The window is closing. Climate change has gone unchecked for decades, with only surface-level restrictions being implemented around the world. The importance of environmental rights has never been higher, as the UN Emissions Gap Report once again shows how far off track we are on meeting our targets.
An urgent system-wide transformation is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change. This transformation can only happen when individuals understand their rights to a clean environment.
The importance of environmental rights continues to rise as we fight to protect people from harm caused by environmental degradation, pollution, or exploitation of natural resources. These rights allow us to enjoy fresh air, safe water, and healthy soil — all essential components for life on Earth.
It is time to take a stand and fight for our environmental rights before it’s too late.
Environmental rights and human rights
For a long time, the focus was placed on visible human rights like freedom of speech, the right to vote or freedom from torture.
But now, because of climate change and environmental degradation, history says environment is a human right in itself.
The United Nations has acknowledged this by including environmental rights as part of its Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It recognises three specific dimensions of human well-being:
- Social
- Economic
- Environmental
This includes the protection of the environment, the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, adequate food, housing, and safe drinking water.
It also ensures that people have the freedom to participate in decision-making processes which affect their local environments.
Environmental justice is an important concept which links human rights with environmental protection. It recognises that certain populations may be more vulnerable than others when it comes to environmental hazards, and therefore have a greater right to protection.
For example, indigenous people in developing countries may be more exposed to hazardous pollutants or climate change due to a lack of resources or access to clean energy alternatives. Therefore, they need stronger protection from their governments so that they can enjoy the same rights as everyone else.
These environmental rights are made up of two categories – Substantive rights and Procedural rights.
Substantive Rights
Substantive environmental rights are those that protect citizens from harm caused by pollution, exploitation of natural resources and other activities which can have negative impacts on their environment.
This includes:
- the right to clean air and water,
- the right to be informed about environmental hazards,
- the right to compensation for any damages caused by environmental degradation, or
- the right to access information about what is being done in a local area.
These rights help ensure people are not adversely affected by any malicious activity taking place in their community.
Procedural Rights
Procedural environmental rights are those that guarantee citizens a say in decisions which affect their environment.
For example.
The right to participate in environmental impact assessments or public consultations on proposed projects.
This is especially important for vulnerable populations who may not have access to traditional methods of voicing their opinion such as voting.
These rights provide people with a platform to express their concerns and be part of decision-making processes which could benefit them and their community.
The Impact of Climate Change on Environmental Rights
Climate change increases the risks of flooding, drought, and other extreme weather events. So, it has a huge impact on the importance of environmental rights.
The changes can have devastating effects on people’s access to clean air and water, adequate food supply and safe housing.
Rising Sea Levels
The displacement of people because of rising sea levels has pushed some countries into a humanitarian crisis.
This study found more than 250 million people are living on land less than two metres above sea level. As oceans rise, causing flooding and negative conditions for these regions, the number of people requiring humanitarian aid could double by 2050.
This will disproportionately affect developing nations as they are less able to cope with the effects and are more adversely affected by single-event weather catastrophes.
Plummeting Biodiversity
Biodiversity is essential for providing food, clean air, and water, as well as reducing soil erosion, and supporting recreational activities. But its decline in the 21st century is a cause of great concern.
Human activity has caused a rapid decline in species populations due to excessive hunting, pollution, and the destruction of habitats. There are more than 20% of reptile species, classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The number is above 40% for amphibians.
Our mental health and physical well-being are more intimately connected to the natural world than we realise, so we must protect biodiversity to maintain our environmental rights.
Food Insecurity
The right to adequate food is also threatened by climate change. The Meteorological Office lists several factors that will compound the effects of climate change on food production. These include:
- Temperature: Higher temperatures can affect crop yields, with some crops becoming more vulnerable to pest and disease outbreaks.
- Precipitation: Changing patterns of precipitation will directly affect the amount and quality of water available for agricultural production
- Extreme weather events: Drought, floods or storms can have a major impact on food supply as they damage crops, disrupt harvest processes, and reduce nutrients in soils.
