News: WGCU: "Rights of Nature" Proposed for Florida Constitution-6/7/2021

Valerie Vande Panne wrote an article for WGCU, a PBS syndicate, titled “"Rights of Nature" Proposed for Florida Constitution” published on June 3rd, 2021. In this news pieces, she asks:

Will nature--and Florida's waterways--have legally enforceable rights?

This is a fundamental question being presented not only in the historical moment we live in but also in the rights of nature movement at large. And if they do, what can be done going forward? Florida environmental leaders have risen to the occasion by gleaning signatures for a state constitutional amendment. This amendment has been filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Florida and is being used to enforce an ordinance that was resoundingly based with vast public support during the 2020 election.

The amendment will recognize as legally enforceable the rights of all waterways across Florida to “exist, flow, be free from pollution, and maintain a healthy ecosystem.” It also provides that any Floridian or Florida organization is allowed to file a legal action on behalf of those waterways. More information can be found at www.fl5.org, and the full article can be seen here.