Advocates like marine biologist Callie Veelenturf aim to fundamentally transform humanity's relationship with nature by enshrining nature's rights within legal systems. The approach has achieved national adoption in Panama, Ecuador and Bolivia, while U.S. states and cities enact local protections.
A Turning Point for Veelenturf
In 2018, Veelenturf realized nature lacked equivalent recourse while defending her own rights against workplace harassment. The stark contrast inspired a mission to pioneer legal rights for the ecosystems she studied.
"We can't defend the rights of nature as I had just defended my rights, because nature largely has no rights in our legal systems," Veelenturf remarked.
Laws Recognizing Rights Take Hold
Backed by Panama's first lady and parliament, Veelenturf helped the country become the latest to establish rights of nature nationally. The legislation has since shuttered a major copper mine to prevent threats to tropical forests and water.
In the U.S., Seattle now recognizes salmon rights to migrate past dams. While North Carolina is weighing rights for the Haw River. Over ten states have some framework for legal nature rights.
"What we're doing now is obviously not working, so this provides a different way of interacting with nature,” said Veelenturf. “I think we're now at a point where it's worth a shot."
The movement marks a philosophical shift - prioritizing ecosystems themselves rather than just human needs. Each new adoption encourages rights-of-nature advocates towards bolder visions for harmonious coexistence.
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