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The rights you might not realize you have - Shannon Odell

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TEDEd Animation

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Since 2015, an unprecedented movement has been sweeping courts around the world. Groups of young plaintiffs are suing their governments for their inaction on tackling climate change. These suits argue that climate inaction violates their basic human rights. But what do human rights have to do with the environment? Shannon Odell examines our right to a healthy environment, food, health, and water.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

To continue engaging with the fight for environmental justice, follow updates from the United Nations Human Rights Office. Read about their mission here, which includes information about environmental activist and journalist Sophia Li. Li's podcast, Climate Talks, discusses the steps we can all take toward building a sustainable world and is an excellent resource for any budding activist. This Reuters article can also get you up to speed on the latest and most significant legal action being taken in the fight for eco-justice.

For more information about the growing climate crisis, watch this TED video here. And for more on the history of human rights, watch the TED-Ed lesson, What Are Human Rights? If you're feeling ambitious, you can also explore the full text of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Writer Shannon Odell
  • Director Lorenzo Mercanti, AIM Creative Studios
  • Narrator Addison Anderson
  • Composer André Aires
  • Sound Designer André Aires
  • Storyboard Artist Lorenzo Mercanti, Elisabetta Vedovato
  • Animator Lorenzo García-Amaya, Rudá Virginio, André Cunha
  • AIM Creative Studios Producer Tiago Ribeiro, Natália Andrade
  • Art Director Lorenzo Mercanti, Elisabetta Vedovato
  • Illustrator Lorenzo Mercanti
  • Produced by Gerta Xhelo, Abdallah Ewis
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Editorial Producer Shannon Odell

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