation?
We are particularly keen right now to find someone to translate our campaign website into French (Spanish already under way and coming soon we hope). If this sounds like you, please get in touch at team@stopecocide.earth.
Stop Ecocidio en Nueva York
Nuestra cofundadora, Jojo Mehta, estuvo en Nueva York la semana pasada junto con nuestra Jefa de Asociaciones Estratégicas, Shirleen Chin, para estar presente en reuniones clave – tanto diplomáticas como de establecimiento de contactos – en torno a la Cumbre de Acción Climática de la ONU. Fue una semana de no parar de hacer conexiones y potenciar la campaña lo que fue maravillosamente apoyado con el alojamiento en un precioso apartamento en Manhattan cedido por un Protector de la Tierra comprometido que además es un neoyorquino profundamente conocedor de la ciudad. ¡Tú sabes quién eres y te damos las gracias!
Como suele ser el caso, el trabajo diplomático viene acompañado de la confidencialidad diplomática, pero basta con decir que Vanuatu continúa siendo un fuerte aliado y que otros estados insulares también están interesados en hablar con nosotros.
Si bien la Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas pudo resultar decepcionante en varios frentes, hubo dos noticias sorprendentes: Rusia, el cuarto mayor emisor de CO2 del mundo, ha firmado el Acuerdo Climático de París esta semana y 65 países y grandes economías (como, por ejemplo, California) se han comprometido a reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero a cero neto para 2050. Puedes leer el comunicado de prensa de la ONU aquí. Aunque esto no está siendo tan rápido como desearíamos, muestra un fuerte cambio internacional hacia la necesidad de cero carbono en una fecha determinada.
New York Times, BBC, CBC...
En la primera entrevista sobre la campaña en un importante periódico internacional, Jojo fue ampliamente mencionada en un artículo del New York Times sobre la situación ecocida en Brasil. El Servicio Mundial de la BBC también habló con ella (a partir de 8m50s) y también puedes escuchar la excelente entrevista de la radio CBC (Canadá) aquí (a partir de 1m50s). Poco antes del viaje a Nueva York, Jojo también intervino en un programa de debate sobre el ecocidio en Al-Jazeera. Tendrás más información en las próximas semanas en este espacio y también puedes seguirnos en Twitter, Facebook o Instagram [enlaces] para recibir noticias actualizadas al momento.
Stop Ecocidio en la Rebelión Internacional
Extinction Rebellion (XR) ha declarado que va a realizar de forma pacífica un bloqueo en el centro de Londres este mes hasta que se cumplan tres peticiones: la verdad, la acción y una democracia adecuada para este propósito. Los movimientos aliados en 60 países también realizarán acciones simultáneamente.
Nosotros nos consideramos una campaña diferente aunque complementaria a la suya. Así es como lo describimos: “Los grandes cambios sociales (tales como el movimiento por los derechos civiles, el voto de las mujeres y la abolición de la trata de esclavos) siempre han sido impulsados por grandes movilizaciones de base, apoyadas por cambios legislativos. Extinction Rebellion y las Huelgas de la Juventud por el Clima han despertado al mundo al problema. La ley de Ecocidio es una solución legislativa concreta que ahora podemos exigir a nuestros gobiernos, para proteger la Tierra y a las generaciones futuras ”.
Stop Ecocide estará presente en la Rebelión y también contará con oradores en diferentes puntos.
Participación Internacional
En Stop Ecocidio estamos orgullosos de apoyar a estos increíbles jóvenes que están decididos a crear el cambio y de haber formado parte en las Huelgas Mundiales de los Jóvenes por el Clima, en las que han participado más de 4 millones de personas en 163 países.
Stop Ecocide se enorgullece de apoyar a los increíbles jóvenes decididos a crear cambios y participar en las huelgas climáticas juveniles mundiales, ¡con la participación de más de 7.6 millones en 185 países! Nos sentimos honrados por su energía, pasión y compromiso. Y en el contexto de su petición mundial de que los gobiernos realmente (crezcan y) asuman la responsabilidad, creemos que lo que estamos haciendo nunca ha sido más importante: establecer una ley de ecocidio es una acción clave que los líderes mundiales deben de realizar si alguna vez quieren recuperar el respeto de las generaciones futuras.
Ciudades Protectoras de la Tierra: Se lanza un plan piloto
Foto: Ruth Davey/look-again.org
Stroud se ha convertido por voto unánime en la primera Ciudad Protectora de la Tierra y lo celebró por todo lo alto en la Plaza de la Ciudad el mes pasado. Glastonbury rápidamente hizo lo mismo, también por votación unánime, y varias otras ciudades, tanto en el Reino Unido como en otros países, están interesadas en adoptar el plan, el cual implica la colaboración y la cooperación con comunidades, organismos gubernamentales locales, empresas, organizaciones educativas y otras que protegen la tierra, la vida silvestre, el aire, el suelo y el agua, así como dar apoyo a la ley de ecocidio.
Cada vez que se inscribe una nueva ciudad, ello da un impulso a nuestra campaña y crea caminos para tener más cerca un futuro sostenible. Si tu ciudad está interesada en convertirse en una Ciudad Protectora de la Tierra, por favor, ¡ponte en contacto con hello@earthprotectortowns.earth!
Petición en el Reino Unido: ¿100.000 firmas en diciembre?
Si cada una de las personas que ha firmado encontrase a 5 personas que quisieran firmar, podríamos provocar un debate parlamentario sobre el ecocidio... Por ello, si eres residente en el Reino Unido o conoces a alguien que le pudiera interesar: ¡haz que firmen y que lo compartan!
Otras formas de ayudar:
Si te has inscrito previamente como voluntario sobre papel o bien te gustaría inscribirte ahora, por favor completa este formulario de voluntariado para que podamos tener así tus detalles, la localidad y cómo te gustaría ayudar a la campaña:
¿Eres Protector de la Tierra y nos apoyas desde casa? Imprime un cartel desde AQUÍ, hazte un selfie y publícala en las redes sociales. Síguenos en Facebook, Twitter e Instagram.
¿Vas a una manifestación? Ponte en contacto con nosotros y te facilitaremos folletos y pancartas para distribuir.
¿Conoces a alguna celebridad? Pídeles que tuitteen sobre nosotros.
¿Tienes algo de dinero extra? Dona AQUÍ.
Y si eres abogado, académico, trabajador en una ONG, periodista/bloguero u otro tipo de influencer/comentarista y estás dispuesto a declarar públicamente tu apoyo o incluso escribir sobre la ley de ecocidio, ponte también en contacto con nosotros. Estamos construyendo una base de datos de simpatizantes profesionales y te encantará estar en ella.
P.D. La traducción al francés
En estos momentos estamos especialmente interesados en encontrar a alguien que traduzca la página web de nuestra campaña al francés (el español está en estos momentos llevándose a cabo y pronto esperamos tenerla lista). Si te apetece, por favor contacta con team@stopecocide.earth.
From the mouths of Heads of State
From the mouths of Heads of State
The situation in the Amazon has brought heightened awareness of ecocide not just as a word but as a happening-now reality... although we notice the word is still usually printed in quotation marks as "ecocide", French president Emmanuel Macron declared last Friday that "the Amazon is burning and this is an issue that concerns the entire world, because it is a source of biodiversity. We have a real ecocide that is developing everywhere in the Amazon and not only in Brazil". While the circumstances are clearly dire, we have to appreciate that the sheer scale of what is going on means the concept is becoming ever harder to avoid. To see our statement on the Amazon situation please go to our Blog page.
