Full Description
At a critical juncture when Earth faces unprecedented ecological challenges, a fundamental reconceptualization of environmental protection has emerged: the Rights of Nature. This book examines the philosophical evolution and practical implementation of nature's rights across three dimensions. The analysis traces how religious doctrines, philosophical traditions, and economic systems have reinforced anthropocentric approaches to environmental protection. It explores the theoretical foundations of nature's rights, integrating classical critique with contemporary environmental ethics. It then analyzes how these rights can be recognized within international legal frameworks. Through examination of judicial precedents, constitutional innovations, and international instruments, this book illuminates pathways toward protecting the inherent rights of natural entities. The approach bridges theoretical discourse and practical implementation, demonstrating how recognizing nature's rights represents a fundamental transformation in the relationship between human and non-human nature.
Contents
PREFACE ...............................................................................................................................................iii
CHAPTER 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 4
THE EVOLUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: AN INTRODUCTION ............... 4
1.1 The Contemporary Ecological Crisis: Beyond Anthropogenic Impact .................................... 1
1.2 From Conservation to Rights: The Journey of Environmental Law ......................................... 1
1.3 Shifting Perspectives in Nature-Human Relations .................................................................... 2
1.4 The Emergence of Nature's Legal Personhood ........................................................................... 2
1.5 Content Structure and Methodological Framework .................................................................. 3
CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 4
PHILOSOPHICAL AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS......................................................... 4
2.1 Rethinking Nature's Place in Law: From Object to Subject ...................................................... 4
2.1.1 The Anthropocentric Worldview: Origins and Manifestations .......................................... 5
2.1.2 Capitalism and Environmental Degradation: A Critical Analysis .................................... 10
2.1.3 Utilitarian Approaches to Nature .......................................................................................... 13
2.1.4 The Evolution of Environmental Ethics ............................................................................. 15
2.2 Constructing the Rights of Nature ............................................................................................ 22
2.2.1 The Ontological Status of Nature's Intrinsic Value ........................................................... 22
2.2.2 Building a Framework for Rights ....................................................................................... 24
2.2.3 Legal Recognition in Practice ............................................................................................. 28
CHAPTER 3 .......................................................................................................................................... 31
RIGHTS OF NATURE IN INTERNATIONAL LAW: EVOLUTION AND CHALLENGES .......... 32
3.1 Transnational Environmental Challenges and the Need for International Protection .......... 32
3.2 The Scope and Task of International Law of Nature ................................................................ 33
3.3 Institutional Mechanisms for Protecting the Rights of Nature ............................................... 34
3.3.1 Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth ....................................................... 34
3.3.2 International Rights of Nature Tribunal ............................................................................ 35
3.4 Enforcement Mechanisms and Legal Guardianship of the Rights of Nature ......................... 36
CHAPTER 4 .......................................................................................................................................... 39
CONCLUSION: ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ........ 39
4.1 Synthesis of Philosophical and Legal Developments ............................................................... 39
4.2 Critical Assessment of Contemporary Framework ................................................................... 39
4.3 Future Directions and Recommendations ................................................................................ 40
APPENDIX A ........................................................................................................................................ 42
Universal Declaration of Rights of Mother Earth ............................................................................... 42
APPENDIX B ........................................................................................................................................ 44
The Timeline of the Rights of Nature ................................................................................................. 44
APPENDIX C ........................................................................................................................................ 45
Key Legal Precedents in Rights of Nature (2018-2024) ..................................................................... 45
BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................................................. 47
INDEX ................................................................................................................................................... 54
