Can nature have rights, in the same way that humans, organisations, and companies can?
Many people across the world think so – in the last decade around 30 countries have passed “rights of nature” laws, which hold that nature as a subject of law, rather than an object to be owned by human beings. Now the rights of nature have come to the UK!
Join Barbican Theatre for a free two-part event to discuss this topic. This event is part of a series running across the UK, generously supported by the Royal Institute of Philosophy.
Philosophical nature walk – Plymouth Hoe (15:00–17:30)
The first part event will be a philosophical nature walk starting at Smeaton's Tower on Plymouth Hoe, when the greener side of the city of Plymouth, led by foraging guide Alex Latham, founder of Thrive Bushcraft, will be explored. A range of philosophical and political topics will be discussed, with the conversation being guided by two philosophers working on nature’s rights (Neil W Williams) and animal rights (Mara-Daria Cojocaru). Topics might include: what it might mean for nature to have rights; what rights humans and animals have to a clean environment; and how recognising rights might change our urban environments for the better.
The first part event will be a philosophical nature walk starting at Smeaton's Tower on Plymouth Hoe, when the greener side of the city of Plymouth, led by foraging guide Alex Latham, founder of Thrive Bushcraft, will be explored. A range of philosophical and political topics will be discussed, with the conversation being guided by two philosophers working on nature’s rights (Neil W Williams) and animal rights (Mara-Daria Cojocaru). Topics might include: what it might mean for nature to have rights; what rights humans and animals have to a clean environment; and how recognising rights might change our urban environments for the better.
Documentary film screening – Barbican Theatre (17:00–20:30)
The screening of a documentary about the global rights of nature movement, exploring how nature’s rights are being recognised in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, New Zealand, India, the USA and Spain will be followed by a Q&A with leading experts in rights and environmental philosophy, to discuss the themes of the film with the audience.
The screening of a documentary about the global rights of nature movement, exploring how nature’s rights are being recognised in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, New Zealand, India, the USA and Spain will be followed by a Q&A with leading experts in rights and environmental philosophy, to discuss the themes of the film with the audience.
