The Ecological Citizen: Confronting human supremacy
HOME | ABOUT | SIGN UP FOR EMAILS
What is the Rights of Nature movement? (A definition)
The Rights of Nature movement argues that non-human nature possesses inherent and inalienable rights. In thus extending the concept of a right from humans to the rest of nature, the movement transcends the anthropocentric worldview of nature as property and other-than-human beings as exploitable objects. It calls for non-human rights to be expressed and respected via a range of legally enforceable mechanisms, including constitutions, treaties, statutes, ordinances, and decisions reached in courtrooms. Drawing on indigenous worldviews, it is a direct challenge to the human supremacist ideology.
Well-reported examples of early successes for the movement include constitutional reform in Ecuador to recognize the inherent rights of nature, legislature in Bolivia to uphold the 'Rights of Mother Earth', and a treaty to establish the legal personhood of the Whanganui River in New Zealand. The movement gains momentum with every passing month.
Related content
Towards ecological citizenship: Institutional violence and the social contract
Long article by Antony Allen [Vol 7 No 2 2024: 173–9]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
Beyond the North American Wildlife Conservation Model and towards Earth rights
Long article by Anja Heister [Vol 3 Suppl A 2019: 67–74]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
The silence of the humpback whale
Long article by Kathleen Dean Moore [Vol 3 Suppl A 2019: 7–11]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
Do current conservation plans to protect vital marine ecosystems need to do more?
Opinion by Michelle Bender [Vol 3 No 2 2020: 115–16]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
Rights of rivers enter the mainstream
Long article by Grant Wilson and Darlene May Lee [Vol 2 No 2 2019: 183–7]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
Enacting the wisdom of Chief Seattle today in Latin America
Long article by Coyote Alberto Ruz Buenfil [Vol 1 No 1 2017: 55–9]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
Rights of nature: A report on a conference in Switzerland
Meeting report by Marie-Lise Schläppy and Joe Gray [Vol 1 No 1 2017: 95–6]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
The Harmony with Nature initiative: Why it matters and what it might achieve
Opinion by Michelle Maloney [Vol 1 No 1 2017: 22–3]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS
Towards a new paradigm for nature in the EU: A report on a meeting in Belgium
Meeting report by Mumta Ito [Vol 1 No 1 2017: 97–8]
ACCESS PDF | MORE DETAILS