The Rights of Nature between Theory and Activism - Alex Putzer

Public Lecture with Alex Putzer, UNESCO Chair Fellow 2023 at the Center for Advanced Studies of Eurac Research

Abstract:
The rights of nature are a new way to protect rivers, mountains, and ecosystems. Instead of defining nature as a resource that can be exploited and destroyed, nature becomes a subject, with a value independent of human interests. A river, for instance, is protected for its own sake, rather than its usefulness for fishing, generating electricity, or as a waterway. As of early 2023, there were over 420 legal rights of nature initiatives in over 40 countries across all continents. In this lecture, I will share my research on the movement, present selected success stories, and show some strategies on how to implement the idea within the South Tyrolean context.