Ireland Plans to Grant Constitutional Rights to Nature on Par with Humans

Ireland could become the first country in the European Union to amend its national constitution to enshrine rights for nature, according to the BBC.

The Environmental and Climate Action Committee recommends that the Irish government hold a referendum to protect biodiversity. This move would allow nature to be granted rights similar to those of humans.

In recent years, Ireland has seen a growing popularity of the "Rights of Nature" movement. The aim of the movement is to recognize elements of nature, such as trees, mountains, and rivers, as entities with the right to existence, flourishing, restoration, regeneration, and respect.

For instance, New Zealand has granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River.

The proposed referendum in Ireland could pave the way for granting nature rights akin to human rights, aligning with the increasing support for this idea. The "Rights of Nature" movement has gained significant traction, emphasizing the recognition of nature's fundamental rights by individuals and organizations. It draws inspiration from the experience of New Zealand and other South American countries, such as Ecuador, which took similar steps in 2008.

While the practical implications of such a constitutional change remain unclear, proponents argue that it would make it more challenging for companies to exploit nature for profit and hinder urban expansion.

In response, the Irish Farmers' Association has opposed these changes, stating that they would "significantly burden already overloaded legal and planning systems and violate farmers' property rights."

Previously, The Gaze reported that in Romania, local biologists and philanthropists decided to create a "European counterpart to Yellowstone," the largest private wildlife reserve on the continent. The project aims to preserve 100,000 hectares of untouched nature and promote ecotourism to support the local population.

Situated in the Fagaras Mountains in the Transylvania region, part of the southeastern Carpathian Mountains, this reserve is considered one of the last wild corners where various wild animals, such as brown bears, wolves, lynxes, and others, can be found. Thanks to the work of the Foundation Conservation Carpathia (FCC), bison have recently returned to the area after an absence of nearly 200 years.