A Busy Summer...
It's been an incredibly busy few weeks for the Stop Ecocide team in the UK. Many festival-goers have been happy to show their support at talks across the country. This has been a fantastic opportunity to speak to larger crowds and we've had an excellent response as reflected in our number of Earth Protectors... as someone pointed out recently, far from lamenting that some petitions get this many signatures in a week, we ought to be thinking about this number as "membership" and for a relatively young campaign over 11,000 paid up subscribers is a remarkable achievement, and increasing all the time.
Below Jojo Mehta addresses hundreds onstage before Xavier Rudd's set at Boomtown Fair. Rudd is himself an activist and committed environmentalist so it felt appropriate that the organisers gave us that slot! We even gave him a copy of the campaign song written by one of our Earth Protectors (rough demo HERE with madly catchy chorus) - you never know!!!
Other festivals allowed for more in-depth discussion - you can watch Jojo's Port Eliot Festival talk HERE (1 hour). Other team members took the message to WOMAD, the Green Gathering, Sundara, Sunrise and Shambala Festivals and no doubt there will be others before the end of the season!
And it's not just all in the UK!
The Stop Ecocide campaign is beginning to gain traction in Spain. This month key Spanish #EarthVoice Maite Mompó has taken part in two events (one related to the destruction of the Amazon and the other to climate change) giving short talks about our work. We are welcoming increasing numbers of Protectores de la Tierra...
Earth Protector Town pilot scheme
Over the summer a number of towns have been preparing to take part in a pilot scheme launching in our hometown of Stroud next Saturday 7th September, and due to include participants in Greece, The Netherlands, other European countries and hopefully others from across the globe.
Working together within and between towns, it aims to provide a local-to-global approach to address the climate and ecological crisis we are facing. It also helps Towns Councils, businesses and citizens to prepare for the inevitable adoption of a law of ecocide. How might that be considered with regard to energy, waste, procurement, infrastructure, education, and land management?
It's a small global experiment we believe could turn into a big global movement, showing the way for local communities and local economies so that a world based on a "first do no harm" principle can be brought into view in a substantial and practical way.
Fancy giving a talk yourself?
We now have a 2 minute prepared speech and a 15-20 minute powerpoint presentation available for download on the website HERE.
International Youth Conference
Further afield Shirleen Chin our Head of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships attended the 3rd annual conference of the Center for United Nations Constitutional Research (CUNCR, Brussels) on Climate Democracy and Justice. It was held in Brussels, Corfu and Epirus in Greece. Shirleen was invited to train a group of 21 young Climate Ambassadors from around the world on the work towards establishing ecocide as a fifth atrocity crime under the Rome Statute. The group set up a taskforce to continue collaborating across the globe.
To hear Shirleen speak, go to this link where she is on ABC Radio Australia talking about our campaign to encourage Pacific leaders to take climate change to international courts.
And the diplomatic work progresses...
Jojo was pleased to attend the Vanuatu Embassy in Brussels last month for the 39th Anniversary of Vanuatu's Independence. His Excellency John Licht, Vanuatan Ambassador, paid special tribute to Polly and her work. Jojo sampled Vanuatu's speciality (cava, a non-alcoholic herbal traditional drink!) and was invited to address the distinguished guests about ecocide law and our ongoing work with Vanuatu.
Stop Ecocide t-shirts are now on their way out as gifts for Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu and others!
(Have you bought yours yet!) You can get them HERE.
Nabil Ahmed, our Senior Researcher, is currently in the Pacific, lecturing to students there about Ecocide among other engagements.
Stop Ecocide and Extinction Rebellion
Many people have been asking about the connection between Stop Ecocide and Extinction Rebellion as there has sometimes been some confusion about this. We are two separate organisations, but highly complementary. To explain the relationship we've written a blog post which you can find HERE.
Keep that Petition rolling!
Our UK petition has more than 16000 signatures. The government response to our petition has been sadly inadequate, you can read the government response on the petition page HERE and our response to that is HERE.
IF WE CAN GET 100k SIGNATURES BY DECEMBER WE COULD TRIGGER A PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE, so if you are a UK resident do please sign and share if you haven't already.
We have also been creating a few short explanatory videos about the campaign to help people understand what we are trying to do. There is now a range of 2 minute videos on youtube and our website to explain various aspects of the campaign, here are just a few of them. We encourage you to please blog about and link to these talks to spread the word.
Stop Ecocide in under 2 minutes
The Crime of Ecocide, Polly Higgins
Other ways to help us...
Supporting us from your Earth Protector's armchair? Print out a placard HERE, take a selfie and post it on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Going on a march? Get in touch and request leaflets and placards to distribute.
Know a celebrity? Ask them to tweet about us...
Got some spare cash? Donate HERE.
And if you are a lawyer, academic, NGO official, journalist/blogger or other influencer/commentator and would be happy to declare your endorsement or even write about ecocide law, please also get in touch - we are compiling a database of professional supporters and would love you to be in it.
And a reminder, do sign our petition to make Ecocide a criminal law in the UK HERE.
PS: Letters to the Earth...
We're happy to report that this book, soon to be published by Harper Collins, includes some of Polly's words. It's a collection of letters from leading thinkers, artists and changemakers responding to the climate crisis. Other contributors include Emma Thompson, Yoko Ono, Caroline Lucas and Mark Rylance. You can preorder your copy HERE.
En boca de los Jefes de Estado
Querida amiga, querido amigo
Esta semana, la situación en la Amazonía ha hecho aumentar la concienciación sobre el ecocidio, no sólo como una mera palabra sino como una realidad que está sucediendo ahora... Aunque hemos visto que la palabra todavía suele ser citada entre comillas como "ecocidio", el presidente francés Emmanuel Macron declaró el viernes pasado que "la Amazonía se está quemando y éste es un tema que preocupa al mundo entero, porque es una fuente de biodiversidad. Tenemos un verdadero ecocidio que se está desarrollando en todas partes de la Amazonía y no sólo en Brasil". Si bien las circunstancias son claramente graves, debemos de tener en cuenta que la magnitud de lo que está sucediendo implica que el concepto se está volviendo cada vez más difícil de evitar. Si deseas ver nuestra declaración sobre la situación en la Amazonia, puedes dirigirte a nuestro Blog.
Un verano sin parar...
Para el equipo de Stop Ecocide (Paremos el Ecocidio) en el Reino Unido han sido unas semanas con una increíble cantidad de trabajo. A muchas personas que van a festivales de música les ha encantado apoyar la campaña dando charlas de presentación por todo el país. Ésta ha sido una oportunidad fantástica para hablar con multitudes más grandes y hemos obtenido una respuesta excelente, tal como se refleja en el número de Protectores de la Tierra... Como alguien remarcó recientemente, lejos de lamentar que algunas peticiones obtengan estas mismas firmas en una semana, nosotros debemos pensar en este número como "membresía"... y para una campaña relativamente joven, tener más de 11.000 suscriptores que han pagado es un logro notable y más porque el número está incrementándose constantemente.
A continuación, encontraréis un video en el que Jojo Mehta se dirige desde el escenario a cientos de personas justo antes de que Xavier Rudd diera comienzo al Festival de Boomtown. Como el propio Rudd es un activista y ecologista comprometido, permitió que los organizadores nos dieran ese espacio! Incluso pudimos darle una copia de la canción de la campaña que ha sido escrita por uno de nuestros Protectores de la Tierra (AQUI tienes una muestra de esta canción que tiene un coro tremendamente pegadizo ) - ¡Nunca se sabe!
