This podcast episode features Benny Andersson, CEO of Sweden’s Project 1882, who discusses animal rights in Europe. During the conversation, Andersson shares his personal journey from witnessing cruelty on mink farms to spearheading campaigns that led to bans on mink fur and strengthened legislation for fur-farmed species in Sweden. He outlines how grassroots organizing, legal advocacy, and public outreach come together to create effective change in animal welfare. The discussion offers inspiration and practical insights for animal protection efforts globally.

In April 2024, the European Court of Human Rights delivered a historic ruling in favor of KlimaSeniorinnen Switzerland, a group of older Swiss women who sued their government for failing to act on climate change. The court affirmed that effective climate protection is a human right, which marked a major milestone in global climate litigation and inspiring activists across generations. Among those leading the charge was, Elisabeth Stern, speaker of this talk, who is a cultural anthropologist and longtime environmental advocate who first witnessed the climate crisis firsthand during fieldwork in Zimbabwe.

This lecture explores how the “Mar Menor” lagoon in Spain became the first ecosystem in Europe to be legally recognized as a subject of rights. It highlights the pivotal role of civil society in driving this legal innovation through a successful popular legislative initiative. The talk outlines the interaction between grassroots movements and environmental lawmaking, presents key legal arguments behind the lagoon’s recognition, and considers the broader international implications. Positioned within a global trend that includes constitutional and judicial approaches across various countries, the “Mar Menor” case marks a significant moment in the growing rights of nature movement.

The UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) offers a podcast series focused on key environmental law issues in the UK and Europe. Episodes dive into nature conservation (e.g., Habitats & Birds Directives), procedural challenges at courts, and emerging legal tools like Environmental Outcome Reports. Hosted by leading legal scholars and barristers, the podcasts explore how scientific uncertainty, public participation, and human rights shape real-world environmental governance.

The Gaia Foundation’s short documentary highlights a community-led initiative in Selkie, Finland, where local villagers and the Snowchange Cooperative, led by Tero Mustonen, are restoring degraded ecosystems such as peatlands, rivers, and lakes. By blending traditional ecological knowledge with scientific methods, they are transforming former peat mining sites into biodiverse wetlands. These restored landscapes not only support wildlife and store carbon but also foster local livelihoods. Their efforts serve as a scalable model aligned with Finland’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035.