Human Rights Approach to Environmental issues

WWGS Human Rights Approach to Environmental Issues

What one word IMMEDIATELY comes to mind when you think about the word ENVIRONMENT?

Think of at least 1 stereotype associated with being 'green'

a Definition of ENVIRONMENT:

Miriam Webster

Human rights

People and planet are interlinked.

Environmental impact connects directly to people

The impact of people connect directly to the environment

Human rights

Environmental issues can impact:

Right to life, and to live in freedom and safety (article 3 UN Declaration of human Rights)

Right to health, housing, clean water and sanitation...

Connecting human rights with environmental issues: A disconnect between people and planet?

Why the disconnect?

The Denial of entanglement

Indigenous peoples: informed custodians of the land

Connecting human rights to environmental issues

Words not mentioned in The UN Sustainable Development Goals

Digging deeper

The environment is tied to inequalities

Joining the dots

Exploring how the world is interconnected

When we dig deeper, we can discover many ways to create and advocate for long lasting change

Welcome Sumaya! Climate activist Member of Student Climate Action network (SCAN)

Collective action: engaging with the system

Patrick Kirwan, Irish Schools Sustainability Network. (Teacher, Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore.

Exploring environmental themes: A Human Rights Approach

Who can slow and stop the flow of it?

When and why did we start using so much plastic?

Plastics

Questioning our actions - are we using a solidarity approach? (for example, although well-meaning, are we taking a recyclable item and turning it into a non-recyclable in order to raise awareness? (glueing plastic or mixing it with other materials means it’s destined for landfill)

How is plastic connected with other global justice issues?

Waste systems: landfills and health

Time for action

Time for reflection

Exploring environmental themes: A Human Right Approach

What is causing biodiveristy loss?

What impact does biodiverty loss have on people?

School GArden

How does biodiversity link with other global issues?

Why is biodiversity loss an issue?

Indigenous communities campaign for the rights of rivers

Commodofication of soil

Indigenous Communities: custodians of land

Regenerative agriculture

Time for reflection

Time for action

Exploring environmental themes: A human rights approach

what is causing water scarcity? Who can slow or stop this? How is this connected with other Global issues?

World Water Day

Questioning our actions - are we using a solidarity approach? (We can continue to focus on our own water consumption but we must also look at the root cause of some of these issues and see where we can aim our influence towards positions of power - for example boycotting products, creating collective action, raising awareness etc

How lack of access to water can lead to other insecurities and inequalities - loss of livelihood, food scarcity, displacement, increased conflict); Island Nations going under Water - Kiribati , Water collection keeping Girls and Women from school and opportunity.

Is it right that some people don’t have access to water for drinking, sanitation or growing food? Water as a Human Right

Water being denied to local communities as companies divert water for cash crops (Think of examples of this - Avocados, cotton, rice, palm oil, grain and soy for animal feed etc)

Thank you :)

Additional slides below (Not used in presentation)

the 4 denials

the denial of systemic violence and complicity in harm

the denial of the immensity of the problem

the denial of entanglement

the denial of the limits of the planet

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guiding principles of GCE

What systems and structures are causing this destruction?

Mass consumption

Post colonial legacies

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Power relations

neo liberalist policies

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