En otros festivales de música pudo abordarse el tema de una manera más profunda: puedes ver la charla de Jojo de una hora de duración en el Festival de Port Eliot AQUI. Otras personas miembras del equipo de Stop Ecocide (Paremos el Ecocidio) llevaron el mensaje al WOMAD, a los Festivales Green Gathering, Sundara, Sunrise y Shambala ¡y sin duda habrá otros antes del final de la temporada!
¡Y no es que todo ocurra sólo en el Reino Unido!
En España, los Protectores de la Tierra están empezando a abrirse camino. Durante este mes, Maite Mompó, embajadora de Stop Ecocide (Paremos el Ecocidio) ha participado en dos actos (uno relacionado con la destrucción de la Amazonía y otro relacionado con el cambio climático) habiendo tenido la oportunidad de hablar un poco sobre nuestro movimiento.
Proyecto piloto de Ciudad Protectora de la Tierra
Durante este verano, varias ciudades y pueblos se han estado preparando para formar parte de una prueba piloto que se presentará en Stroud, nuestra localidad, el próximo Sábado 7 de septiembre y que incluirá a participantes de Grecia, Holanda y otros países europeos y esperemos que de otros lugares del mundo.
El trabajar juntos desde dentro y entre las ciudades tiene como objetivo proporcionar un enfoque que va de lo local a lo global para abordar las crisis climática y ecológica a las que enfrentamos. También ayuda a los Ayuntamientos, las empresas y los ciudadanos a prepararse para la inevitable adopción de una ley de ecocidio. ¿Cual será su papel con respecto a la energía, los residuos, el aprovisionamiento, las infraestructuras, la educación y la gestión de la tierra?
Se trata de un pequeño experimento mundial que pensamos que prodría convertirse en un gran movimiento mundial al mostrar a las comunidades y economías locales el camino para poder ver de una manera sustancial y práctica un mundo basado en el principio de "primero no hacer daño".
¿Te apetece dar una charla tú mismo?
Ahora tenemos disponible un discurso de 2 minutos y una presentación de PowerPoint de 15-20 minutos que puedes descargar de nuestra web. Pincha AQUÍ.
La Conferencia Internacional de la Juventud
Ahora nos vamos un poco más lejos. Shirleen Chin, nuestra Jefa de Promoción y Alianzas Estratégicas, asistió a la tercera Conferencia anual del Centro de Investigación Constitucional de las Naciones Unidas (CUNCR, Bruselas) sobre Democracia y Justicia Climática. Se celebró en Bruselas, Corfú y Epiro en Grecia. Shirleen fue invitada a preparar a un grupo de 21 Embajadores Climáticos jóvenes de todo el mundo para que trabajen en el establecimiento del ecocidio como el quinto crimen atroz recogido en el Estatuto de Roma. Los jóvenes han creado un grupo de trabajo para continuar colaborando en todo el mundo.
Puedes ir a este enlace para escuchar a Shirleen hablando en la cadena ABC Radio Australia sobre nuestra campaña para alentar a los líderes del Pacífico a llevar el cambio climático a los tribunales internacionales.
Y el trabajo diplomático va progresando:
Para Jojo fue un honor asistir a la Embajada de Vanuatu en Bruselas el mes pasado para el 39 Aniversario de la Independencia del país, una isla-estado situada al noreste de Australia. Su Excelencia John Licht, el embajador de Vanuatu, rindió un homenaje especial a Polly y a su trabajo. Jojo tomó la bebida típica del país (el cava, una bebida tradicional no alcohólica que está hecha a base de hierbas) y se le invitó a dirigirse a los distinguidos invitados para hablar sobre la ley de ecocidio y nuestro continuo trabajo con Vanuatu.
¡Camisetas con el logo“Stop Ecocide” (Paremos el Ecocidio) se encuentran ahora de camino como regalo para Ralph Regenvanu, el Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores, y otros!
Puedes conseguir la tuya AQUÍ.
Nabil Ahmed, nuestro investigador principal, está actualmente en el Pacífico dando conferencias a estudiantes sobre el Ecocidio, entre otros cosas.
Stop Ecocide (Paremos el Ecocidio) y Extinction Rebellion (Rebelión a la Extinción)
Muchas personas nos han preguntando sobre la conexión entre Stop Ecocide y Extinction Rebellion ya que a veces ha habido cierta confusión al respecto. Somos dos organizaciones separadas, pero altamente complementarias. Para explicar la relación, hemos escrito un post en nuestro blog que puedes encontrar AQUI.
¡Sigamos manteniendo en marcha la petición!
La petición lanzada desde el Reino Unido para conseguir la Ley de Ecocidio tiene mas que 16.000 firmas. La respuesta del gobierno a nuestra petición ha sido tristemente inadecuada. Puedes leerla en la página de la petición AQUÍ la respuesta que hemos dado AQUÍ.
SI PUDIÉRAMOS CONSEGUIR 100.000 FIRMAS PARA DICIEMBRE, PRODRÍAMOS CONSEGUIR UN DEBATE PARLAMENTARIO. Por lo tanto, si eres residente en el Reino Unido, por favor firma y comparte si aún no lo has hecho.
También hemos creado unos vídeos cortos que explican la campaña para ayudar a la gente a entender lo que estamos intentando conseguir. Ahora hay varios vídeos de dos minutos en youtube que explican varios aspectos de la campaña. Aquí tienes algunos de ellos. Te animamos a que escribas en tu blog y/o redes y que pongas el enlace a estas charlas para así hacer correr la voz.
Stop Ecocide in under 2 minutes (Paremos el Ecocidio explicado en 2 minutos)
The Crime of Ecocide, Polly Higgins (El Crímen del Ecocidio, Polly Higgins)
Stop Ecocide and the economy (Paremos el Ecocidio y la economía)
Otras formas de ayudar:
¿Eres Protector de la Tierra y nos apoyas desde casa? Imprime un cartel desde AQUÍ, hazte un selfie y publícala en las redes sociales. Síguenos en Facebook, Twitter e Instagram.
¿Vas a una manifestación? Ponte en contacto con nosotros y te facilitaremos folletos y pancartas para distribuir.
¿Conoces a alguna celebridad? Pídeles que tuitteen sobre nosotros.
¿Tienes algo de dinero extra? Dona AQUÍ.
Y si eres abogado, académico, trabajador en una ONG, periodista/bloguero u otro tipo de influencer/comentarista y estás dispuesto a declarar públicamente tu apoyo o incluso escribir sobre la ley de ecocidio, ponte también en contacto con nosotros. Estamos construyendo una base de datos de simpatizantes profesionales y te encantará estar en ella.
P.D. Cartas a la Tierra
Estamos felices de poder comunicar que este libro, que incluye palabras de Polly, pronto será publicado por Harper Collins. Es una colección de cartas de líderes que son pensadores, artistas y agentes del cambio y que responden a la crisis climática. Entre otras personas, han contribuido Emma Thompson, Yoko Ono, Caroline Lucas y Mark Rylance. Pre-ordene su copia AQUÍ.
Sailing into national news
Sailing into national news
This month, 5 cities in the UK had Extinction Rebellion boats blocking the roads to bring awareness to climate and ecological emergency. The London boat was blue, parked in front of the Royal Courts of Justice - and was named Polly Higgins! Extinction Rebellion hoisted a flag saying "MAKE ECOCIDE LAW".
