Rights of Nature Consultants

What if nature has rights, just like you and me or a company? Nature is often stille seen as property of humans. An owner who is free to decide what to do with it. The long term interests of the natural area itself are often insufficiently taken into account in decisions that affect its well-being. As a result, nature most of the time loses out against short term human (economic) interests. Rights of Nature is part of a growing global view that humans are party of and critically connected to all onteer life and fellow nature on this planet and thus are equal in dignity and rights. Interests should therefore be balanced with each other. We already see this reflected in many indigenous cultures. As humans we must live together and in harmony with nature; we are not in charge, but part of it. Nature, e.g. an ecosystem, like people has the right to life, to recover, to regenerate and to flourish. Rights of nature argues for the recognition of those rights. By having their own rights, the interests of nature are taken into account more directly in decision-making that concerns nature and there is less damage to nature. In other words, more nature-inclusive decision-making. In the most extreme cases, the interests of nature can even be represented in court. Rights for nature can be implemented in many ways, for instance by granting legal personhood to a natural area, with human guardians representing its interests. In New Zealand, Canada, Ecuador and Colombia, among others, this has already been done: natural areas now act in society as independent legal entities. In New Zealand, for example, Whanganui River rights are represented by a body that includes both Maori representatives and the government. Initiatives are growing, in Europe - where we are based - and all over our amazing planet. And we, independent experts who cooperate via Rights of Nature Consultants, are here to assist you in your steps towards the recognition of Rights of Nature.