VIEWPOINTS

Earth jurisprudence promotes legal thinking and practice that extend ethical and legal consideration to all components of the natural world. Earth jurisprudence is rooted in recognizing humanity’s integral relationship with the natural world, preparing and motivating lawyers, policy makers and others to think about possible solutions to global and local ecological challenges and to act upon them. Through a variety of readings, publications and other resources that contribute to this emerging field of law and cultural shift, you are invited to explore how law and governance can be adjusted to meet human needs while protecting the needs of nonhuman inhabitants of the planet and respecting the requirements and the limits of nature itself.

As a way of grounding oneself and of developing a sense of one’s place in the web of life, the Center for Earth Jurisprudence encourages individuals to cultivate a relationship with nature. A genuine appreciation of the various members of the Earth community and their complex interconnections are a stimulus to creativity and to formulating imaginative and relevant approaches to law and governance. Contact local environmental and nature organizations, read about your bioregion, and – most importantly – get out into the natural world and observe nature’s magic directly. Find the area you most want to protect and take responsibility for its future viability.