Biodiversity conservation: local and global consequences of the application of “rights of nature” by Ecuador

Authors

• Juan M. Guayasamin, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA,Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto Biósfera, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
• Roo Vandegrift, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
• Tobias Policha, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
• Andrea C. Encalada, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA,Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto Biósfera, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
• Natalia Greene, Coordinadora Ecuatoriana de Organizaciones Para La Defensa de La Naturaleza Y Cedenma and Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, Ecuador
• Blanca Ríos-Touma, Grupo de Investigación En Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente Y Salud (Biomas), Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador
• Lorena Endara, Department of Biological Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
• Rafael E. Cárdenas, Museo de Zoología QCAZ, Laboratorio de Entomología, Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica Del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
• Fred Larreátegui, Larreategui & Larreategui Abogados, Quito, Ecuador
• Luis Baquero, Grupo de Investigación En Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente Y Salud (Biomas), Universidad de Las Américas, Ecuador
• Inty Arcos, Mancomunidad Del Chocó Andino, Consorcio Para El Desarrollo Sostenible de La Ecoregión Andina (CONDESAN), Fundación Imaymana, Ecuador
• José Cueva, Estación Científica Los Cedros, Cotacachi, Ecuador
• Mika Peck, Ecology, Behaviour and Environment, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
• Felipe Alfonso-Cortes, Fundación Naturaleza Y Arte, Proyecto Washu, Quito, Ecuador
• Daniel Thomas, Eichendorffring 86, Bayreuth, Germany
• José DeCoux, Estación Científica Los Cedros, Cotacachi, Ecuador
• Elisa Levy, Estación Científica Los Cedros, Cotacachi, Ecuador
• Bitty A. Roy, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA

Abstract

In 2008, Ecuador recognized the Constitutional Rights of Nature in a global first. This recognition implies a major shift in the human-nature relationship, from one between a subject with agency (humans) and an exploitable object (nature), to a more equilibrated relationship. However, the lack of a standard legal framework has left room for subjective interpretations and variable implementation. The recent widespread concessioning of pristine ecosystems to mining industries has set up an unprecedented conflict and test of these rights. Currently, a landmark case involving Los Cedros Protected Forest and mining companies has reached the Constitutional Court of Ecuador. If Ecuador’s highest Court rules in favor of Los Cedros and the Rights of Nature, it would set a legal precedent with enormous impact on biological conservation. Such a policy shift offers a novel conservation strategy, through citizen oversight and action. A ruling against Los Cedros and the Rights of Nature, while a major setback for biodiversity conservation, would be taken in stride by the active social movement supporting these goals, with the case likely moving into international courts. Meanwhile, extractive activities would continue and expand, with known consequences for biodiversity.

DOI

10.1080/23766808.2021.2006550

Recommended Citation

Guayasamin, Juan M.; Vandegrift, Roo; Policha, Tobias; Encalada, Andrea C.; Greene, Natalia; Ríos-Touma, Blanca; Endara, Lorena; Cárdenas, Rafael E.; Larreátegui, Fred; Baquero, Luis; Arcos, Inty; Cueva, José; Peck, Mika; Alfonso-Cortes, Felipe; Thomas, Daniel; DeCoux, José; Levy, Elisa; and Roy, Bitty A. (2021) "Biodiversity conservation: local and global consequences of the application of “rights of nature” by Ecuador," Neotropical Biodiversity: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 60.
DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2021.2006550
Available at: https://ikiam.researchcommons.org/neotropical-diversity/vol7/iss1/60