Summary
In May 2023, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved a resolution recognizing the rights of natural communities and ecosystems. The resolution recognizes the rights of these entities in Rhode Island to exist, flourish, evolve, regenerate, recover, and be restored.
This initiative stems from Rhode Island hosting the 2023 Ocean Race event. With over 400 miles of coastline, Rhode Island is known as ‘the Ocean State’. The declaration states, “Once again, Newport is thrilled to welcome the Ocean Race to our City by the Sea. Additionally, the wellbeing of Rhode Islanders is inextricably linked with the health and integrity of the Ocean, including the physical systems, ecosystems, and species. Rhode Islanders recognize that our natural environment is one of our most valuable cultural and economic assets not just locally, but nationally and globally.”
“This event also reminds us once again that Rhode Island must regularly evaluate whether its plans, laws, and programs are sufficient to meet the growing environmental crisis, including climate change and biodiversity loss, and we must explore all means of addressing them.”
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/rhode-island-u-s-resolution-recognizing-rights-of-natural-ecosystems/.
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