Earth Law Center

Since 2008, ELC has worked to advance ecocentric (as opposed to human-focused) legal paradigms that uphold healthy, functioning ecosystems as their overarching goal. By contrast, the current legal systems in most countries treat natural systems as mere “resources” or “property” for incessant human consumption far beyond limits. Much of ELC’s work has taken the form of giving legal rights to nature, which seeks to recognize ecosystems as rights-bearing entities, just as humans and corporations have rights. However, we are increasingly focused on achieving broader legal and societal reform necessary to achieve an ecocentric society that lives in harmony with nature.