Antarctic Rights

Is it time for a new framework for Antarctica? Spoiler alert: yes! As we confront significant environmental challenges, the call for a reimagined governance structure for Antarctica is more pressing than ever. In a recent interview with Polar Journal AG, two of our working group members, Cormac Cullinan and Alan Hemmings, discuss the need for a framework that prioritizes the rights of Antarctica itself. We believe that the Antarctic Treaty System has played a crucial role in protecting this unique region, but it is increasingly inadequate in addressing contemporary threats. Now more than ever there is a need for a governance model that transcends geopolitical interests. Recognizing Antarctica's rights is essential for fostering a deeper respect for its ecological integrity. As we advocate for a future where Antarctica is governed with its intrinsic value in mind, it's crucial to engage in discussions about how best to represent its interests. This dialogue is vital for ensuring that the voices of all life forms in Antarctica are heard and respected. Join the Antarctica Alliance for a new framework that honors and gives a voice to Antarctica. Thank you, Polar Journal and Camille Lin for shedding light on our initiative. Full article here: https://lnkd.in/ezXsDXBy #antarcticrights #antarctica #antarcticaalliance #southernocean #polarjournal

We're grateful to Clark Marchese for inviting Cormac Cullinan to share the Antarctic Rights vision on the South Pole podcast episode "What if Antarctica had legal personhood?" This conversation is crucial as we work towards a groundbreaking initiative to grant Antarctica legal rights as a distinct entity within international law. Part of the Antarctic Rights initiative is to get people to see Antarctica, and by extension nature, differently. We're advocating for Antarctica to be recognized not just as a place, but as a being and a community of beings that should have a voice in human decision-making that affects it. Our position is that decisions about Antarctica should be made based on what's in Antarctica's best interest, which, we believe, ultimately aligns with humanity's best interests as well. Key points from our discussion include: • Legal Personhood: We explore how granting Antarctica legal rights could allow it to be represented in global policy discussions. • Earth Jurisprudence: The philosophical framework underpinning this initiative, emphasizing a rights-based approach to environmental protection. • Current Limitations: We examine the shortcomings of the existing Antarctic Treaty and why stronger protections are necessary. • Implementation Challenges: The complexities of determining and acting in Antarctica's best interests are addressed. As climate change threatens this crucial ecosystem, recognizing Antarctica's rights could transform our approach to environmental governance. We invite you to listen to this discussion and join Antarctic Rights in advocating for a future where Antarctica's voice is heard and respected. Tune in now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/egEqrM6E or Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eqp2UQ-A #AntarcticRights #AntarcticaAlliance #LegalPersonhood #Antarctica #SouthPolePodcast Wild Law Institute Environment Now Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)

Are you attending COP16 in Riyadh? Then we invite you to an inspiring session at the IUCN Pavilion (Blue Zone): From Snow Dunes to Sand Seas: Exploring Earth's Extreme Deserts 🗓️ Date: Monday, December 9th, 2024 ⏰ Time: 11:00 - 12:30 KSA 📍 Location: Building B, IUCN Pavilion, Blue Zone 🔴 Livestream Available Join us as we journey through the unique ecosystems of Antarctica and Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter. This session organized by IUCN, features Abeer S. Al-Saud and our global campaign lead Roberta Bosu who will share insights on the Rights of Nature for Antarctica and the importance of Antarctica for the world. Discover how lessons from one extreme desert can illuminate solutions for another, fostering resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Don’t miss this chance! #COP16 #Antarctica #AntarcticRights #AntarcticaAlliance #rightsofnature Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)

When advocating for #AntarcticRights, we often face an interesting challenge: How do we make this concept resonate with diverse audiences who have varying levels of understanding about Rights of Nature and different emotional connections to Antarctica? 🤷♀️ Some see it as a distant ice mass, others as a crucial climate regulator, and still others as a complex legal territory. Recently, during our Antarctic Rights session with the Homeward Bound Projects group, one of our engaged participants created this remarkable sketch that perfectly encapsulates the essence of our discussion. That's why these sketch notes are absolutely brilliant - they bridge these perspectives by: 🔹 Starting with the "WHO" - making Antarctica relatable as an autonomous entity 🔹 Breaking down the "WHY" into tangible impacts on our survival 🔹 Mapping the "HOW" through clear, actionable objectives What's truly remarkable is how Wendi Pillars, the artist, managed to capture both the technical aspects (governance systems, declarations) and the emotional urgency (vital for survival, climate stability) in one coherent narrative. This is exactly the kind of translation we need - turning complex legal and environmental concepts into accessible, engaging stories. Whether you're a policy maker, climate scientist, or simply someone concerned about our planet's future, these visual notes speak your language. This is exactly the kind of communication breakthrough we need - transforming complex legal frameworks and environmental concepts into clear, relatable narratives that show why Antarctic Rights matter to everyone, regardless of where they live on our planet. Thanks a lot Wendi Pillars! #AntarcticRights #RightsOfNature #ClimateAction #AntarcticaAlliance #Antarctic #Southernocean #AntarcticaDeclaration. Which aspects of Antarctic Rights resonate most with you? 🤔❄️

