The Law of Mother Earth. If it passes, it will be historic. Bolivia’s legislature is debating the new bill, which many believe will be passed.
The proposed law states: “Mother Earth is a living dynamic system made up of the undivided community of all living beings, who are all interconnected, interdependent and complementary, sharing a common destiny.”
It is based on Sumaj Kawsay, a native phrase for living in harmony.
Basically the law requires a transition from non-renewable to renewable energy; to assess the ecological impact of all economic activity; ecological audits of all private and state companies; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; policies of food and renewable energy sovereignty; require all companies and individuals to be accountable for environmental contamination.
Of course there is opposition to the proposed law, mainly from large corporate mining and farming operations. Corporate soy farmers say the law “will make the productive sector inviable.”
Even government agencies say the law would not be enforceable because it would be a logistical nightmare.
Supporters say something has to be done about the exploitation by multi-national corporations: “We need to pull together peoples, researchers, and communities to develop real concrete alternatives so that the dominant systems of exploitation don’t just continue by default. This is not an easy task, but I believe with international solidarity, we can and must succeed.”-Raul Prada, adviser to Pacto de Unidad