Tracing its roots to Christopher Stone’s 1972 essay, “Should Trees Have Standing?” the concept of giving nature stronger legal rights, sometimes referred to as ‘Rights of Nature,’ is gaining traction in communities around the world. By this model, rivers, mountains, or whole territories can be recognized with legal personhood, much like a corporation. This allows a natural entity to have standing in court on its own merits and entails a more robust set of rights. Yet, since nature cannot speak for itself, guardians or stewards are necessary to represent it, akin to speaking for a child in court who can’t advocate for themselves. The Indigenous Homelands program has been looking deeper into this concept in partnership with First Nations seeking ...
Read moreMain menu
About
Priorities
Innovation
Latest