Reflections from the online seminar “Challenges of environmental democracy”
The environmental challenges we face today are unprecedented, and have emerged as an issue that threatens global democracies. This was the central theme of the last seminar of our project “VOCES – Voices of civil society for a more sustainable democracy: dialogue between Europe and Latin America” entitled “Challenges of environmental democracy”. In this event we had the presence of three participants of the VOCES project where they offered perspectives on the relationship between environment, human rights and citizen participation.
The first to speak was Caroline Feital, who with her contribution “Main challenges for the protection of the environment as a way to guarantee human rights in Latin American countries with high levels of social inequality” shared her concern about the problems of Latin America and the Caribbean, with special emphasis on Brazil. He also recalled the urgent need to speak not only of ecological transition, but also of a just transition. Feital recalled that social inequality exacerbates the impacts of the climate crisis on the most vulnerable populations, thus underlining the importance of addressing environmental challenges in a comprehensive manner, addressing both the environmental and social dimensions.
Jaime Doreste, with his contribution “Freedom of expression, SLAPPs and animal activism” provided a unique perspective on strategic lawsuits against public participation(SLAPPs) at the animal and environmental level. He highlighted how these lawsuits have the power to silence critical voices that seek change in the way we relate to natural environments and their wildlife. Doreste exposed a clear case of SLAPP with the case of the Madrid Zoo vs. Great Ape Project, where the latter denounced the situation of sick dolphins that were still giving shows at the zoo. All this went all the way to the Supreme Court, which dismissed the case and highlighted the vulnerability of those who dare to challenge the imposed model.
Finally, César Gamboa, through his contribution “Building environmental democracy: the struggle for the ratification of the Escazú Agreement”, explained the importance of the Escazú Agreement in Latin America and delved into the difficulties faced by its ratification in the different states of the region. He pointed out, among other things, that many of these countries argue that ratification of the agreement would mean a loss of sovereignty over their natural resources and state investments. Gamboa emphasized the need to overcome these barriers to guarantee environmental protection and citizen participation in decision-making.
In summary, the seminar “Challenges of Environmental Democracy” provided a space for reflection on the intersection between environment, democracy and human rights. The speakers highlighted the urgency of addressing the environmental crisis from an integral perspective that recognizes social inequalities, protects citizen participation and promotes environmental justice. These reflections are fundamental to promote real change towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Carmen Coleto Martínez, Junior Project manager.
The recording of the seminar is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4XCWAqCtWM
Contribution Caroline Feital Nunes “Principales desafíos para la protección del medio ambiente como forma de garantizar los derechos humanos en países”.
Contribution Jaime Doreste “Libertad de expresión, SLAPPs y activismo animalista”.
Contribution Cesar Gamboa Balbin “Construyendo la democracia ambiental: la lucha por la ratificación del Acuerdo de Escazú”.
