Prevention of ecocide through campaigning & legal actions primarily on an international level – using current positive law while arguing our case on the basis and ethics of the Rights of Nature to exist, live, thrive, flourish and evolve naturally.
We also work on promoting rights of Nature through environmental / permaculture education for living in tune, respect and harmony with Nature
PROJECTS
Mining
Working with our platform London Mining Network, long term legal partners Earth Law Center and communities on the ground in Serbia, on prevention of mining ecocide by Rio Tinto’s proposed Lithium project ‘Jadar’ in Serbia based on the principles of the Rights of Nature to exist, thrive and evolve naturally – which the mine, if built, would take away.
To that aim, we initiated, organised and submitted a Complaint to the Bern Convention Secretariat against the proposed lithium mine on the basis of the endangerment of the protected species in the vicinity of the proposed mine.
To this date, this is the first and only international legal initiative taken against that mine
More on this project: https://www.earth-thrive.org/da-zivotu-ne-rudniku-balkan/
Also working with our Yes to Life No to Mining YLNM international coalition & Earth Law Center on introduction, incorporation and adoption of the Rights of Nature in the narrative of affected communities’ struggles against ecocides caused by extractive industries, concentrating on the Balkans and on London Mining Network as our international membership platform
Please see our webinar co-organised with the YLNM & LMN featuring our founder and director Zoe Lujic, public law lawyer and Director of King’s College Legal Clinic Sue Willman and successful Rights of Nature Ecuadorian anti-mining activist Carlos Zorilla: Rights of Nature: An Effective Tool in Mining Resistance
Dams / ‘Small’ Hydro Power Plants in Serbia & the Balkans
We are pleased to announce that, as a part of the GARN Europe, Earth Thrive was one of the organisers and presenters at the civil society-led European Rights of Nature Tribunal: In Defense of Aquatic Ecosystems of Europe which culminated with the reading of the Judgements at an event held on the sidelines of the IUCN World Congress in Marseille, France, in September 2021, highlighting and confronting the severe challenges of ecocide and violations of the Rights of Nature over water ecosystems occurring across Europe
Earth Thrive was also the presenter of the case of dam ecocide over rivers in the Balkans, showcased through the example of the Serbian mountain Kopaonik – Josanica region rivers, with emphasis on the suffering and death of the aquatic fauna, fish in particular.
The Balkan Rivers Dams Ecocide case was heard online on Saturday, 29th April and you can watch the whole Hearing here: Balkan Rivers case – Fourth hearing of the European Tribunal in Defense of Aquatic Ecosystems
The full Judges’ Verdict can be read here:
European Tribunal in Defense of Aquatic Ecosystems: The Kopaonik Mountain Rivers Vs the State of Serbia – FINAL VERDICT
We intend to use the Tribunal Judge’s judgement for concrete legal action, ask for restorative justice and eventual remediation of the rivers
We are currently working with the European Forum for Restorative Justice and the local Kopaonik Josanica community on putting together a proposal for the Restorative Justice for the injured rivers and local Nature More details to follow…
Pesticides
Pesticides and Rights of Nature project is a comprehensive project aiming to show how pesticides and the consequences of their use are denying Nature her right to exist, live, thrive and evolve naturally without harm.
It consists of several independent but connected components, which together make for a holistic approach to this huge and worldwide spread problem
The issues covered:
Glyphosate, Neonicotinoids, Pesticide toxicity on wildlife, water, soil and insects, Insects right not to be poisoned by pesticides.
A ‘Train the Trainer’ course will also be organised to train the community leaders how to approach this vast toxic problem from the deeper level of rights of Nature to life.
The project is gaining worldwide interest and is supported by Vandana Shiva, the world famous environmentalist and anti-pesticide campaigner
The project is developed in cooperation with a group of rights of Nature lawyers in India, pesticide experts from the Pesticide Action Network – PAN Europe & North America with support from the Earth Law Center.
We also run Pesticide Action Network Serbia FB page for the education and awareness raising on the dangers of and natural alternatives to pesticides
Animal rights
Informing, raising awareness and helping with adoption and rescuing of stray animals in the region of former Yugoslavia via FB page Prava za zivotinje Balkana / Animal rights Balkan –https://www.facebook.com/AnimalRightsBalkan/
Future plans include legal actions and introduction and establishment of Animal Rights on the basis of the Rights of Nature through various campaigns