Jojo Mehta (above) was invited to speak about Polly and the campaign, and was interviewed by a number of journalists, even ending up on the national evening news (Channel 4).
You can see Real Media's excellent piece about the event below (approx 12 mins).
Extinction Rebellion has been spreading the word about us on social media for a while now, and has explicitly endorsed the campaign, see HERE.
As Jojo noted in her speech, major freedoms won in the past - from the banning of slavery to the suffragettes, from conscientious objectors to civil rights - have always had two key components: a strong grassroots movement and legal changes.
So there is a strong complementarity here... and while not every Earth Protector may want to blockade the streets, we think everyone blockading the streets will want to be an Earth Protector and help bring about ecocide law.
The last month has been all about raising the profile of ecocide law, especially in the UK. The above video is a TV panel show called RoundTable - this episode first aired on Sky at the end of June and is now available on YouTube. Jojo Mehta took part alongside lawyers and academics to discuss Polly Higgins' work and the potential of ecocide law.
Glastonbury & the Wisdom Keepers
Our placards were very much in evidence in the Wisdom Keepers procession with indigenous Elders at Glastonbury Festival (organised by Extinction Rebellion), and well-known climate lawyer Farhana Yamin arranged (amazingly) to take over the "Other Stage" for 20 minutes on the Sunday and held a 1-minute silence in honour of Polly! She was accompanied by Wisdom Keeper Ninawa and XR co-founder Gail Bradbrook. (Wisdom Keeper Kurikindi also spoke on the Polly Higgins boat in London on Monday during a moving water ceremony.)
While we're on the subject, you may have heard that the Waorani this week won their high court appeal in Ecuador to uphold a judgement protecting half a million acres of ancestral Amazon forest. These indigenous campaigners are true Earth Protectors, and have quite literally been doing our job for us in protecting the body of the Earth that sustains all life, including ours and our childrens'. With a crime of ecocide in place, these battles shall become a thing of the past.
(Footage of the historic march of the tribes earlier this year will form part of one of two short films we intend to show alongside the ICC conference in December. The other focuses on the Pacific.)
Drawing historic parallels
Sir David Attenborough, the UK's most influential and revered voice on the natural world, recently spoke before parliament about our planetary ecological crisis and drew clear parallels between climate activists and the 19C abolitionist movement. This is of particular interest in that before the abolition of slavery hundreds of businesses claimed it would spell the end of the British economy, just as today we repeatedly hear that taking action for the planet will harm the economy. In fact with a managed transition period, not one of those businesses went under, but simply began trading in different ways...
Petitions now live: sign and share!
Supporting us from your Earth Protector's armchair? Print out a placard HERE, take a selfie and post it on social media. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Going on a march? Get in touch and request leaflets and placards to distribute.
Know a celebrity? Ask them to tweet about us...
Got some spare cash? Donate HERE.
And if you are a lawyer, academic, NGO official, journalist/blogger or other influencer/commentator and would be happy to declare your endorsement or even write about ecocide law, please also get in touch - we are compiling a database of professional supporters and would love you to be in it.
**********************************************
PS: that party
The Polly in Wonderland party on 30th June at beautiful Sallywood Farm in the Cotswolds was a truly memorable occasion... there was much merriment, music and dancing, delicious delicacies, a remarkable Rabbit Hole, live community Chess, a Caterpillar Oracle on a magical Mushroom... and an amazing sense of Polly's presence. It also provided an opportunity to introduce the team, seen here in all their fancy dress finery. (Our website will soon be updated to show who we all are.) Some wonderful pics of the event were taken by Mark Saunders - copies can be browsed and purchased HERE (password ‘jojo’) with proceeds going to the campaign.
Navegando en las noticias nacionales
Esta semana, 5 ciudades de Reino Unido han tenido barcos de "Extinction Rebellion" bloqueando las calles para concienciar de la emergencia climática y ecológica. El barco de Londres se estacionó frente a la Corte Real de Justicia, era de color azúl y ¡lo bautizaron con el nombre de Polly Higgins! "Extinction Rebellion" izó una bandera que decía "HAGAMOS EL ECOCIDIO LEY".
Jojo Mehta (arriba), fue invitada para hablar sobre Polly y la campaña y la entrevistaron varios periodistas, e incluso cerró las noticias nacionales de la tarde (Canal 4).
A continuación, puede ver el excelente artículo de Real Media sobre el evento (aproximadamente 12 minutos).
Extinction Rebellion ha corrido la voz sobre nosotros en las redes sociales y ha respaldado explícitamente la campaña. Ver AQUÍ.
Como señaló Jojo en su discurso, las principales libertades conseguidas en el pasado, desde la prohibición de la esclavitud hasta las sufragistas, desde los objetores de conciencia hasta los derechos civiles, siempre han tenido dos componentes clave: un fuerte movimiento de base y cambios legales.
Por lo tanto, hay un gran paralelismo aquí ... y aunque no todos los Protectores de la Tierra quieran bloquear las calles, creemos que todos los que bloquean las calles querrían ser Protectores de la Tierra y ayudar a conseguir la ley del ecocidio.
Durante el último mes nos hemos centrado en resaltar la importancia de la ley del ecocidio, especialmente en el Reino Unido. El video de arriba es sobre un programa de televisión llamado "Mesa Redonda". Este episodio se emitió por primera vez en Sky a finales de junio y ahora está disponible en YouTube. Jojo Mehta participó junto con abogados y profesores universitarios para discutir sobre el trabajo de Polly Higgins y el potencial de la ley del ecocidio.
Glastonbury y los guardianes de la sabiduría
Nuestras pancartas destacaron especialmente en la procesión de los Guardianes de la Sabiduría junto a los Ancianos indígenas en el Festival de Glastonbury (organizado por Extinction Rebellion), y la conocida abogada sobre el clima Farhana Yamin coordinó para hacerse cargo de la "Otra Etapa" durante 20 minutos en el Domingo y ¡guardó un minuto de silencio en honor a Polly! La acompañaron el Guardián de la Sabiduría Ninawa y la cofundadora de XR, Gail Bradbrook. (El lunes en Londres también habló el Guardián de la Sabiduría Kurikindi en el barco de Polly Higgins durante una ceremonia de agua emocionante).
Mientras abordamos el tema, es posible que haya escuchado que los Waorani ganaron esta semana ante un tribunal superior en Ecuador su apelación para defender un fallo que protege medio millón de acres de bosque ancestral del Amazonas. Estos activistas indígenas son verdaderos protectores de la Tierra y, literalmente, han estado haciendo nuestro trabajo por nosotros para proteger el cuerpo de la Tierra que sustenta toda la vida, incluyendo la nuestra y la de nuestros hijos. Con la existencia del crimen del ecocidio, estas batallas se convertirán en una cosa del pasado.
(Las imágenes de la marcha histórica de las tribus a principios de este año, formarán parte de uno de los dos cortometrajes que pretendemos mostrar junto con la conferencia de la CPI en diciembre. El otro se centra en el Pacífico).
Dibujando paralelismos historicos
Sir David Attenborough, la voz más influyente y venerada del Reino Unido en el mundo natural, habló recientemente ante el parlamento sobre la crisis ecológica planetaria y estableció claros paralelismos entre los activistas del clima y el movimiento abolicionista del siglo XIX. Esto es de particular interés ya que, antes de la abolición de la esclavitud, cientos de empresas afirmaron que supondría el fin de la economía británica, al igual que hoy repetidamente escuchamos que tomar medidas drásticas a favor del planeta dañará la economía. De hecho, tras un período de transición, ninguna de esas empresas se hundió, sino que simplemente comenzó a negociar de diferente manera.
