When we think of human rights, we consider the atrocities of nations whose leaders commit genocide or assert their power in a manner that humans are left with no rights or dignity.  There are different organizations and nations that address these concerns.  However, these injustices tend to overshadow what may be an even bigger human rights violation, which is the violation of the rights of the less fortunate countries by the more developed nations.

Upon examining the environmental crisis on a global scale, it is evident that of all countries, the most developed nations produce by far the most pollution.  However this pollution does not simply harm the region where the pollution is derived.  Global warming is related to methane and carbon dioxide emissions, which are produced in far greater amounts in developed nations.  But believing that global warming is an imminent crisis is not required to see how one nation can affect far more than its own region.  US imports of oil, imports of trees from the Amazon forests, or gathering of other natural resources have had a devastating effect on ecological systems throughout the world.

Ok, so you may agree that there are worldwide environmental problems and that developed nations tend to lead the way in creating those impacts.  But how does this equate to human rights violations?

If you believe the science concerning global warming, and you see the evidence of rivers and streams that support people in third-world countries drying up, then who is to blame for the dying and suffering of the people who no longer have water to drink?  Everyone is to blame, but is it not a greater responsibility of the developed nations?

What about imports of natural resources.  One could argue that poor people or poor countries who export these resources are benefiting from the money received by exporting.  But are the poor the ones who truly benefit, when they are either not educated about the impact of removing those resources, or the resources are taken without regard to the needs of those people?  Of course not!  The rich are the ones that benefit from exports.  Meanwhile the poor suffer from at best a temporary source of income, and at worst, a loss of natural resources that are a means of living.

Human rights are one of the most important reasons why we should all care for the earth.  Everyone needs to be a part of the solution to the end of this crisis, no matter how irreversible it may seem to be.  Please find a way to positively impact our world, for your own sake, and for the sake of those less fortunate.

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