October e-news

Locals living in Daylesford and Castlemaine, along with many other communities around Australia, are sewing and distributing boomerang bags. Join others seeking a plastic bag free world by sewing boomerang bags after Castlemaine’s Repair Cafe, from 1.pm to 4.pm, on Sunday October 29th, at Ray Bradfield Rm in Castlemaine.

For those living in the Daylesford area, email Michelle: info@bedesigns.com.au

Australian Earth Laws Alliance in Castlemaine- Michelle Maloney

Localising Leanganook was delighted to welcome Dr Michelle Maloney to Castlemaine in August. Co-founder and National Convener of the Australian Earth Law Alliance (ALEA),  Michelle commenced her presentation by describing current challenges in the global context,  reminding us that humans are pushing the limits of numerous planetary boundaries, that designate a safe operating space for humanity within the living earth system. These boundaries include biodiversity integrity and global freshwater. Four out of nine boundaries have been crossed.  She drew on the example of climate change thresholds being breached, where in the summer of 2013 extraordinary heat levels required a new colour to be added to BOM maps.  She also reminded us that by 2030 we would need 4.8 planets to support the global population if everyone consumed at the rate of Australians.

How did we get into this situation?  She said the perfect storm started with the industrial revolution, with great acceleration taking off in the 1950’s driven by exploitation of ‘cheap’ fossil fuels.

The crisis we face is inspiring the emergence of new ideas to achieve harmony with nature, in science, art, politics and law and governance.  The emergence of Earth Jurisprudence is one bloom, now flowering on the tree of humanity at this time of crisis.  Jurisprudence is a theory of law.

The ‘father’ of the earth jurisprudence movement was Thomas Berry, who inspired thousands of people to find new relationships with earth, drawing on the deep wisdom on Indigenous cultures. He called for Rights for Nature.Berry pointed to ideas that lie beneath political, economic and social/cultural institutions –  the anthropocentrism and pro-growth hegemony that is embedded within current societies.  He called for Earth Jurisprudence,  shifting our governance systems from human-centred to earth-centred.  Governance must be a central focus as we move forward, both formally and informally, within families, organizations, governments.  In 2002 Cormac Cullinan developed the ‘Wild Law’ manifesto answering the call of Berry for the development of Rights of Nature.

While our current system of environmental law has made some progress, according to Michelle ‘it just mitigates around the edges of the problem’. Because it is based within the existing anthropocentric/pro-growth paradigm, the earth continues to deteriorate.  Meanwhile the Earth Law movement is burgeoning with a growing list of laws being implemented around the world. ALEA is leading the movement in Australia with five core areas of work: building community, creating alternatives (e.g. new economy network), transforming law (e.g. GreenPrints project, ecocide), reconnecting to what matters (e.g. science, ethics) and changing culture (e.g. education, earth arts).   Michelle shared stories of ALEA initiatives, including the recent Earth Law Tribunal in Brisbane this year.

Finally, Michelle introduced us to the Green Prints initiative, which is being designed for civil society and advocacy. Green Prints weaves together existing successful approaches including ecological footprint, new economy, transition towns etc., within an Earth systems science, earth law framework and using a bioregional/localisation approach to develop templates for living with harmony with nature. Those who attended came away inspired.