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    Rights of nature & Rights of future generations (Sixth Assembly)

    TXT

    The Rights of Nature
    and the

    Rights of Future Generations
    Sixth Assembly, Uniting Church in Australia


    The Assembly resolved:

    91.14.18

    We believe that God, the Creator, upholds huma[...]of God. Each has its dignity and
    thereby also its right to existence.

    The Holy Scriptures attest to God'[...]u and with
    every living creature" (Genesis 9:9-10).

    In view of the fact that this promise is today b[...]for the
    recognition and guarantee of human rights throughout the world,

    we express the convi[...]day share responsibility
    for the ability of future generations to live in dignity,

    we support the attribution of rights not only to humans but also to
    nature, God's creation, and we reject the view that animate and
    inanimate nature are mere objects which stand at the arbitrary dis[...]es at all levels to recognition of
    the following "Rights of Future Generations" and "Rights of Nature".



    Sixth Ass[...]
    A. Rights of Future Generations

    1. Future generations have a right to life.

    2. Future generations have a right to an unmanipulated human genetic
    inheritance, th[...]inheritance not artificially altered by humans.

    3. Future generations have a right to a rich plant and animal world, and
    thereby a right to a life within an abundant nature and to the preservation of
    multifarious genetic resources.

    4. Future generations have a right to healthy air, to an intact ozone layer,
    and to[...]t thermal exchange between the earth and space.

    5. Future generations have a right to clean and sufficient waters, and, in
    particular, healthy and sufficient drinking water.

    6. Future generations have a right to healthy and fertile soil and to healthy
    woodland.

    7. Future generations have right to substantial reserves of non-(or only very
    slowly) renewable raw materials and energy sources.

    8. Future generations have the right not to be confronted with products and
    wastes of[...]e excessive
    expense for protection and control.

    9. Future generations have a right to "cultural inheritance", that is, to an
    encounter with the culture created by earlier generations.

    10. Future generations have in general a right to physical living conditions that
    allow them a humanly dignified existence. In particular, they have a right not
    to be forced to accept physical alterations d[...]al, economic, political, or social respects.


    B. Rights of Nature

    1. Nature - animate or inanimate - has a right to existence, that is, to
    preservation and development.

    2. Nature has a right to the protection of its eco-systems, species, and
    populations in their inter-connectedness.

    3. Animate nature has a right to the preservation and development of its
    genetic inheritance.

    4. Organisms have a right to a life fit for their species, including[...]
    5. Disturbances of nature require a justification. They are only permissibl[...]ically legitimate process and with respect of the rights of nature;
    when the interests of the disturbance outweigh the interests of a complete
    protection of the rights of nature; and when the disturbance is not inordinate.
    Damaged nature is to be restored whenever and wherever possible.

    6. Rare ecosystems, and above all those with an abun[...]p a new Declaration which explicitly
    protects the rights mentioned above. Simultaneously, we appeal to the
    individual nations to incorporate these rights into their constitutions and
    legislation.[...]

    MD

    Rights of nature & Rights of future generations (Sixth Assembly)
    Approved Assembly