FREQUENTLY ASKED

Rights of Nature is a legal and ethical framework that recognizes ecosystems and species as holders of intrinsic rights. These rights include the right to exist, to regenerate, to maintain vital cycles, to be restored, and to be represented legally. It shifts society from treating Nature as a resource to recognizing Nature as a living community that humans are part of and accountable to.

Traditional laws mainly regulate how humans use or impact Nature. Rights of Nature recognizes Nature itself as a subject of rights and provides legal standing to ecosystems and species. That means harm can be pursued as a violation of Nature’s rights, not only a breach of human-centred rules. Instead of limiting how much humans can destroy Nature, the Rights of Nature asserts that Nature has the right now to be exploited.

Current laws often prioritize corporations or short-term economic gain over ecosystems. Recognizing Nature’s rights ensures long-term protection for life on Earth and the communities that depend on it. Recognizing Nature’s rights can create a cascading systems effect across government, business, and communities, aligning decisions with ecological reality so society can find harmony with Nature.

Yes. Legal systems already recognize rights for non-human entities such as corporations and trusts. Extending rights to ecosystems follows the same logic and reflects what science shows us: these systems are alive, interconnected, and essential. Rights give representatives the ability to stand in court for Nature, as Nature cannot speak for herself.

Many Indigenous communities have long recognized the interconnected rights of rivers, forests, and other ecosystems as “understood law,” the recognition that humans and Nature are part of one interconnected whole. Rights of Nature builds on this worldview by helping translate it into Western legal systems. At For Nature, we work in partnership with Indigenous leaders and communities to ensure protections reflect culture, place, and stewardship.

Healthy ecosystems support healthy communities and economies, providing clean water, air, food security, climate regulation, biodiversity and cultural wellbeing. Protecting Nature’s rights safeguards the systems that sustain all life, including our own.

Depending on the law, individuals, communities, or organizations can bring cases on behalf of Nature. For Nature helps strengthen these pathways by connecting people with the knowledge and tools needed to defend ecosystems at every level of governance.

Rights of Nature has gained momentum, with laws and inspiring initiatives enacted across about 40 countries and territories, including Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Spain, the United States, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Brazil, Germany, and Colombia.

Yes. Since Panama adopted its Rights of Nature law, it has already been invoked across the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Examples include the Air & Navy Service creating an Environmental Committee, the first national recognition of sea turtles as a rights-bearing species, Supreme Court rulings that closed a copper mine citing Nature’s intrinsic value and halted a major highway through a wildlife corridor citing the precautionary principle, and the passage of the Sagoba Wildlife Refuge proposal grounded in sea-turtle science and citing Nature as a subject of rights.. 👉 See Panama case details

Science provides the evidence needed to demonstrate the health of ecosystems, the threats they face, and the consequences of human activity. This data helps make a strong case for why legal protections are needed. For Nature connects scientists and communities to ensure that data is used strategically to defend ecosystems at national and international levels.

Storytelling helps people understand and connect with the Rights of Nature on an emotional level. Scientific data shows us what is happening, but stories help us imagine a different future and build the urgency for change. Through films, media, and community voices, For Nature uses storytelling to inspire action and make Nature’s rights part of global conversations.

You can support local and global initiatives, join advocacy campaigns, or help amplify awareness by sharing stories about the Rights of Nature. Donating to organizations like For Nature helps us fund science, education, and storytelling projects that defend ecosystems worldwide. Most importantly, anyone can become a voice for Nature in their community.