Legal scholars and advocates examine how the Rights of Nature movement transforms environmental governance. The panel outlines legal innovations that recognize nature as a subject with enforceable rights.

Pongo the Stolen Orangutan is a short animated film that tells the story of an illegally taken orangutan and explores how law can support ecological healing. It advocates for conservation litigation that restores ecosystems and holds perpetrators accountable beyond criminal punishment.

In this presentation, Margaret Stewart of the Center for Earth Jurisprudence explores how Earth jurisprudence reframes legal systems to recognize the intrinsic rights of nature. She emphasizes the need to move beyond anthropocentric legal frameworks and align governance with ecological relationships and Indigenous worldviews. The symposium, part of AELA’s Earth Laws Month, brought together speakers from across the globe to share insights on legal personhood for nature and Earth-centered governance.

In this Earth Charter podcast episode, Michelle Maloney, co-founder of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance, discusses Earth jurisprudence as a framework for rethinking law, governance, and ethics in alignment with ecological limits. She highlights the role of Indigenous knowledge, community action, and legal innovation in advancing Earth-centered systems that respect the interconnectedness of all life.

This video outlines how countries have begun granting legal personhood to rivers, forests, and other natural entities. These laws allow nature to hold rights, appear in court through guardians, and receive formal legal protection. Philosophical and cultural foundations, including Indigenous worldviews, shape this shift by recognizing nature as a living community rather than property. The video presents examples from different regions to show how this legal concept is spreading globally.

This short film introduces key ideas behind ecological jurisprudence. It highlights global efforts to establish legal recognition for ecosystems and the Earth as a whole.

This video explores the concept of the Rights of Nature through the South American philosophy of “Buen Vivir” (or “Sumak Kawsay”), which emphasizes harmony between humans and the natural world. Dorine van Norren examines how this Indigenous worldview has shaped Ecuador’s constitution and inspired legal cases recognizing nature’s inherent rights, raising questions about its broader impact on environmental justice and legal systems worldwide.

The CLX Toolkit video library features short, expert-led presentations that explore climate litigation as a tool for systemic change. Topics include rights-based legal strategies, the role of international law, and how communities use litigation to confront climate harm and advance justice.

Philosopher Roman Krznaric argues that society must shift from short-term thinking to long-term responsibility. He calls for adopting a “cathedral thinking” mindset, or planning with future generations in mind, and offers practical ways to embed “long-termism” into politics, economics, and culture to ensure a livable planet for those who come after us.

The Center for Environmental Rights hosts a series of webinars that explore legal tools and case studies related to Earth-centered law. Experts examine the evolution of rights-based approaches to environmental protection.