It’s Time for a Right to a Healthy Environment in Nova Scotia

Did you know that there are no Nova Scotian laws that recognize a human right to a healthy environment? 

Many of us take it for granted that our environmental laws protect human rights to clean air, clean water, clean soil, and a climate that supports human life and wellbeing. But Nova Scotian law doesn’t actually recognize human rights to these essential necessities.

When communities in Nova Scotia are burdened with polluted air, water, or soil that endangers their health and wellbeing, they can’t go to the Government of Nova Scotia to say that rights to a healthy environment are being violated. Likewise, Nova Scotians who are concerned about the global climate emergency and its impacts here at home have limited legal tools they can use to call for more ambitious action by government.

We are living in a triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change, and global pollution. Nova Scotians are feeling the effects through disastrous floods, destructive wildfire seasons, and the decline of culturally significant species like the Mainland Moose. Creating law that recognizes a human right to a healthy environment in Nova Scotia can make a difference.

Get Involved!

Scroll down and use one or more of the engagement tools on this webpage to join us in calling for a Bill of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities that:

• says all Nova Scotians have a right to a healthy environment in which biodiversity is preserved,

• says the Government of Nova Scotia has a legal responsibility to protect the environment for present and future generations,

• gives Nova Scotians new and enhanced legal tools to support this work, and

• supports the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Here are the digital engagement tools you’ll find when you scroll down:

• a petition calling on the Premier, the leader of the Official Opposition, and the leader of the Nova Scotia Liberals to commit to enacting a Bill of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities for Nova Scotia,

• a template you can use as a foundation for emails to the Premier, the leader of the Official Opposition, and the leader of the Nova Scotia Liberals, and

• a tool that will help you write and submit a Letter to the Editor for publication in a local paper.

Check back next week for a digital engagement tool that will help you write and send an email to your local MLA.

Want to learn more? Click here to register for a webinar discussion to be held on Wednesday, December 4th, on why the right to a healthy environment is so important and how we can work together to make it a reality in Nova Scotia.