Las peticiones están en marcha ... ¡firmen y compartan!
¿Eres Protector de la Tierra y nos apoyas desde casa? Imprime un cartel desdeAQUÍ, hazte un selfie y publícala en las redes sociales. Síguenos en Facebook, Twitter e Instagram.
¿Vas a una manifestación? Ponte en contacto con nosotros y te facilitaremos folletos y pancartas para distribuir.
¿Conoces a alguna celebridad? Pídeles que tuitteen sobre nosotros.
¿Tienes algo de dinero extra? Dona AQUÍ.
Y si eres abogado, académico, trabajador en una ONG, periodista/bloguero u otro tipo de influencer/comentarista y estás dispuesto a declarar públicamente tu apoyo o incluso escribir sobre la ley de ecocidio, ponte también en contacto con nosotros. Estamos construyendo una base de datos de simpatizantes profesionales y te encantará estar en ella.
*******************************
PD: esa fiesta...
La fiesta de Polly en el País de las Maravillas el 30 de junio en Sallywood Farm en los Cotswolds fue una ocasión verdaderamente memorable ... Hubo mucha alegría, música y baile, comida deliciosa, un genial personaje de Conejo, una comunidad en vivo de ajedrez, una oruga oráculo en una seta mágica ... y una sensación increíble de que Polly estaba con nosotros. También brindó la oportunidad de presentar al equipo, que se ve aquí en todas sus vestimentas de disfraces. (Nuestro sitio web se actualizará pronto para mostrar quiénes somos todos). Mark Saunders tomó algunas fotos maravillosas del evento; las copias se pueden buscar y comprar AQUÍ y los ingresos que se destinarán a la campaña.
Pacific progress
Pacific progress
Above are two of our core legal team, Senior Researcher Nabil Ahmed (left in the pic) and Head of Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships Shirleen Chin (right) at a diplomatic dinner in Port Vila, Vanuatu - Pacific style! - last week.
They were featured speakers at a Pacific Round Table involving civil and academic experts alongside parliamentarians from Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribas, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. Also attending were representatives from the international Criminal Court. The meeting was organised by Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) and you can see more detail HERE.
Discussing membership of the ICC, implementation of the Rome Statute and its relevance for the region, this was the perfect forum for our non-profit Ecological Defence Integrity to speak on ecocide law.
Important connections were cemented during the visit and next steps discussed with key officials. Below: Shirleen and Nabil with Vanuatan Ambassador John Licht and Vanuatan Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu, keynote speaker at the Round Table on the existential threat posed to the region by climate breakdown and the particular relevance of international environmental law.
Be an Ambassador too!
You too can be an Ambassador - for the campaign. If you're heading to a festival this summer and would like to hand out flyers, give a short talk or run a stall, or simply be a walking billboard like this lovely woman, please get in touch with Jo Khimba at jgk@stopecocide.earth. Or you may want to run a video evening in your living room or at a local venue - let us know!
Government petitions
We believe the first countries to step up and propose Ecocide as a fifth crime in the Rome Statute will be those, like Vanuatu, with the strongest incentive. However it is also vitally important that the idea is made visible across the world.
We've therefore just begun encouraging Earth Protectors across the globe to register national petitions with their own governments, using those governments' official software. Our UK petition is currently in moderation stage but will be live soon. If you would like to start one in your own country please feel free to translate this text (NB we recommend you checking with a professional translator before initialising your government petition). Once your petition is live please let us know so that we can link to it!
New! social media ID
Last but not least, you can now declare yourself an Earth Protector on social media by using a FRAME (Facebook - search Stop Ecocide) or a TWIBBON (Twitter or Facebook). You can also find Facebook and Twitter header pics to download from THIS PAGE of the website.
Thank you all for taking action towards justice & a legal duty of care for people & planet.
*** Polly's Team ***
A remarkable farewell
A remarkable farewell
Friday 3rd May was the most wonderful funeral Polly Higgins could have wished for, full of tears, inspiration, laughter, music, organic whisky... and taking over the public highway! The church was so packed that speakers had to be placed outside as well...
Looking back at the colourful procession wending its way along the lane from the ceremony to the meadow burial ground it must be said that we created a whole new and uplifting meaning for the phrase "funeral march"... Polly would have thoroughly approved! She now rests among trees overlooking the beautiful Slad Valley and her favourite pub, the Woolpack, which has probably never handed out so many whiskies in one afternoon.
A few pics are included below (courtesy of Polly's unofficial-official-photographer Ruth Davey) and you can download the order of ceremony HERE and the eulogies HERE.
Now all we need to do is sign up those MILLION EARTH PROTECTORS that Polly wanted to see...
JUST IMAGINE:
With a million Earth Protectors standing with them, the climate-vulnerable states brave enough to take forward ecocide law will feel safe, and visible, and supported - states like Vanuatu, whose Ambassador John Licht, in a deeply moving gesture of acknowledgment, presented a traditional burial mat upon which Polly's willow casket was ceremonially laid in the Earth.
This visibility and support is crucially important to prevent intervention by vested interests. And with a growing movement of Earth Protectors, our legal team will be resourced to provide the expert assistance Polly spent her last years laying the essential groundwork for.
"Polly's team" expands
Since Polly herself has expanded into other dimensions (which feels like the most accurate way to describe it!) a most remarkable thing has been happening. People with essential skills have been stepping up to form part of a rapidly expanding team - so that both the legal and the campaign side of Polly's work can now be taken forward with confidence.
Key strategic meetings on the legal and diplomatic side took place in London yesterday (see below) and two of the team shall be attending a Pacific Roundtable scheduled this month. We expect to return to the International Criminal Court's annual Assembly of States Parties this year with a higher profile than ever.
The beginnings of an easy 5-step "campaign package" are under way as well, to help people to speak and inform others. We realise how important it is that people are able to communicate easily about ecocide law and have ready answers to frequently asked questions.
We must all now be pollinators - "Polly-nators" - of an idea whose time has come... (thank you Rosalinda Namises from Namibia and Jehanne Mehta from Stroud for seeding that lovely concept into the burial ceremony!)
Honouring Polly
For those who have not had a chance to see it yet, Polly's scheduled talk for the Findhorn Climate Change & Consciousness conference on 25th April was replaced by this tribute and honouring of her work by Jojo Mehta (now communications director for the campaign), with a wonderful no-holds-barred introduction from Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion.
A reminder of why...
And as a timely reminder of why a CRIMINAL law of ecocide is so crucial - click on the above image to see a report just out that shows banks have actually been increasing their support of aggressive fossil fuel expansion since the Paris agreement. No amount of climate negotiating is able to deal with this. Only when ecocidal activity becomes criminal will the money have to go elsewhere.
Indigenous voices at the ICC
In January of this year, Polly tasked a small team with documenting the Indigenous people of the Amazon standing up to defend the forest - with a view to highlighting in a short film the impact of ecocide and the requirement for law to criminalise it. It is intended to be shown at this year's International Criminal Court Assembly in December and will also be publicly released. The team has returned with some incredible footage and is now hoping to raise the remaining funds required to produce the finished film. If this sounds like something you would like to support, please click HERE or on the above image.
Polly in Wonderland
The party Polly requested in her will is scheduled for Sunday 30th June at a venue close to Stroud yet to be confirmed. There will be tributes of all kinds, much music and dancing, shared food, fancy dress (of course)... and a special message from Polly herself, written for the occasion some years ago and just discovered this week. All shall be welcome.
