Reframing the human–wetlands relationship through a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands
C. M. Finlayson
A B K , G. T. Davies C D , D. E. Pritchard A E , N. C. Davidson A F , M. S. Fennessy G , M. Simpson A H and W. R. Moomaw I J
A Institute for Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.
B IHE Delft, Institute for Water Education, PO Box 3015, NL-2601 DA, Delft, Netherlands.
C BSC Group, Inc., 33 Waldo Street, Worcester, MA 01608, USA.
D Global Development and Environment Institute, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
E Environment, Culture, Heritage, Arts, 20 Burswell Avenue, Hexham, NE46 3JL, UK.
F Nick Davidson Environmental, Queens House, Ford Street, Wigmore, HR6 9UN, UK.
G Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 43202, USA.
H 35percent Ltd, Old Farmhouse, Hyde, Chalford, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL6 8NZ, UK.
I Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
J Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, MA 02540, USA.
K Corresponding author. Present address: School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia. Email: colin_maxwell.finlayson@unsw.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 73(10) 1278-1282 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF21045
Submitted: 8 February 2021 Accepted: 1 July 2021 Published: 21 September 2021
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2022 Open Access CC BY-NC
Abstract
The proposed Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands is consistent with the principles of the rights of Nature, and reframes the human–wetlands paradigm away from one of degradation and loss to one of ecological sustainability that supports the Web of Life and continued delivery of Nature’s contributions to people. Given the significance of the role of wetlands in reversing climate destabilisation and biodiversity degradation and loss, the paradigm shift engendered by a Declaration opens new possibilities to align wetlands, climate, and biodiversity policy, consistent with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2021) proposals, to guide effective governmental and non-governmental mechanisms. Widening the acceptance of the concepts presented in the Declaration is part of a process to reframe human–wetlands relationships, and is ongoing and iterative.
Keywords: legal personhood, rights of Nature, intergovernmental policy, human–wetlands relationship, wetlands, Ramsar.
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