The Puerto Rican coalition for the inherent rights of naturea diverse network of people, communities and organizations committed to the recognition of nature as a subject of rights in the Puerto Rican archipelago, recently celebrated its first “scientific joint”, a five -day mobile residence dedicated to dialogue on science, ecological justice and protected natural areas.
During the joint – the last week – scientists from Ecuador and Puerto Rico They shared knowledge and experiences in intimate spaces and field trips to key places, such as La Parguera Natural Reserve and the Sierra Bermeja Protected Natural Area, both in slabs, and coastal areas of Cabo Rojo, where the essence megaproject is proposed.
“Nature is perfect, it can subsist without us. We must ask ourselves, in the face of the climatic crisis, why nature needs rights.”he said Blanca Ríos TouumaEcologist with more than 25 years of experience in Ecuador, via press statement.
Since 2008, Ecuador was the first country to constitutionally recognize the rights of nature, guaranteeing its integral respect and restoration. Today, more than 35 countries have incorporated similar concepts in their legal systems, marking a deep change in the relationship between humanity and territory.
“Neither judges nor lawyers understood at the beginning what it meant to treat nature as a subject of law. But, little by little, that framework was built. Today, the rights of nature are no longer just a legal concept: they are in the street!”he stressed, meanwhile, Elisa Levy Ortizbiologist with more than 18 years of experience in conservation and research.
The closure of the residence was held at the Alejandro Tapia and Rivera school, with a public conversation that reflected on the role of science in the defense of the rights of nature, and the need to intertwine ecological knowledge with political, legal and cultural sensitivity.
Ecuadorian participants shared learning of emblematic struggles, such as Los Cedros, Monjas Río and Río Machágara, where the articulation between science, community and legislation has been key to sentences in favor of nature. These exchanges were enriched with the participation of Omar Monzónspecialist in biodiversity and conservation of the organization For nature.
“The function of science is to transmit knowledge about how life works. The human being is part of nature; we cannot continue seeing ourselves as something separate. Therefore, it is the duty of science to help recognize our interdependence, both before citizens and before jurisprudence”Ríos Touma added.
From Puerto Rico, this first joint – a manager in collaboration with the Boerman Segarra Foundation and for nature – it is part of a broader process. The Puerto Rican coalition for the inherent rights of nature promotes the recognition that nature has its own and full existence: with the right to exist, flourish and regenerate free of damage, domination or exploitation, beyond human interests.
“Not everything is data. We also need art, beauty, affection and self -care. In times of mass extinction, imagining how we want to live is as crucial as resisting what threatens us”they said Alexandra Herll and Camila MarambioCocilitators of the Junte.