Should Australia recognise the human right to a healthy environment

Australia is one of only 15 nations (a list that also includes Canada and the United States) that does not recognise the human right to a healthy environment at the federal level.

Do we have the right to a healthy environment?

Last year, the Australian Panel of Experts on Environmental Law recommended that environmental democracy in Australia “must have as a foundation, respect for fundamental human rights and, in particular, an enforceable right to a clean and healthy environment”.

Suggestions have also been made by various academics and environmental protection organisations to recognise the right in existing and proposed state human rights charters, including the soon-to-be-developed Queensland Human Rights Act.

So should Australia heed these calls and recognise the right? The global experience with environmental rights recognition suggests that it could be beneficial.

Read the story from The Conversation by the Adjunct Lecturer from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tasmania, Meg Good - "Should Australia recognise the human right to a healthy environment.”

Why this south-east Queensland council declared a 'climate emergency'

Frustrated by stagnant policy at the federal level, Australian communities are looking elsewhere for responses to climate change.

Noosa council declared a climate emergency to
send a strong message, according to the mayor.

Businesses, communities and, increasingly, local governments are stepping up to the plate.

As the closest tier of government to the people, it’s our responsibility to listen to the concerns of residents, and they are demanding a healthy and resilient future for their children and grandchildren.

The concerns of our communities are not being heard by the national decision-makers. Local governments have no choice but to act as climate advocates for their communities and thus take matters into their own hands.

Read the story from the Brisbane Times by Tony Wellington  -  “Why this south-east Queensland council declared a 'climate emergency'.”

‘First thing': Phelps set sights on reviving fortunes of climate body

Kerryn Phelps, the likely new member for Wentworth, will push for the revival of the near-defunct Climate Change Authority as part of her efforts to advance action on global warming at a federal level.

Anote Tong (left), a former president of Kiribati
 and now leading advocate for climate action, discussed
the issue during a meeting with Kerryn Phelps, the likely
new member for Wentworth, on Saturday in Sydney.

Dr Phelps, who appears to hold an unassailable lead of 1783 votes for the seat vacated by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, said her determination to emphasise cutting carbon emissions and advancing renewable energy was reinforced by a meeting in Sydney on Saturday with ex-Kiribati president Anote Tong.

Read the story from The Sydney Morning Herald by Peter Hannam - “‘First thing': Phelps set sights on reviving fortunes of climate body.”