Thank you all for being with us on the continuing journey towards justice and a legal duty of care for this beautiful Earth.
*** Polly's Team ***
Una despedida excepcional
El viernes 3 de mayo fue el funeral más maravilloso que Polly Higgins pudo haber deseado. Lleno de lágrimas, inspiración, risas, música, whisky ecológico ... ¡y nos adueñamos de la vía pública! La iglesia estaba tan llena que los oradores tuvieron que salirse fuera ...
Mirando hacia atrás, hacia la colorida procesión que se abría camino a lo largo del recorrido desde la ceremonia hasta el cementerio de la pradera, podemos decir que dimos un significado completamente nuevo e inspirador a la frase "marcha fúnebre" ... ¡Polly lo habría aprobado completamente! Ahora descansa entre los árboles que dominan el hermoso valle de Slad y su pub favorito, el Woolpack, que probablemente nunca haya repartido tantos whiskies en una tarde.
A continuación, se incluyen algunas fotografías (cortesía de Ruth Davey, la fotógrafa oficial de Polly) y se puede descargar la transmisión de la ceremonia AQUÍ y los elogios AQUÍ.
A partir de ahora, todo lo que necesitamos hacer es registrar a esos MILLONES DE PROTECTORES DE LA TIERRA que Polly quería ver ...
IMAGINA:
Con un millón de Protectores de la Tierra, los estados vulnerables al clima lo suficientemente valientes como para llevar adelante la ley del ecocidio, se sentirán seguros, visibles y apoyados. Estados como Vanuatu, cuyo Embajador John Licht, en un gesto de reconocimiento profundamente conmovedor, ofrendó un lecho fúnebre tradicional sobre el cual se colocó ceremoniosamente el cofre de sauce de Polly en la tierra.
Esta visibilidad y apoyo tiene una importancia crucial para prevenir la intervención de intereses creados. Y con un creciente movimiento de Protectores de la Tierra, nuestro equipo legal contará con los recursos necesarios para brindar la asistencia adecuada a cuyas bases Polly dedicó sus últimos años.
"El equipo de Polly" se expande
Desde que Polly se ha expandido en otras dimensiones (¡lo que parece ser la forma más precisa de describirlo!), algo destacable ha estado sucediendo. Algunas personas con habilidades esenciales han pasado a formar parte de un equipo que se está expandiendo rápidamente, de modo que tanto el aspecto legal como el de la campaña del trabajo de Polly ahora pueden llevarse a cabo con confianza.
Las reuniones estratégicas claves en el marco legal y diplomático tuvieron lugar ayer en Londres (ver más abajo), y dos miembros del equipo asistirán a una mesa redonda del Pacífico programada para este mes. Este año esperamos regresar a la Asamblea anual de Estados Parte de la Corte Penal Internacional con un posicionamiento más cualificado que nunca.
También están en marcha los comienzos de un sencillo "paquete de campaña" de 5 pasos para ayudar a las personas a hablar e informar a otros. Nos damos cuenta de lo importante que es que las personas puedan comunicarse fácilmente sobre la ley del ecocidio y tengan respuestas listas para las preguntas más frecuentes.
Todos debemos ser polinizadores - "Polly-nators" - de una idea cuyo tiempo ha llegado ... (¡Gracias Rosalinda Namises de Namibia y Jehanne Mehta de Stroud por sembrar ese hermoso concepto en la ceremonia del entierro!)
Honrando a Polly
Para aquellos que aún no han tenido la oportunidad de verlo, la charla de Polly programada para la conferencia "Findhorn Climate Change & Consciousness" del 25 de abril, fue reemplazada por este tributo y homenaje a su trabajo por Jojo Mehta (ahora Directora de Comunicaciones de la campaña), con una maravillosa introducción sin restricciones de Gail Bradbrook, cofundadora de "Extinction Rebellion."
Un recordatorio de por qué...
Y como un recordatorio oportuno de por qué una ley penal del ecocidio es tan crucial: haga clic en la imagen de arriba para ver un informe que muestra que los bancos realmente han aumentado su apoyo a la expansión agresiva de los combustibles fósiles desde el Acuerdo de París. Ninguna cantidad de negociaciones sobre el clima es capaz de lidiar con esto. Únicamente cuando la actividad ecocida se vuelva criminal, podrá el dinero destinarse a otra parte.
Voces indígenas en la CPI
En enero de este año, Polly encargó a un pequeño equipo la tarea de documentar a los pueblos indígenas de la Amazonia para defender el bosque, con el fin de resaltar en un cortometraje el impacto del ecocidio y la necesidad de que la ley lo penalice. Está previsto que en diciembre de este año se muestre en la Asamblea de la Corte Penal Internacional y también se dará a conocer públicamente. El equipo ha regresado con algunas imágenes increíbles y ahora espera recaudar los fondos restantes necesarios para producir la película terminada. Si le gustaría apoyar esto, haga clic AQUÍ o en la imagen de arriba.
Polly en el País de las Maravillas
La fiesta que Polly solicitó en su testamento está programada para el domingo 30 de junio, en un lugar cercano a Stroud que aún no se ha confirmado. Habrá homenajes de todo tipo, mucha música y baile, comida, disfraces (por supuesto), y un mensaje especial de Polly escrito para la ocasión hace algunos años y que se acaba de descubrir esta semana. Todos serán bienvenidos.
Gracias a todos por estar con nosotros en el continuo viaje hacia la justicia y el deber legal de cuidar esta hermosa Tierra.
**** El equipo de Polly ***
Extraordinary times, extraordinary timings
(Desplácese hacia abajo para leer en español)
Extraordinary times, extraordinary timings
As you may well have heard by now, our beloved and inspirational Polly Higgins departed this physical dimension on the afternoon of Easter Sunday, at the end of an extraordinary week that saw her life's work begin to emerge into the awareness of thousands. She left peacefully, in the company of her devoted husband Ian and close friends, with a mischievous smile on her face.
Her timing was extraordinary. Not an hour after her passing, thousands across London were singing and remembering her (shortly before the appearance of Greta Thunberg on the Extinction Rebellion stage). The news has spread so fast that we are having trouble keeping up with the coverage and the social media ... which is wonderful and nothing less than she would have wished. It seems the world may finally be ready to hear what she has been saying for so long.
Celebrating Polly
This pic shows (left to right) Jojo Mehta, Polly's closest colleague and co-founder of the Earth Protectors campaign; Ian Lawrie QC, Polly's beloved husband; and Katy Olivia van Tergow, Polly's trusted deputy in The Netherlands. We can all attest that it is actually impossible to think about Polly for any length of time without smiling!
Polly was absolutely clear that she wanted to be celebrated rather than mourned, and left a number of specific requests to this effect:
Honouring Polly (for Findhorn CCC19)
Polly was due to be a keynote speaker today Thursday 25th April at the FindhornClimate Change & Consciousness conference. She said (from her hospital bed 3 weeks ago) that she intended to record the talk instead at Hawkwood College in Stroud for broadcast at Findhorn. In her absence her colleague Jojo Mehta will be speaking at Hawkwood to honour Polly and her work, and will be joined by Dr Gail Bradbrook, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion. The talk is being filmed by LUSH and will be available to watch via Findhorn and Hawkwood from next week.
Colourful funeral
The funeral is to be held in Stroud, Polly's hometown, and she will be buried in the beautiful Slad Valley where she lived. All are welcome.
