Introduction: A Warning and a Call for Transformation
In an era of ecological crisis and climate disruption, it is increasingly clear that the colonial constructs that define our current economic systems—especially those that reduce the natural world to commodities—are no longer sustainable. As humanity grapples with climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse, we are called to rethink how we understand the value of nature. This is not a moment for fear but for hope rooted in responsibility. The time has come to reconstitute new forms of recognition for natural resources—forms that draw from natural law and Indigenous worldviews and move us toward decommodification processes.
Understanding Natural Law: A Foundation for Balance and Reciprocity
In many Indigenous traditions, natural law is a set of guiding principles that govern the relationships between all beings—human and non-human. It is rooted in observation, interdependence, respect, and responsibility. Natural law recognizes that humans are not above nature but are part of it and that every element of the natural world holds intrinsic value beyond economic worth.
In contrast to colonial legal and economic systems prioritizing ownership, control, and extraction, natural law prioritizes relationality, responsibility, and continuity. It is about living by the rhythms and rules of Mother Earth rather than trying to dominate them.
Lumber and Natural Law: A New Way to Value Forests
Take the Canadian lumber industry as an example. Under colonial economic systems, forests are measured by board feet, market value, and export potential. Trees are seen as units of production.
Under natural law, however, a forest is not just timber—it is a living ecosystem. It provides medicines, oxygen, shelter, cultural teachings, and spiritual connection. Decommodifying lumber means recognizing and protecting these broader values. It could involve setting harvest limits based on ecological regeneration, requiring community-governed stewardship, or embedding cultural protocols and consent in forestry operations. This approach would align extractive industries with the natural cycles and laws of the territories in which they operate.
What Happens If We Don’t Change? A Vision of 50 Years Without Decommodification
If we fail to implement decommodification processes, the next 50 years may see natural resources pushed beyond their limits:
- Forests depleted beyond regeneration, triggering mass species extinction.
- Waterways are poisoned or privatized, denying future generations access to clean water.
- Sacred sites are destroyed for short-term gains.
- Climate systems pushed into irreversible tipping points, affecting global food security, migration, and public health.
Without intentional change, our value systems will prioritize profit over planetary survival.
Decommodification as Policy: What Could It Look Like?
Decommodification doesn’t mean halting all use of natural resources—it means rethinking how we value and manage them. Policies rooted in natural law could include:
- Community-Led Stewardship Models: Return governance of lands and resources to Indigenous Nations and local communities.
- Ecological Carrying Capacity Laws: Mandate that extraction levels stay within nature’s regenerating ability.
- Cultural Impact Assessments: Alongside environmental reviews, evaluate resource projects’ cultural and spiritual impacts.
- Rights of Nature Legislation: Recognize rivers, forests, and ecosystems as legal persons with rights to thrive.
- Circular and Regenerative Economies: Design systems that reuse, restore, and regenerate rather than extract and discard.
Each of these policies would build toward an economy that is aligned with rather than in opposition to the Earth’s well-being.
Technology and Innovation: A Partner in Responsibility
When aligned with values of responsibility and sustainability, technology can support a future of balanced resource use. Imagine:
- Biomaterials replacing fossil fuels.
- AI and data analytics monitoring ecosystem health in real-time.
- Traditional Knowledge databases informing climate-smart agriculture.
- Clean energy grids co-designed by Indigenous communities.
Technological innovation can either accelerate the destruction of nature—or help us restore and protect it. The choice lies in the values we embed within our systems.
Decommodification and Climate Action: Mitigation and Adaptation
Decommodification of natural resources is not just a philosophical shift—it is a practical strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation:
- Mitigation: Reduced extraction and emissions through regenerative systems.
- Adaptation: Stronger community resilience through land-based governance and ecological health.
- Equity: Ensuring all peoples, especially Indigenous Nations, have agency in climate solutions.
By recognizing that nature is not a commodity but a relation, we build the cultural, spiritual, and ecological foundations for long-term resilience.
A Shared Future Rooted in Respect
The consequences will be severe if we continue to commodify and exploit nature. But if we reimagine our relationship to the Earth through natural law, decommodify our policies and economies, and act with love for future generations—for all our relations—we can create a just, thriving future.
Now is the time to ask: What do we value? And how will we ensure that our grandchildren and their grandchildren inherit a planet where they can live well, in balance, and in beauty?
By Rye Karonhiowanen Barberstock
(Image Credit: Fellipe Ditadi, Unsplash+, licensed image)
The post Reimagining Our Relationship with Natural Resources: A Path Toward Climate Resilience through Natural Law and Decommodification appeared first on Indigenous Climate Hub.
SYDNEY, Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference in Sydney, dropping a 3 metre-long banner in the main foyer outside the conference room saying, ‘Gas Execs Profit, We Pay The Price’.
- Images and footage for media use can be found here — more will be uploaded by 10:00am AEDT.
- Live updates on Greenpeace Instagram
Two activists dropped the banner at around 8.30AM in the grand stairwell outside the conference room. They were joined by a group of ten activists with hand banners saying, ‘Tax Gas Profits’. The two activists have locked themselves to the banner and the bannister.
With this peaceful protest, Greenpeace is calling for the gas industry to be taxed properly, and to accelerate the transition toward cheap, clean homegrown renewable energy.
The 13th annual Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference is a gathering of fossil fuel executives, lobbyists, government and investors at the Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park to discuss the future of the polluting gas industry.
