Are you ready to embark on a journey that redefines our relationship with the natural world? Welcome to Conversations with Mother Nature, where each episode invites you to dive deep into the transformative and inspiring world of the Rights of Nature.
The Rights of Nature movement is more than just a legal concept; it’s a global call to recognize that ecosystems—rivers, forests, mountains, and all living beings—have inherent rights. These rights are not just abstract ideas; they are being put into practice in communities and tribunals worldwide, challenging the status quo and offering new pathways for ecological justice.
Through Conversations with Mother Nature, you’ll meet the pioneers, visionaries, and grassroots leaders who are driving this movement forward. Each episode is a unique opportunity to learn from their experiences, understand the challenges they face, and gain insight into the groundbreaking work being done, all around the world.
We invite you to listen, reflect, and become part of this global conversation. Whether it’s the story of a saltwater lagoon in Spain fighting for its survival or the Indigenous wisdom that sees rivers as living beings, each episode will open your eyes to the profound and essential shift that the Rights of Nature represents.
Flowing conversations
Episode length
Periodicity
Two-year journey
Whether you’re a dedicated advocate or simply curious to learn more, these episodes will keep you informed, inspired, and connected to this growing global movement!
We explore a key moment in environmental history: Ecuador, the country that made the difference.
Join us as we talk with leading experts and activists who participated in the historic milestone in which Ecuador became the first country in the world to enshrine the Rights of Nature in its Constitution. Economist Alberto Acosta, biologist and lawyer Esperanza Martínez, and environmental activist Natalia Greene explore how Ecuador was the forerunner of this legal and ethical vision that recognizes the inherent rights of Mother Earth, and how this has influenced the protection and preservation of its natural environments.
In addition, we will learn about the keys to two crucial public consultation campaigns in Ecuador: “Quito without mining” and “Yes to Yasuní”, courageous efforts to protect Nature from mining exploitation.
Download the transcript in English and Spanish.
Ecuador’s 2008 Constitutional Recognition of the Rights of Nature
Ecuador became the first country in the world to recognize the Rights of Nature in its Constitution, granting ecosystems legal standing. This milestone was heavily influenced by Indigenous worldviews and environmental advocacy.
Chevron-Texaco Case (“The Trial of the Century”)
A landmark legal battle against Chevron-Texaco for environmental devastation in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Indigenous communities and activists sought justice for one of the world’s worst oil-related environmental disasters.
Yasuní-ITT Initiative & 2023 Referendum
A global campaign initially aimed at leaving oil reserves untapped beneath Yasuní National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Ecuador’s 2023 referendum allowed citizens to vote on stopping oil extraction in Block 43.
Bosque Protector Los Cedros Case
A historic Ecuadorian Constitutional Court ruling recognizing the Rights of Nature and stopping mining in Los Cedros cloud forest, setting a precedent for conservation.
Piatúa River Case
A legal victory in Ecuador where Indigenous communities defended the Piatúa River against a hydroelectric project, citing the Rights of Nature.
Estrellita Case (Animal Rights Precedent in Ecuador)
The Ecuadorian Constitutional Court ruled that animals are subjects of rights under the Rights of Nature framework, extending legal protections to wildlife.
Río Dulcepamba Case
A legal battle over water rights in Ecuador, where communities used the Rights of Nature framework to challenge corporate water extraction.
The Atrato River Case (Colombia)
A Colombian court granted legal rights to the Atrato River, inspiring Rights of Nature cases worldwide, including in Ecuador.
Eduardo Galeano’s “Nature is Not Mute”
Referenced in the episode, Galeano’s work critiques environmental destruction and capitalism’s impact on Nature.
We discuss the Rights of Nature, a movement that recognizes ecosystems—including trees, oceans, animals, and mountains—as having inherent rights.
In this introductory episode, we discuss the Rights of Nature, a movement that recognizes ecosystems—including trees, oceans, animals, and mountains—as having inherent rights. Natalia Greene, a member of GARN’s Executive Committee, and Marie Toussaint, a French Member of the European Parliament, share the origins, evolution, and future prospects of this transformative global initiative.
Download the transcript in English and Spanish.
“Should Trees Have Standing?” by Christopher Stone
This seminal work by Christopher Stone, first published in 1972, argues for extending legal rights to natural objects like trees, rivers, and ecosystems. It is one of the foundational texts in the Rights of Nature movement.
Notre Affaire à Tous
This French NGO, founded by Marie Toussaint, focuses on climate justice. It led L’Affaire du Siècle, a groundbreaking case that held the French government accountable for its inaction on climate change.
Philippe Descola’s Work on Nature and Culture
Philippe Descola is a renowned anthropologist whose work challenges Western dualism by exploring how different cultures perceive and relate to Nature. His book Beyond Nature and Culture is widely acclaimed.
Mar Menor Lagoon Legal Case
This citizen-led initiative in Spain seeks to recognize legal rights for the Mar Menor lagoon, heavily polluted due to agricultural runoff. The Spanish Parliament is considering the proposal, marking a milestone for environmental protection in Europe.
Parliament of the Loire (France)
A creative project where artists and urban planners work to amplify the “voice” of the Loire River, advocating for its legal rights and sustainable management.
Embassy of the North Sea (Netherlands)
An experimental project in the Netherlands that seeks to give the North Sea a voice through creative representation, combining art, science, and policy.
Rights of Nature Cases in Ecuador (e.g., Los Cedros)
Landmark cases like the protection of Los Cedros cloud forest showcase Ecuador’s progressive legal recognition of Nature’s rights. The Constitutional Court halted mining activities to protect biodiversity.
Intergenerational Pact for the Life of the Colombian Amazon
A groundbreaking initiative that aligns legal rights for the Amazon with intergenerational responsibility, ensuring protection for future generations.
“We know that our planet is sick. We know that our planet needs to be changed and we need a new paradigm of how we relate to Nature. And all of these initiatives that are happening around the world, I see them as this sort of acupuncture where we’re healing the world with this transformation and this understanding that Nature is a subject of rights.”
Natalia Greene
“For me, the recognition of the Rights of Nature is based on three different pillars: The first one is to recognize and acknowledge the Rights of Nature, that Nature already has the right to flourish and not be polluted. The second is to establish a way to defend Nature in front of the courts, which Ecuador has but we are a long way to go in Europe. The third pillar is also defending Nature in court after it has been damaged, or when someone wants to damage it.”
Marie Toussaint
Useful links resources assets reads after listening
Learn everything about the Rights of Nature movement through its most frequently asked questions, with clear and concise answers to help you understand this growing global initiative.
Explore Rights of Nature 101.
Watch our 101 video.
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Discover the work of the International Rights of Nature Tribunal, where cases addressing ecological and social justice are presented and adjudicated based on Earth Jurisprudence principles.
Learn about the Tribunal.
Josefina Mösle
Creation, production & script
Juan Diego Valdivieso
Post-production & voice in Spanish
Lucy Gavaghan
Voice in English & script
Radha Jaramillo
Art & Illustration