WHERE: St Laurence's Church, Stroud GL5 1JL
WHEN: 10am Friday 3rd May 2019
WHAT: Polly's spirituality was eclectic, and the ceremony will reflect this. It shall be followed by a procession to the Slad village churchyard where Polly shall rest on a beautiful hillside overlooking her favourite local pub (the Woolpack), which funeral guests are welcome to adjourn to afterward. A lunch menu is available.
HOW: Special instructions from Polly are: NO BLACK to be worn, and organic whisky to be served (her favourite will be available at the pub). Our suggestion is also to wear comfortable shoes - it's an easy walk but a good half-hour to forty minutes from the church to the burial.
Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Polly also expressly requested a great party, and many of you will know that Polly & Jojo have a reputation for throwing great fancy dress parties. This summer's party was to be themed for Alice in Wonderland... and shortly before she died, Polly emphasised that it should absolutely go ahead as planned. So if you can't make the funeral, don't worry - you can rummage in your costume box and come and join the playing cards, chess pieces, caterpillars and dormice somewhere in the Cotswolds on Sunday 30th June!
Let's make this Tea Party a fitting tribute to Polly - and that means dressing up, laughter, music, dancing and a spirit of adventure... with oodles of shared food, love and a sprinkling of magic and miracles. More details nearer the time.
We shall have more to share on the campaign soon and the fantastic team carrying Polly's work forward. The baton passes to us now - and to all of you. Who knows, perhaps we can reach the magic "Million Earth Protectors" before the party...
We are all connected through our love of the Earth. Polly too.
Tiempos extraordinarios
Como es probable que ya hayas escuchado, nuestra querida e inspiradora Polly Higgins abandonó esta dimensión física en la tarde del domingo de Pascua, al final de una extraordinaria semana en la que el trabajo de su vida comenzó a surgir en la conciencia de miles de personas. Se fue pacíficamente, en compañía de su devoto esposo Ian y 2 de sus amigos cercanos, con una sonrisa pícara en su rostro.
Su tiempo fue extraordinario. Apenas una hora después de su fallecimiento, miles de personas en Londres la cantaban y la recordaban, poco antes de la aparición de Greta Thunberg en el escenario de la Extinción de la Rebelión. La noticia se ha difundido tan rápido que estamos teniendo problemas para mantenernos al día con la cobertura y las redes sociales ... lo cual es maravilloso y nada menos de lo que ella hubiera deseado. Parece que el mundo puede estar finalmente listo para escuchar lo que ella ha estado diciendo durante tanto tiempo.
Celebrando Polly
Esta foto muestra (de izquierda a derecha) a Jojo Mehta, el colega más cercano de Polly y cofundador de la campaña Protectores de la Tierra; Ian Lawrie QC, el amado esposo de Polly; y Katy Olivia van Tergow, diputada de confianza de Polly en los Países Bajos. ¡Todos podemos dar fe de que en realidad es imposible pensar en Polly durante un período de tiempo sin sonreír!
Polly tenía absolutamente claro que quería ser celebrada en lugar de llorar, y dejó una serie de solicitudes específicas para este efecto:
Honrando a Polly (por Findhorn CCC19)
Polly iba a ser un orador principal hoy 25 de abril en la conferencia de Findhorn Climate Change & Consciousness. Ella dijo (desde su cama del hospital hace 3 semanas) que tenía la intención de grabar la charla en el Hawkwood College en Stroud para transmitirla en Findhorn. En su ausencia, su colega Jojo Mehta hablará en Hawkwood para honrar a Polly y su trabajo, y se unirá el Dr. Gail Bradbrook, cofundador de Extinction Rebellion. La charla está siendo filmada por LUSH y estará disponible para verla a través de Findhorn y Hawkwood la próxima semana.
Funeral colorido
El funeral se llevará a cabo en Stroud, la ciudad de Polly, y será enterrada en el hermoso valle de Slad, donde vivía. Todos son bienvenidos.
DÓNDE: Iglesia de San Lorenzo, Stroud GL5 1JL
CUANDO: 10am viernes 3 de mayo de 2019
QUÉ: la espiritualidad de Polly era ecléctica, y la ceremonia lo reflejará. Le seguirá una procesión hasta el cementerio de la aldea de Slad, donde Polly descansará en una hermosa colina con vista a su pub local favorito (el Woolpack), al que los huéspedes del funeral pueden acudir después. Un menú de almuerzo está disponible.
CÓMO: Las instrucciones especiales de Polly son: NO NEGRO para ser usado, y whisky orgánico para servir (su favorito estará disponible en el pub). Nuestra sugerencia es también usar zapatos cómodos; es una caminata fácil, pero se puede tomar de media a cuarenta minutos desde la iglesia hasta el entierro.
Fiesta: Alicia en el país de las maravillas
Polly también solicitó expresamente una gran fiesta, y muchos de ustedes sabrán que Polly y Jojo tienen una reputación de lanzar grandes fiestas de disfraces. La fiesta de este verano iba a ser temática para Alicia en el país de las maravillas ... y poco antes de que muriera, Polly enfatizó que debería seguir adelante según lo planeado. Entonces, si no puede asistir al funeral, no se preocupe, ¡puede revolver en su caja de disfraces y unirse a las cartas, piezas de ajedrez, orugas y lirón en algún lugar de los Cotswolds el domingo 30 de junio!
Hagamos de este Tea Party un tributo adecuado a Polly, y eso significa disfrazarse, reírse, escuchar música, bailar y un espíritu de aventura ... con montones de comida compartida, amor y un puñado de magia y milagros. Más detalles más cerca del tiempo.
Pronto tendremos más para compartir sobre la campaña y el fantástico equipo que llevará adelante el trabajo de Polly. La batuta nos pasa a nosotros ahora, ya todos ustedes. Quién sabe, tal vez podamos alcanzar la mágica "millón de protectores de la tierra" antes de la fiesta ...
Mientras tanto, el amor más cálido y un profundo agradecimiento por todos los increíbles mensajes de apoyo que hemos recibido de todo el mundo.
Todos estamos conectados a través de nuestro amor por la Tierra. Polly también.
Campaign re-launched!
Ecocide law is just beginning to get the attention it deserves... (Desplácese hacia abajo para leer en español)
Campaign re-launched!
April has been a rollercoaster so far... from the challenge of Polly's health situation to the thrill of rebellion actions (still going on!) calling for ecocide law, the launch of a new website and the nearly doubling of our number of Earth Protectors in barely 3 weeks. Read on...
Thanks to our committed local campaign team, to growing interest from the youth climate and Extinction Rebellion movements and to a phenomenal 2-week sprint from our techies in the Netherlands, our messaging has at last crystallised into a very simple demand - Stop Ecocide: Change the Law - and can be found at the newly launched www.stopECOCIDE.earth.
Front and centre is the spreading community of Earth Protectors... check out all those green hearts! If you haven't put yourself on the map yet, you should find it easier than ever. And if you're already an Earth Protector but want to contribute further, we've got a nice easy DONATE button as well.
Our social media feeds - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram - have all been renamed Stop Ecocide: Change the Law, and all have the same username: @EcocideLaw.
There are still tweaks in the pipeline, but the essentials are now there, with super simple information on the campaign and on Polly, as well as videos you can share, download files for print runs of flyers and placards... and T-shirts and stickers coming soon too! At last we're making the campaign shareable in the real world as well as online - and just in time for...
...the Rebellion!