A fascinating new study titled "Outlining three arguments for Rights of Antarctica" by Patrik Baard and Alejandra Mancilla explores the concept of giving legal rights to Antarctica as a whole. Key findings include: • The authors examine three potential arguments for Rights of Antarctica (RoA), including extending the Rights of Nature (RoN) to #Antarctica and giving rights to specific Antarctic ecoregions. • They propose a new argument for RoA based on four components: 1️⃣ Antarctica's intrinsic value 2️⃣ Wider forms of human attachments to Antarctica 3️⃣ Antarctica's role as a global systemic resource 4️⃣ The fact that Antarctica faces recurrent and substantial threats • The study highlights important differences between RoA and existing RoN concepts, such as scale and lack of permanent human inhabitants. This research has important implications for how we view and protect Antarctica in international law. As advocates for #AntarcticRights, we believe this study opens up crucial discussions on what RoA would require and how it relates to broader Rights of Nature discourses. What are your thoughts on giving legal rights to Antarctica? How might this influence future policies and practices in polar regions and beyond? Full article here: https://lnkd.in/eH9D9GpS Photo credits: SeaLegacy | Paul Nicklen #AntarcticRights #RightsofNature #AntarcticaAlliance #AntarcticaDeclaration

Whether it's a river, lake, forest, or a small stream seemingly without much purpose. Whether it's a friendly seal, a magnificent feline, or an insect with slender and perhaps even hairy legs. Whether near or far, it's a "piece" of nature, an element of the whole just like us, and it has its rights. In a world that struggles to recognize human rights, gender rights, and those of many minorities, it's an act of stubborn courage to fight for the #rightsofnature. One risks being seen as anachronistic, as someone who puts a tree or an elephant before a human being, but that's not the case. The fight for rights is the same struggle, or at least it should become so. If we want to win it and start understanding how to live without trampling on others, others that - whether we like it or not - we "need". The #climatecrisis shows us this every day: the ruin of "pieces" of nature and society that we thought were distant and disconnected from our world also causes our own ruin. Perhaps because the world isn't ours, but belongs to everyone. Including #Antarctica. Thanks to the brilliant journalist Marta Abbà for shedding light on Antarctic Rights in this report for the italian magazine Vegolosi. Alessandro Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) #antarcticaalliance #antarcticrights #antarctica #southernocean #rightsofnature

Despite Cali's notorious traffic throwing us a curveball, our side event at #COP16 was a resounding success! 🐧🌎 We were thrilled to have the incredible Carola Rackete share her inspiring journey and the genesis of Antarctic Rights. Her passion for giving voice to this crucial ecosystem was and is truly captivating. Key highlights: • We discussed the urgent need for legal protection of Antarctica • We introduced the Antarctic Rights Campaign and a new approach to ecosystem conservation • The potential global impact of recognizing Antarctica's rights Missed the event? Don't worry! We'll be sharing a recording soon, so stay tuned. 📹 A huge thank you to our speakers, attendees, and the #COP16 organizers for making this possible. We are finally amplifying Antarctica's voice in the climate conversation. #AntarcticRights #ClimateAction #COP16 #AntarcticaDeclaration #Antarctica

Join us tomorrow in the Green Zone of #cop16 for an engaging discussion on "What if Antarctica had the right to speak for itself?" 🗓 Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM 📍 Venue: sala 2 / BANCO DE OCCIDENTE, Cra. 4 #7 - 61, San Pedro, Cali (green zone, COP16) Our amazing speakers, Carola Rackete , Aurélie Spadone, Roberta Bosu and Ntokozo Moloi , will share their insights and perspectives. Don't miss out on the chance to ask your questions during the Q&A session! 👉 Please sign up as there are limited seats! See you tomorrow! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e353AAfM #Antarctica #COP16 #ClimateChange #Sustainability #AntarcticaAlliance #AntarcticaDeclaration #AntarcticRights 📷 SeaLegacy | Cristina Mittermeier

As we gather in Colombia for #COP16, the urgency of giving Antarctica a voice in climate discussions has never been clearer. The recent closure of the 43rd annual meeting of CCAMLR highlighted a critical setback: the failure to establish a representative system of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Southern Ocean and a regression in krill fisheries management. Antarctica’s fate is not just an environmental concern; it directly impacts global ecosystems and climate stability. We must advocate for its rights and ensure that this vital region is represented in international dialogues. A heartfelt thank you to Katie Surma and Inside Climate News for shedding light on the Antarctic Rights campaign. "The main problem is that we, humans, designed a system that views the region as full of resources that are up for grabs. That thinking is a story we’ve told ourselves, and the time has come to start questioning it.” Read more about Antarctic Rights in the full article: https://lnkd.in/ekJTqDj8 #AntarcticRights #ClimateAction #COP16 #MarineProtectedAreas #Antarctica #AntarcticaDeclaration #AntarcticaAlliance Carola, Yelena, Cormac

Incredible event at the IUCN pavilion last Thursday, focusing on a voice that's been missing from the biodiversity discussions at #cop16 in Cali- Antarctica! 🐧❄️ A huge thank you to Madhu Rao , Natalia Greene , Osprey Orielle Lake , Roberta Bosu , the amazing speakers who shed light on this vital piece of our planet's ecological puzzle. A special thanks to our wonderful moderator Rafaela Iturralde for guiding us through this crucial conversation. And a heartfelt appreciation to Casey Camp-Horinek, whose indigenous wisdom profoundly enriched our discussion, offering unique perspectives on our relationship with nature. The time has come to recognize Antarctica as an autonomous right bearing entity under international law. Our current approach is failing this unique continent and its inhabitants. The recent CCAMLR meeting has made it painfully clear: our current system is not working and we need a radical change. Missed the event? Click here: https://lnkd.in/eF9wBVmm #antarcticalliance #antarcticrights #antarctica #antarcticadeclaration #unbiodiversity Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)