- Glacial melt: Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, leading to increased water variability. This can create floods or water scarcity, both of which have major impacts on food production.
These are just a few examples of the threats that climate change poses to environmental rights, and how it is impacting our access to essential resources. We must act now to protect these rights for future generations and ensure that everyone has access to a healthy environment.
Issues and Challenges
There is no single agreement that can get us back on track fast. Environmental rights are complex, with many different aspects and many different challenges.
Lack of Awareness
The importance of environmental rights is not widely known or understood. Resources are limited, and many people are unaware of the extent of their rights or how to access them.
Without proper education, people may not recognise the importance of their rights, nor know how to exercise them to protect their environment.
Lack of Agreement on Rights
In some cases, countries may not even agree on what rights should be respected. It is difficult to come up with a universal agreement when different countries have different views on the environment, and it can take years of negotiations before any real progress is made.
The Paris Agreement listed a goal to limit global warming to less than 2°C, but by 2022, this was still an optimistic target with initial pledges putting us on track for 2.4-2.6°C by the end of the century.
Lack of Rights Enforcement
Even when environmental rights are known, they can be difficult to enforce. Governments often lack the resources or legal powers to protect their citizens from environmental violations.
In some cases, powerful corporations may take advantage of a lack of enforcement and continue polluting without consequence. Without better laws and stronger enforcement mechanisms in place, ensuing our right to a healthy environment is protected will be impossible.
Landmark Legislation is no Guarantee.
The UK’s Environment Act, for instance, was a landmark piece of legislation which set out to codify the right of all citizens to a healthy environment. This was followed by the introduction of various policies and regulations which aim to protect people from environmental hazards.
But these policies can be changed as political bodies move in and out of power, which means that the protection offered by them is not always guaranteed.
The Role of Government and Civil Society
Tackling the challenges requires a counterbalanced approach. Governments must take the lead in protecting their citizens from environmental issues.
Meanwhile civil society must come together and ensure the importance of environmental rights is respected and enforced.
Legislation is essential.
Government must pass laws which protect people from environmental harm. This could include anything from the creation of clean air zones to the introduction of taxes on polluting industries. More than 100 countries now have environmental legislation in place, but there is still much work to be done.
Representation is needed.
Civil bodies, on the other hand, need to make sure that governments are held accountable and that their environmental policies are enforced. They can do this by monitoring the activities of companies, lobbying for better legislation, or even taking legal action against those who violate environmental rights.
Most importantly, they must support candidates committed to protecting the environment and hold them to their promises. Without proper representation, there is no guarantee that environmental rights will be respected.
Final thoughts
The fate of our planet and the rights of every living being on it rests on our shoulders.
The time to act is now, not tomorrow, not next week, but today.
Governments, organisations, and individuals must come together to protect and promote environmental rights, to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all.
The fight for the importance of environmental rights is a fight we must win. Not just for us, but for generations to come.
Let us be the ones to rise to the challenge, and make sure that the rights to a clean and healthy environment are never compromised again.
FAQs
What are environmental rights?
Environmental rights refer to the rights of individuals and communities to a healthy and sustainable environment. This includes the right to clean air, water, and a healthy ecosystem.
How are environmental rights connected to human rights?
Environmental rights and human rights are closely interconnected, as the health and well-being of individuals and communities depend on access to a healthy environment.
What are some environmental issues that threaten environmental rights?
Some of the environmental issues that threaten environmental rights include rising sea levels, declining biodiversity, and food insecurity. These issues not only affect the natural world but also have a significant impact on human communities.
What is the role of government in protecting environmental rights?
Governments have a crucial role to play in protecting and promoting environmental rights through legislation and policy-making. They are responsible for ensuring that laws and policies are in place to protect the environment and the rights of individuals and communities to access a healthy environment.
What is the role of civil society in protecting environmental rights?
Civil society – including NGOs and community-based organisations – raise awareness about environmental issues, and pressure governments to take action to protect the environment and the rights of individuals and communities.