Apparently the spelling with an "S" was a reference to Shell (!)... the London Shell Centre action led to several arrests and took up a lot of column inches this week, amongst the many headlines that Extinction Rebellion has been collecting with its extraordinary numbers of peaceful protesters that have brought London to a standstill and baffled police. For starters, here's the Guardian, while the top image on this article has our placard centre stage!
XR NL rebels at the ICC
...and at Shell HQ
Extinction Rebellion Netherlands targeted both the International Criminal Courtand the headquarters of Shell this week with demands to add ecocide to the Rome Statute. It's so encouraging to see this taken up as a key demand - it's so clear that the alarm is being sounded worldwide, and now the world needs to know that there IS something that can be done - and we're working on it!
Slowly does it...
Many of you will want to know how Polly is, following her shocking diagnosis of last month. She is certainly very weak, having undergone more than one operation to drain excess fluid from her lung and been kept in hospital afterwards. She has now been transferred to a beautiful hospice, which is actually a great place for her to rest, and slowly regain strength... which she is actually doing, supported by an amazing nutritional programme and a range of alternative therapies.
Of course, with a situation as drastic as hers there can be no guarantees. But you should know that Polly does not fear the challenge she's facing. She is calm and positive, and completely clear that in some way she has called it to her. She is equally clear that she still has work to do, whether in this dimension or the next, and has complete faith that whether she stays or goes, it shall be for the best.
If you wish to send her messages of support we recommend you request to join the Facebook group Extrapollydocious, as she loves to read the posts there from time to time and deeply appreciates the amazing love and support she's been receiving from around the world.
It is Polly's absolute wish and resolve that her work should go forward with or without her, and we are fully committed to this. While she focuses her energy on her health, the legal side of the work continues with expert researcher and advisor Fidel Jamarillo Paz y Miño from Balthasar Garzon's office taking the lead on the test prosecution case file.
We'll sign off today with a link to Polly's most recent interview, conducted by Mat Hope of DeSmog Blog at the end of February and filmed by Rikki of RealMedia - absolutely on message with the Rebellion actions, as it now turns out! Polly has always had a knack for synchronicities...
#StopEcocide #EarthProtectors #ClimateCrime #ShellKnew
Our new logo... it's based on the rune for "protection", a tree, a person with arms raised, the earth and the well-known peace symbol. In other words it is a symbolic representation of "peacefully standing up as an Earth Protector"
Campaña relanzada
Abril ha sido una montaña rusa hasta el momento ... desde el desafío de la situación de salud de Polly hasta la emoción de las acciones de rebelión (¡aún en marcha!) que exigen la ley del ecocidio, el lanzamiento de un nuevo sitio web y la casi duplicación de nuestro número de Protectores de la Tierra en apenas 3 semanas. Sigue leyendo...
Gracias a nuestro comprometido equipo de campaña local, al creciente interés de los movimientos de clima juvenil y Extinción Rebelión y al fenomenal sprint de 2 semanas de nuestros técnicos en los Países Bajos, nuestro mensaje finalmente se ha cristalizado en una demanda muy simple: Stop Ecocidio: cambia la ley - y se puede encontrar en el recién lanzado www.stopECOCIDE.earth. (Aún no hemos tenido tiempo de ponerlo a disposición en español, así que por favor, aguántanos un tiempo en inglés hasta que podamos hacerlo.)
Por delante y en el centro está la comunidad de Protectores de la Tierra que se extiende ... ¡mira todos esos corazones verdes! Si aún no te has puesto en el mapa, te resultará más fácil que nunca. Y si ya eres un Protector de la Tierra pero quieres contribuir más, también tenemos un botón DONAR fácil y cómodo.
Nuestros feeds de redes sociales, Twitter, Facebook y Instagram, han sido renombrados como Stop Ecocide: Change the Law, y todos tienen el mismo nombre de usuario: @EcocideLaw.
Todavía hay ajustes pendientes, pero lo esencial ahora está ahí, con información súper simple sobre la campaña y sobre Polly, además de videos que puedes compartir, archivos que puedes descargar para imprimir volantes y carteles... y pronto habrá camisetas y pegatinas también! Por fin estamos haciendo que la campaña se pueda compartir en el mundo real, así como en línea, y justo a tiempo para...
...la Rebelion!
Aparentemente, la ortografía con una "S" era una referencia a Shell (!) ... la acción del London Shell Center condujo a varios arrestos y ha ocupado bastante espacio de columna en los periódicos esta semana, entre los muchos titulares que Extinction Rebellion ha estado acumulando con su extraordinario número de manifestantes pacíficos que han paralizado a Londres y han desconcertado a la policía. Para empezar, aquí está The Guardian, ¡mientras que la imagen superior de este artículo tiene nuestro cartel en el centro de la imagen!
rebelde de XR NL en el ICC
... y en la sede de Shell
Extinción Rebelión Holanda abordó tanto a la Corte Penal Internacional como la sede de Shell esta semana con demandas para agregar ecocidio al Estatuto de Roma. Es muy alentador ver que esto se toma como una demanda clave. Está tan claro que la alarma se está emitiendo en todo el mundo, y ahora el mundo necesita saber que HAY algo que se puede hacer, ¡y estamos trabajando en ello!
Lentamente va...
Muchos de ustedes querrán saber cómo es Polly, luego de su impactante diagnóstico del mes pasado. Ciertamente, ella está muy débil, después de haberse sometido a más de una operación para drenar el exceso de líquido de su pulmón y luego permanecer en el hospital. Ahora la han trasladado a un hermoso hospicio, que es realmente un bonito lugar para que descanse y recupere fuerza lentamente... lo que está haciendo, respaldada por un increíble programa nutricional y una gama de terapias alternativas.
Por supuesto, con una situación tan drástica como la suya no puede haber garantías. Pero debes saber que Polly no teme el desafío que enfrenta. Ella está tranquila y positiva, y tiene completamente claro que de alguna manera lo ha llamado ella misma. Tiene igualmente claro que aún tiene trabajo por hacer, ya sea en esta dimensión o en la siguiente, y tiene plena fe en que, ya sea que se quede o se vaya, será para mejor.
Si desea enviarle mensajes de apoyo, le recomendamos que se una al grupo de Facebook Extrapollydocious, ya que a ella le encanta leer las publicaciones de vez en cuando y aprecia profundamente el increíble amor y apoyo que ha estado recibiendo de todo el mundo.
Es un absoluto deseo y decisión de Polly que su trabajo continúe con o sin ella, y estamos totalmente comprometidos con esto. Si bien enfoca su energía en su salud, el aspecto legal del trabajo continúa con el investigador y asesor experto Fidel Jamarillo Paz y Miño de la oficina de Baltasar Garzon, que toma la iniciativa en el expediente del caso de la fiscalía de prueba.
Nos despediremos hoy con un enlace a la entrevista más reciente de Polly, realizada por Mat Hope de DeSmog Blog a finales de febrero y filmada por Rikki de RealMedia, ¡absolutamente en la misma línea con las acciones de Rebellion, como resulta ahora! Polly siempre ha tenido un don para las sincronicidades ...
#StopEcocide #EarthProtectors #ClimateCrime #ShellKnew
Stop Ecocide: Change the Law
PD: una palabra en nuestro nuevo logotipo ... se basa en la runa de "protección", un árbol, una persona con los brazos levantados, la tierra y el conocido símbolo de la paz. En otras palabras, es una representación simbólica de "levantarse pacíficamente como un Protector de la Tierra"