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globalbriefs


News and resources to inspire concerned citizens to work together in building a healthier, stronger society that benefits all.


Hear Ye! Dutch Court Upholds Climate Action as a Human Right


Perhaps establishing a new global prec- edent for a state’s obligation to its citizens in the face of a growing climate crisis, a Dutch court has ruled that the government has a legal duty to reduce carbon emis- sions by 25 percent by 2020. The deci- sion came in response to a 2013 lawsuit launched by the Amsterdam-based envi- ronmental nonprofit Urgenda Foundation and 600 Dutch citizens that argued the government was violating international human rights law by failing to take suf- ficient measures to combat rising green- house gas emissions.


A statement from the court reads, “The state must do more to


avert the imminent danger caused by climate change, also in view of its duty to provide care to protect and improve the living environ- ment.”


In the United States, the youth-led movement Our Children’s Trust


(OurChildrens Trust.org) is suing state governments and what they dub “the ruling generation” as accountable for climate inaction. As 350.org co-found- er and Communications Director Jamie Henn noted after the ruling, “If the Netherlands sets a precedent, it’s a whole new ball game.” Other countries are weighing the situation, as well.


Source: BBC


Sentient Beings New Zealand Enacts Bill Recognizing Animal Intelligence


The New Zealand Animal Welfare Amendment Bill that passed into law this year states that ani- mals, like humans, are sentient beings. Dr. Virginia Williams, chair of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee, says this acknowl-


edges, “Animals can experience both positive and negative emotions, including pain and distress.” The bill thus bans the use of animals for testing cosmetics.


Williams says the legal recognition of animal


sentience provides a stronger underpinning of the requirements of the existing Animal Welfare Act. The bill also provides for penalties to enable low-to-me- dium-level offenders to be punished more effectively and gives animal welfare inspectors the power to issue compliance notices, among other measures.


Find a link to the legislation at Tinyurl.com/NewZea- landSentienceBill.


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natural awakenings Westchester/Putnam/Dutchess NY Edition


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