Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This article analyzes the similarities and differences among environmental law, animal law, and the rights of nature. It begins by characterizing environmental law as a disruptive branch that encourages humans to reconsider their relationship with the natural environment and its components while raising awareness of the importance of respecting nonhuman animals. Although animal law is well-established worldwide and maintains a peaceful relationship with environmental law due to their differing objectives, theories of the rights of nature primarily originate from South America and indigenous peoples. These theories threaten to disrupt the limited progress that environmental law has achieved in its 50-year history. This is because the Rights of Nature do not balance people's interests and needs with environmental protection; they always prioritize the interests of nature over those of people.
DOI: 10.36151/dalps.108
Author: Carla Amado Gomes
Institution: University of Lisbon
Language: English
Topic: Environmental law and policy
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7165809885