Towards a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands
G. T. Davies
A B K , C. M. Finlayson C D , D. E. Pritchard C E , N. C. Davidson C F , R. C. Gardner C G , W. R. Moomaw B H I , E. Okuno G and J. C. Whitacre J
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A BSC Group, Inc., 33 Waldo Street, Worcester, MA 01608, USA.
B Global Development and Environment Institute, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
C Institute for Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.
D IHE Delft, Institute for Water Education, PO Box 3015, NL-2601 DA, Delft, Netherlands.
E Independent Consultant – Environment, Culture, Heritage, Arts, 20 Burswell Avenue, Hexham NE46 3JL, UK.
F Nick Davidson Environmental, Queens House, Ford Street, Wigmore, HR6 9UN, UK.
G Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, College of Law, Stetson University, Gulfport, FL 33707, USA.
H Center for International Environment and Resource Policy, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
I Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, MA 02540, USA.
J The Center for Governance and Sustainability, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA 02125, USA.
K Corresponding author. Email: gdavies@bscgroup.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 72(5) 593-600 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF20219
Submitted: 14 July 2020 Accepted: 15 September 2020 Published: 10 November 2020
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
The rights of Nature, a concept recognised by several courts, legislatures and international governance institutions, is being promoted by some non-governmental organisations, scientists, attorneys, Indigenous peoples, local communities, and others. In this article we propose a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands, consistent with the 1982 World Charter for Nature. Recognition of these rights supports the provision of ecosystem services essential to human well-being and to other life on Earth. Further, such rights could reinforce efforts to reduce wetland loss and deterioration, thereby slowing climate destabilisation and biodiversity declines. Because world scientists have warned that biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and climate destabilisation, which intensify wetland loss, constitute global emergencies, new approaches are required to ensure that wetlands are protected and their benefits to people sustained. The proposed Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands states that wetlands possess rights to: exist; their ecologically determined location in the landscape; natural, connected and sustainable hydrological regimes; ecologically sustainable climatic conditions; naturally occurring biodiversity; regeneration and restoration; integrity of structure, function and evolutionary processes; fulfil natural ecological roles in the Earth’s processes; and be free from pollution and degradation. Recognition of these rights is seen as an essential step in efforts to stop wetland loss and deterioration.
Keywords: Earth justice, Ramsar Convention, rights of Nature, traditional knowledge, wetlands.
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