Solaye Snider, Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Gas corporations in Australia are ripping us off. From Ukraine to Iran, these corporations treat global conflict as an opportunity to line their pockets and drill for more gas — but while gas executives profit, we pay the price with more climate pollution, more environmental destruction, and soaring bills for Australian households.
“It’s in Australia’s interest to unhook from volatile, polluting and expensive sources of energy like gas. The fastest path to cheaper power bills and a safer climate is clear: start taxing gas exports properly and speed up the transition toward homegrown renewable energy.
“As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels like gas, our electricity bills and our climate are at the mercy of global instability and greedy corporations who put their profits over people and planet.”
Alex Saurin, Greenpeace Australia Pacific activist who dropped the banner, said: “It feels powerful to take a stand against these gas corporations that have been trampling over the Australian people and our environment for far too long.
“Gas giants like Santos and ConocoPhillips have spent years blocking renewable energy and dodging fair taxes to protect their record profits. While families struggle to pay the bills and the climate crisis accelerates, these companies continue to demand free right to do whatever they want.
“It is beyond time for our leaders to shake off the gas industry’s grip and start taxing these corporations fairly while clearing the path for the renewable energy we desperately need. They need to start making decisions for our people and our planet — not just for us now, but for the generations to come.”
Key facts:
- Greenpeace activists disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference at the Sheraton Grand, Sydney Hyde Park at 8.20 AM today, Tuesday 31 March.
- Two activists dropped a banner over the grand stairwell that says, “Gas Execs Profit, We Pay The Price”. The activists have locked themselves to the banner and the bannister.
- A larger group of activists joined the protest, holding hand banners saying, “Tax Gas Profits”.
- Representatives from some of the biggest fossil fuel polluters in Australia and globally, including Santos, ExxonMobil and Shell are speaking at the conference.
—ENDS—
Media contacts:
Lucy Keller on +61 491 135 308 or lucy.keller@greenpeace.org or Kate O’Callaghan on +61 406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org
A planned 1.3-mile wall across Mount Cristo Rey has drawn opposition from environmentalists and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces.
Editor’s note: This story was co-published with Puente News Collaborative in partnership with Inside Climate News. Puente News Collaborative is a bilingual nonprofit newsroom and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border.
Blasting Begins For Border Wall On Cherished New Mexico Mountain
Greenpeace activists have been arrested after taking action at a major gas conference this morning in Sydney.
Earlier today, brave activists disrupted the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, dropping a banner with a simple message: Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price.
They were also holding banners calling to Tax Gas Profits, making it clear that Australians have had enough.
Following the peaceful protest, two activists were arrested by police.
Watch and share the video to see what’s happening.
Why this matters
Gas corporations are raking in billions in profit from global crises – from Ukraine to Iran – while everyday Australians are left paying the price with higher energy bills and climate damage.
At the same time, these companies continue to avoid paying their fair share of tax.
That’s why Greenpeace activists took action.
A message from the activists
Alex Saurin, Greenpeace activist who dropped the banner, said:
“It feels powerful to take a stand against these gas corporations that have been trampling over the Australian people and our environment for far too long.
Gas giants like ExxonMobil and Santos have spent years blocking renewable energy and dodging fair taxes to protect their record profits. While families struggle to pay the bills and the climate crisis accelerates, these companies continue to demand free right to do whatever they want.
It is beyond time for our leaders to shake off the gas industry’s grip and start taxing these corporations fairly while clearing the path for the renewable energy we desperately need. They need to start making decisions for our people and our planet – not just for us now, but for the generations to come.”
These are ordinary people taking extraordinary action, standing up to an industry that continues to put profits ahead of people and the planet.
Standing up to Big Gas
Today’s arrests are a reminder of what it takes to challenge this industry.
As Greenpeace Campaigner, Solaye Snider, said:
“Gas corporations in Australia are ripping us off. From Ukraine to Iran, these corporations treat global conflict as an opportunity to line their pockets and drill for more gas – but while gas executives profit, we pay the price with more climate pollution, more environmental destruction, and soaring bills for Australian households.
“It’s in Australia’s interest to unhook from volatile, polluting and expensive sources of energy like gas. The fastest path to cheaper power bills and a safer climate is clear: start taxing gas exports properly and speed up the transition toward homegrown renewable energy.
“As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels like gas, our electricity bills and our climate are at the mercy of global instability and greedy corporations who put their profits over people and planet.”
What needs to happen now
Gas is expensive. It’s volatile. And it ties our energy system to global instability. But there is a better way.
The government is already considering introducing a tax on gas corporations before the May budget – now we need to make sure they follow through.
That’s an important first step, but it’s just the beginning.
Renewable energy is already cheaper, more reliable, and made right here in Australia. It’s the fastest path to lower bills, real energy security and a safer climate.
To invest in a better future, we need to:
- properly tax gas corporations and their exports,
- stop expanding gas, and
- speed up the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
This is just the beginning
This action, and the arrests that followed, are part of a growing movement to stand up to Big Gas and challenge the power it holds over our government and society. The Federal Government has a role to play – starting by taxing gas corporations properly and then accelerating the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
Together, we can show just how much support there is for change, and make it impossible for decision-makers to ignore.
What you can do
- Follow along on our social channels.
- Share the video far and wide to show your support.
- Sign the petition to tell Albo to stand up to Big Gas.
- Sign up to find out how you can become a volunteer and take action.
BREAKING: Greenpeace activists arrested after standing up to Big Gas in Sydney
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