Hidden Rights: What You Didn't Know You Could Claim

In the quiet corridors of courthouses worldwide, a remarkable movement, fueled by the voices of the young, has been echoing since 2015. Picture this: a group of children, some as young as 7, donning the armor of courage, stepping into courtrooms, and challenging their governments for turning a blind eye to the imminent threat of climate change.

One such tale unfolded in the winter of 2018, deep within the heart of Colombia. 25 young souls, including Indigenous youths, took on a mighty adversary—their government. Their charge? Failure to curtail deforestation in the Amazon and a stark shortfall in climate promises. These pint-sized warriors argued not for themselves alone but for the very essence of life on Earth, contending that destructive environmental policies jeopardized their present and future. Their weapon of choice? Human rights.

But what's the connection between human rights and the environment, you might wonder? Can we claim the right to breathe clean air, to share our world with majestic creatures like white rhinos, polar bears, and lemur leaf frogs? The answer lies in a document born in the aftermath of a world scarred by two devastating wars—the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948.

The UDHR, a beacon of hope forged by the United Nations, set forth the inherent freedoms of all people—freedom of thought, political liberties, and socioeconomic and cultural rights. While this foundational document did not explicitly mention nature, biodiversity, or climate, it planted the seeds that would later intertwine with environmental justice. Over the years, these liberties have woven into international treaties, constitutions, and laws, creating a fabric that countries pledge to uphold and protect.

Nature's rights, however, found their first footing at the national level. Influenced by Indigenous laws and worldviews, many countries, especially in the Global South, incorporated the right to a healthy environment into their constitutions and regional treaties. Advocates worldwide began urging the United Nations to recognize this right, arguing that the principles of the UDHR hinge on access to healthy ecosystems.

Every year, millions perish due to air and water pollution, pollinator populations dwindle, and coastal habitats disappear, leaving communities vulnerable to floods and hurricanes. The urgency to protect the right to a healthy environment has never been more palpable. Climate change intensifies heatwaves, prolongs droughts, and fuels devastating wildfires. Without swift action, mass extinction threatens a quarter of the world's biodiversity by 2100, triggering a domino effect on food supplies, livelihoods, and global health.

Yet, amid the looming crisis, a glimmer of hope emerges. Over 150 countries have embraced the right to a healthy environment in their national legislation. In a historic ruling on April 5th, 2018, the Colombian Supreme Court sided with the young plaintiffs, decreeing that the government must act to safeguard the rights of present and future generations. Similar triumphs echoed in the courtrooms of the Netherlands, Germany, and the US, as young activists inspired a global wave of over 2,000 human rights-based environmental cases by the summer of 2023.

The turning point came in 2022 when a majority of UN General Assembly states acknowledged the need to align human rights with a changing world. They recognized the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, reinforcing the global commitment to safeguarding our planet.

As we stand on the precipice of a critical juncture, these courtroom dramas serve as a clarion call for unprecedented global cooperation. The stories of young activists holding governments accountable pave the way for a future where clean air is a birthright, and the world resonates with the roars of white rhinos, the silent dance of polar bears, and the vibrant colors of coral reefs. The symphony of justice, conducted by the courage of youth, echoes across generations, offering a glimmer of hope that our planet's narrative can still be rewritten for years to come.