Where We Work
We partner with communities, organizations and governments around the world.
Building a Global Movement
The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights is working across the world to advance the rights of nature and democratic rights. We assist and partner with organizations, communities, and governments in Australia, Nepal, Canada, Ecuador, and other countries; with tribal members and indigenous communities; and with communities in Florida, Minnesota, and elsewhere across the United States.
A Selection of our Current Projects Worldwide
Ecuador
In 2008, we met with delegates to Ecuador’s Constituent Assembly which was drafting the country’s new constitution. The focus of the discussions was on the rights of nature – or Pacha Mama - and the need to do something different to protect the fragile, remarkable ecosystems of Ecuador. In September 2008, Ecuador became the first country in the world to enshrine the rights of nature in a national constitution.
Florida
Thomas Linzey, Senior Counsel for the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (CDER), has been working with communities across Florida for the past year. Beginning with a workshop he conducted for activists in the spring of 2019, this has led to a dozen communities advancing legislative proposals and initiatives to protect the legal rights of rivers and bays, the launch of the Florida Rights of Nature Network, and the first-ever statewide Florida Rights of Nature Conference.
Moon
In 2020, Thomas Gooch, Director of the Office of Other Spaces led a forum where it was considered whether the Moon could be recognized as possessing legal rights as a celestial entity with a dynamic environment and an existence of its own separate from human involvement. This resulted in Thomas joining Michelle Maloney and Mari Margil of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, space archeologist Dr. Alice Gorman and research/author Ceridwen Dovey to collaborate together on the drafting of the Declaration of the Rights of the Moon.
Switzerland
Five members of the Swiss Parliament presented formally an initiative to recognize the rights of nature, as well as the right to a healthy environment as a human right. This initiative would be entered into the Switzerland Federal Constitution ((Die Bundesverfassung). The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights collaborated alongside Swiss activist Doris Ragettli of the organization Rights of Mother Earth, and Swiss author and activist Linard Bardill and others with the World Ethic Forum, on this project over the course of a year.
Virginia
The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights is assisting our partner group, the Virginia Network for Democracy and Environmental Rights (VNDER), to advance the rights of nature and secure democratic home rule rights within Virginia counties, cities, and towns.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights is partnering with a grassroots group in the Town of Sheffield on a local rights of nature initiative.
Philippines
We have been working with the Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) on national legislation and local legislation to secure the rights of nature in law. PMPI is a coalition of faith-based and civil society organization seeking to protect people and nature. The national legislation was introduced into the Filipino Senate in 2019, where it is advancing.
Australia
With our partner organization — the Australian Earth Laws Alliance — we are helping advance the rights of nature in Australia. This includes working on legislation introduced by Member of Parliament Diane Evers in the Western Australia legislature in November 2019.
Sweden
CDER Executive Director Mari Margil presented at the Swedish Parliament – the Riksdag – in 2019. Hosted by Member of Parliament Rebecka Le Moine, the seminar focused on what the rights of nature could look like in Swedish law. Le Moine explained, “even when we follow all the rules, it’s not enough” to protect nature.
Nepal
The Himalayas are the fastest-warming mountain range on Earth. We are engaging with Members of Parliament and political leaders, as well mountaineers, trekkers, and other key stakeholders, as part of a growing effort in Nepal to address climate change.