Rights of Nature

The Transnational Law Institute and the King’s Legal Clinic invite you to discuss the Legal Rights of Nature at the movies.

Featuring the short film Sentinels, written, and directed by Mark Knightley.

Followed by the launch of A Rights of Nature Toolkit: How to Protect Rivers in England and Wales by King’s College Legal Clinic.

This event welcomes students and academics from all disciplines with an interest in moving away from an anthropocentric approach to the law and the environment and considering the law from an earth justice perspective.

We start with a film about the Colombian Future Generations v Minister for the Environment case in which a group of young people successfully argued deforestation in the Amazon threatened their rights and those of future generations. In response to their action, the judge not only ordered a halt to the deforestation, but also declared that the Amazon rainforest was the subject of rights.

The King’s Legal Clinic students will then launch their toolkit for protecting rivers and their natural surroundings from a Rights of Nature perspective in England and Wales. It is designed to be used by both lawyers and those with some legal background, including paralegals, student legal clinics, communities, and activists.

Emily Barritt will chair a discussion about moving towards a Rights of Nature approach with activists and student speakers. The discussants will include Theo Thomas, London WATERKEEPER, who will talk about how they have worked strategically to protect rivers.

The panel will also include Harj Narulla, environmental law barrister, Doughty Street Chambers.

Schedule:

5-6.30pm film and discussion

6.30-8pm refreshments and informal chat.