The Mountain Valley Pipeline, now operational, was recently condemned at a "rights of nature" tribunal for infringing on environmental and Indigenous rights.
Hannah Chanatry reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Judges at a North Carolina tribunal deemed the pipeline a violation of nature and Indigenous rights.
- Activists cited environmental harm and lack of consent from local communities.
- The tribunal's findings may be presented to the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature in New York City this September.
Key quote:
"We are replacing the state because the state is not complying with the rights of nature."
— Natalia Green, global director of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature
Why this matters:
The condemnation from the tribunal is a part of a broader movement advocating for the legal recognition of nature's rights. This concept asserts that natural entities, such as rivers, forests, and mountains, should have the right to exist, thrive, and regenerate their vital cycles. Proponents argue that such recognition is crucial for the long-term health of the planet and the communities that depend on these natural resources.
