2024 Earth Law Summer Course
Scholarships available!
It’s time to align our laws with Nature’s laws.
Join a passionate global community elevating Earth Law to new heights.
Gain insight from Earth lawyers and ecocentric experts. Connect with a diverse network of Earth advocates dedicated to making a real difference on a global scale. Take action today and be a catalyst for positive change in the legal landscape.
The Course
The course is 24 modules, completely virtual, and will be based on our book: Earth Law: Emerging Ecocentric Law - A Guide for Practitioners.
Our carefully curated selection of reading and viewing materials is designed to make the complexities of legal jargon more accessible and engaging for all participants. Dive into captivating narratives, visual aids, and real-world case studies that not only demystify legal concepts but also showcase the profound impact Earth Law has on our daily lives. Whether you're a seasoned legal professional or a newcomer, our resources will enrich your understanding, spark thought-provoking discussions, and empower you to champion environmental justice with newfound clarity and confidence.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
Develop an understanding of why Earth Law has emerged in response to the failures of modern environmental law and the need for a new approach to tackle current environmental challenges.
Identify key challenges in establishing a new ecocentric social contract and propose creative solutions that incorporate ethical considerations, values, and the rights of Nature.
Evaluate legal strategies in emerging cases from around the world that demonstrate the effectiveness of Earth Law principles in addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainability.
Explore the growing areas of ecocentric governance and integrative lawyering as practical approaches to address complex environmental problems through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Envision the future of Earth Law education and practice, including career opportunities and strategies for integrating Earth Law principles into legal education and professional practice for a sustainable future.
Note about reading law: Whether constitutional, statutory, case law or in other forms, reading law is challenging even for those trained in the discipline. There is no need to fight one’s way through it. Although the coursebook includes cases, statutes and constitutional law, the sections surrounding the source material synthesize and contemporize the legal texts.
Earth Law Community and Affinity Groups: Upon registration, participants will be given access to an Earth law online community and will be assigned to one of the geographic affinity groups - India, Africa, LatAm, U.S. and Canada, EU and UK. Participants will have the opportunity to change groups or opt out and to create subject matter affinity groups. These fora will provide the opportunity to engage on matters developed in the class as well as matters participants may introduce. ELC will provide facilitators to engage and manage the interaction.
Earth Law Summer Course Details
Modules & Weekly Schedule
June 3 - The Emergence of Earth law - Overview, Origins and Elemental Concepts
Module 1: Earth Law, Earth's Law, Earth Laws, Earth's Laws
Tony Zelle, Herman Greene, Rachelle Adam, and Grant WilsonModule 2: A Duck, a Rabbit, a Frog, and a Horse
Kim Wright, Pooja Sharma
June 5 - Threshold Obstacles to Emerging Earth law
Module 3: Property Law: The Ultimate Insult to Non-Human Nature
Zygmunt Plater, Tony Zelle, Zak Klein.Module 4: SCOTUS Decides what it Wants to Decide.
June 10 - Other than Human Beings have Interests and Responsibilities: Why Not Rights?
Module 5: Guardianship and Rivers
Grant Wilson, Felipe Clavijo Ospina, Somabha BandopadhayModule 6: Ecocentric Governance: The New Ecological Social Contract
Herman Greene, Bruce Jennings, Louis Herman, Alessandro Pelizzon
June 12 - Wielding Judicial Power to Protect Posterity: The Public Trust Doctrine and Rights of Future Generations
Module 7: The History and Reinvigoration of the Public Trust Doctrine
Mary Christina WoodModule 8: Rights of Future Generations and the Proliferation of Atmospheric Trust Litigation
Valentijn Punt
June 17 - Movement Lawyering to Recognize and Protect Rights of Nature
Module 9: Movement Lawyering in the U.S.
Dr. Missy Lahren, Elizabeth Dunne, Ted Hamilton, Noah SachsModule 10: Movement Lawyering outside the U.S.
