Aligning our laws with Nature’s laws.
Earth law is the idea that ecosystems have the right to exist, thrive, and evolve—and that Nature should be able to defend its rights, just like people can.
News & Events
-
Climate Week NYC
Theatrical premiere of ancient eco-fable, Earth Law Colloquium with panels & art installation, networking events, and more.
-
Watch the award-winning short film!
Newly released: Last Stand: Saving the Elwha River's Legacy Forests
-
Biobío River (Chile) Declaration of Rights
Support the campaign to establish rights for this critical Chilean river.
A few things we’re proud of
Earth Law Portal
A unique repository of Earth law models
and templates.
Nature Governance
Co-created the first ever Board Seat for Nature at a company.
Earth Law Coursebook
Edited and co-wrote the first law school course book on Earth law.
Global Reach
Advanced ecocentric legal initiatives in 20+ countries and at the UN.
Rights of Nature
Helped secure rights recognition for 10+ ecosystems in the Americas.
Earth Law Training
Educated over 1,000 students and 300 lawyers . . . and counting.
We are global
Our team of “Earth lawyers” is based throughout the United States as well as in Mexico, Chile, Canada, France, and Nigeria. We are highly active in Latin America, and other flagship regions include the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. Southwest, and New York State. Our main office is in Durango, Colorado, where our Executive Director and several other staffers are based.
Our Work
-
Rivers & Forests
Upholding watersheds’ rights to flow, to be pollution-free, and to restoration.
-
Wildlife & Biodiversity
In Nature, everything is interconnected. Nature’s rights and animal rights are part of a whole.
-
Humans & Nature
We are part of the ecosystems we inhabit and influence.
-
Ocean & Coast
Advancing Ocean rights and health through international collaboration and advocacy.
Join us in creating a future in which humans and Nature flourish together.
Despite decades of environmental legislation, Earth’s health continues to decline. Because our current laws protect Nature only for the benefit of people and corporations, profit usually takes priority over Nature. Even when environmental issues are brought to court, people must prove that the environmental damage violates their own rights since the environment has no rights of its own.
Header Photo: Unsplash / Niklas Tidbury, Birds: Unsplash / Richard Lee, Rivers & Forest: Unsplash / Luca Bravo
Wildlife & Biodiversity: Unsplash / Aaron Burden, Humans & Nature: Unsplash / Cash Macanaya, Ocean & Coast: Ocean Image Bank / Toby Matthews,Footer: Unsplash / Steve Carter