Summary
The NGO called Community Roots drafted a Climate Bill of Rights for Asheville, North Carolina. The draft law includes a Rights if Nature clause, stipulating that “ecosystems and natural communities within the city of Asheville possess the right to naturally exist, flourish, regenerate, evolve, and be restored.” The ordinance also includes the right to self-government, a healthy climate, clean air, water, and soil, freedom from toxic trespass, environmental justice, a sustainable energy future, and protection from governmental and corporate interference. The organization fell 27 signatures short of getting the Climate Bill of Rights on the ballot in 2020. However, its website says the group will launch a second signature campaign in the summer of 2021.