Aruba is taking a pioneering step towards restoring the relationship between people and Nature by initiating the legislative process to add the Rights of Nature into Aruba’s Constitution.
To celebrate the occasion, various local and international stakeholders came together at the Aruba Earth Day Forum 2023 to discuss the importance of the Rights of Nature. Some of the experts in attendance included Natalia Greene from the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, as well as Michelle Bender from Earth Law Center, Callie Veelenturf from The Leatherback Project, and the Directorate of Nature and the Environment.
The Rights of Nature recognizes that Nature has its own inherent value and should be treated as a subject of rights, rather than just a resource to be exploited. The Rights of Nature represents a paradigm shift in how we view the natural world. By restoring the balance between people and Nature, we can minimize the exploitation of Nature and create a sustainable future for all.
“I want to thank all those who have worked tirelessly to protect our environment,” said Mr. Ursell Arends, Minister of Nature in Aruba. “Together, we can restore the balance between people and Nature, and taking care of what belongs to us. We are not giving any rights to Nature. Nature has rights. This is a first step toward acknowledging that.”
The draft law to introduce Rights of Nature Aruba’s constitution was submitted to the Legislative Department on the eve of Earth Day. Aruba’s pioneering efforts to introduce Rights of Nature will serve as an example for other countries to follow. By recognizing the inherent rights of nature, we can create a more just and sustainable world.
If the Constitutional amendment is introduced, Aruba will be set to become the second country in the world to recognize the Rights of Nature in its Constitution.