Natalia Greene, Grant Wilson, Callie Veelenturf, Irikefe Dafe, Constanza Prieto Figelist Tauriq Jenkins
June 19 - Obstacles and Opportunities in Earth Law’s Development Internationally
Module 11: From Nature’s Perspective: A Critical Analysis of Sustainable Development and International Legal Frameworks
Rachelle AdamModule 12: Ecocide: A Genesis for Ecocentric International Law
Jojo MehtaModule 13: Human Rights and Rights of Nature: A Symbiotic Relationship
Rachelle Adam
June 24 - Human Relationships with Nonhuman Animals
Module 14: Nonhuman Animal Rights
Kevin Schneider Dr. Missy LahrenModule 15: Wild Law and Human Coexistence with Other Wild Animals
Cormac Cullinan, Reed Loder
June 26 - Protecting the Ocean Globally and Locally
Module 16: Recent International Developments in Ocean Protection Law
Rachel BustamanteModule 17: Regenerative Ocean Farming
Tara Pierce
July 1 - A Global Survey of Emerging Ecocentric Law
Module 18: The Development of Earth Law in Latin America
Grant Wilson, Leonardo Munhoz, J.Fernanda Sanchez Jaramillo Constanza Prieto FigelistModule 19: The Influence of Indigenous Legalities on Emerging Ecocentric Law
Dr. Kelsey Leonard
July 3 - Messaging and the Language of Emerging Ecocentric Law: What do the Words Mean?
Module 20: How Might We Communicate Better About Climate and Other Earth Systems Changes?
Module 21: Nature Conscious Governance: A New Approach to Give Nature a Voice and a Vote
Alexandra Pimor, Lucy Ward, Pooja Sharma
July 8 - The Emerging Arc of Earth Law
Module 22: ELC Staff discuss their Past Successes and Ongoing Projects
Module 23: Members of the 2021-2023 Earth Law Summer Course Cohorts share the impact of Earth law on their lives and work
July 10 - Envisioning the Future of Earth Law
Tony Zelle, Herman Greene, Rachelle Adam, Grant Wilson
FAQ’S
Is this for me?
This course is for anyone interested in the theory or practice of humans living in harmony with the rest of the Earth community.
How much does it cost?
The course costs $497. We also offer partial and full scholarships.
Do you have Scholarships?
Yes. We have 100 scholarships available.
Can I receive CLE Credits?
Yes. Click here to find information on how to apply for credit from your state bar licensing organization.
Can I receive credit from my college, university, or law school?
Yes, if your school offers credit for independent study, ELC will provide the information which typically has by schools who have given credit has been accepted.
Is the Coursebook included?
You will receive a limited-time digital version of the course. If you would like to purchase a hard copy of the book, you can do so here.
If you have more questions, please contact us at volunteer@earthlaw.org.
The Details
24 Modules {6 weeks}
Synchronous & asynchronous participation options
200 spaces available
Up to 100 scholarships
$497 for the entire course
Recordings available
Group registration is available for law firms and college students
Earth Law Community and Affinity Groups
Earth Office Hours - Networking, study, idea, and opportunity development facilitated by Earth Law Education Faculty one hour per week. Attendance is optional.
Alumni network integration following completion of the course.
Testimonials
Your passion and expertise shine through in every course session, making it a truly enlightening experience. Your ability to inspire us to think critically and consider the needs of both current and future generations is commendable.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this course and to learn from someone as knowledgeable and passionate as you. Thank you for sharing your insights and for equipping us with the tools to make a positive change in the world.
~Maisie Paddon Sussex, UK
Tony, you are such an amazing teacher and mentor! I'm so grateful to be part of the summer course. This course has ignited my passion for nature and also prompted me to think out of the box of common law jurisprudence. Thank you for all your efforts in paving the path and sharing your knowledge and hopes with the younger generations. I believe the Earth Law movement will expand worldwide across different jurisdictions and eventually bring a paradigm shift in the current legal system. Count on me for the next 50 years!
~ Benjamin Lee
You led a team of dedicated lovers of the Earth to effectively and efficiently deliver the Summer 2023 edition of the Earth Law Course. This is to appreciate your entire team of authors, speakers, coordinators, and all behind the scene.
While being personally energized, I saw an opportunity for collaboration across geographies for a better understanding and regard for nature and its systems. The task ahead is enormous but you have added us to the willing hands to turn global attention aright.
~ Anthony Abolarin