Is a River Alive? Exploring Nature and Law

The Fight for River Rights

Will Falk, a poet and environmental activist, fought to give the Colorado River legal rights. Even though the court dismissed the case, his journey inspired a book called How Dams Fall. This experience strengthened his belief that rivers are living beings. It also highlighted the need for a global movement to protect nature’s rights.

Robert Macfarlane’s Insightful Book

Robert Macfarlane, a famous author and professor, explores nature’s connections in his book Is a River Alive?. His work looks at the vital links between water and the natural world. He presents these ideas in clear and vivid language.

Macfarlane’s Notable Works

• Mountains of the Mind (2003)
• The Wild Places (2007)
• The Old Ways (2012)
• Landmarks (2015)
• The Gifts of Reading (2016)
• The Lost Words (2017)
• Underland (2019)

Discovering Is a River Alive?

In his latest book, Is a River Alive?, Macfarlane takes readers on a journey through three unique places:

• Los Cedros, a cloud forest in Ecuador
• Chennai, India, where rivers meet the Indian Ocean
• Nitassinan, home of the Innu First Nations people in Canada

Los Cedros: A Forest Full of Life

In Los Cedros, Macfarlane and his friends explore a forest that has legal rights. This forest is like a living museum, full of many species of plants, animals, and fungi.

Chennai: A City of Contrasts

Chennai is very different from Los Cedros. The city’s rivers are polluted and struggling. But there is hope. Activists like Yuvan Aves work hard to protect and restore the natural environment.

The Adyar river in the early 20th century. India Illustrated/Public Domain

Nitassinan: A River’s Journey

In Nitassinan, Macfarlane and his team go on a tough journey to the source of the Mutehekau Shipu river. This river, like Los Cedros, has legal rights. This is a big step in the movement to protect nature’s rights.

The Power of Words

Macfarlane’s writing is full of vivid descriptions and clever references. He uses science, philosophy, literature, and music to create a rich picture of the natural world.

Playfulness in Writing

Macfarlane’s writing is not only informative but also fun and engaging. He uses clever comparisons and vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the world around him.

Hope and Togetherness

Even though nature faces many challenges, there is hope. Activists and advocates fight for nature’s rights. Macfarlane’s book encourages readers to join this global movement. It urges us to work towards a more sustainable future.

Song of the Cedars

In a historic legal petition, the More than Human Life (MOTH) Collective argued that the forest helped create a song written in the misty heights of Los Cedros. This case shows the importance of recognizing nature’s role in human creativity.

“Trees, speak in your leaves, please
And streams, tell me your dreams

(Fluye río)

Birds, sing me your rhymes, please
And stones, teach me your times

(Baja río)

(Clouds) Clouds, deepen my sight, please

(Corre río)

(Storms) Storms, lend me your light

(Fluye río)

(Earth) Earth, cover my limbs now

(Fluye río)

(Mould) Mould, thrive on my skin

(Baja río)”

Conclusion

Macfarlane’s Is a River Alive? is a powerful look at the natural world and the fight for its rights. Through clear and engaging writing, he urges readers to join the global movement to protect nature. He encourages us to work towards a more sustainable future.

Is a River Alive?, Robert Macfarlane, WW Norton.