Bolivian president creates 'Mother Earth Ministry'

TIQUIPAYA, Bolivia – TIQUIPAYA, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia's president says he is creating a "Mother Earth Ministry" to promote the planet's rights and says that he would like to establish an international court with the power to punish nations that fail to obey emissions-reduction agreements.

The court of "climate justice" would be located in Cochabama, the central city where President Evo Morales recently hosted a three-day climate-change conference. It was attended by environmentalists, Indian communities and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Morales revealed the plans Friday as he launched a campaign to plant 10 million trees — equal to Bolivia's population — by April 22, 2011. He did not say what he would do to garner other nations' support for the climate justice court.