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Natalia Greene is an Ecuadorian activist and political scientist. She is the Vice President of Ecuadorian Coordinator of Organizations for the Defense of Nature and the Environment (CEDENMA), part of the Collective or organizations and citizen groups that presented the Machángara case.
Natalia is also the Global Coordinator of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) and Secretary of the International Rights of Nature Tribunal that will hold a Tribunal session on the End of the Fossil Fuel Era during Climate Week NYC, also presenting amazing victories around the world for the Rights of Nature such as the recent win of Quito’s river.
To mark this week’s theme of environmental justice in the countdown to Climate Week NYC, we spoke to Natalia about the recent landmark victory in the fight for the rights of the heavily polluted Machángara River in Quito, Ecuador, and her plans for the week.
1. What is the main focus of your organization and why?
On May 28th, 2024, citizen groups from Ecuador and international supporters along with the Kitu Kara People brought a “Protection Action’’ – a legal case - to the Pichincha Tribunal on behalf of the Machángara River. This is a heavily polluted 22 km long river that crosses Quito, Ecuador.
City officials admitted it only treats 2% of its water.
On July 5th, the court of Pichincha ruled that the Municipality of Quito is violating the rights of the Machángara River, and it ordered the implementation of a decontamination plan. The plan must include concrete measures to reduce pollution, and emphasize collaboration between civil society, citizen groups and the municipality. The ruling declared the Machángara River has rights, marking a historic opportunity to decontaminate one of the most emblematic rivers of the capital of Ecuador.
2. What are the biggest obstacles you encounter in your work, and how do you navigate them?
Ecuador is the first country in the world to recognize the Rights of Nature into its constitution. However, there are still many challenges to fully guarantee these rights, especially when it comes to the restoration of ecosystems like the Machángara River which is overrun with sewage and is now a “dead” river. This ruling sets an important precedent for restoration.
The Municipality of Quito has appealed, arguing that it’s already making efforts to clean the river. Additionally, they argue that the “Protection Action” ruling is not the appropriate process for achieving this objective. People of Quito replied on social media, demanding that the Municipality would withdraw the appeal, as no municipality plans or ordinance have achieved the goal of cleaning up the river, which has an average level of 2% oxygen, making it impossible for aquatic life to thrive.
The ruling also addresses the viability of water treatment plants, and highlights that budget issues should not be an obstacle to cleaning up the rivers. It is crucial that the Municipality effectively manages available resources and continues to ask financial support from the central state to expand these projects.
The collectives and lawyers with whom we presented the case held a press conference after the ruling, and are preparing themselves in case the Municipality does not withdraw its appeal. We’re confident that we have a very strong case.
3. Can you share a success story where your organization made a significant impact on a community facing environmental challenges?
Having a ruling that recognizes the rights of Machángara river, the most important river of the capital of Quito and an order its restoration is historic, and definitely a success story.
It sets a precedent for collaborative efforts between citizens and authorities to achieve a common goal. The ruling mandates that, regardless of who is in office, river decontamination must be included in each Municipality's management plan, ensuring that projects do not become stagnant.
4. With Climate Week NYC approaching, what is the one thing you hope to see regarding environmental justice?
Our goal for Climate Week NYC is to raise awareness for the Rights of Nature as an alternative paradigm that not only contributes to environmental justice but also helps transform human consciousness and creates a framework for living in harmony with nature, as we are nature defending itself.
We are organizing a Tribunal Session on the End of the Fossil Fuel Era on September 22nd at Climate Week NYC. It will serve as a platform to denounce the global consumption and production of fossil fuels, that instead of decreasing, as it should, we see its infrastructure and dangerous effects increasing each time. We will also expose the science behind the need to end the exploitation of fossil fuels and the efforts towards the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty as well as other initiatives such as Yasuni and XL Pipeline.
More details on the event to come soon!