Ecuador is the first country to recognize Rights of Nature in its Constitution. A great first step for humanity towards a change of paradigm!

Ecuador rewrote its Constitution in 2007-2008 and it was ratified by referendum by the people of Ecuador in September 2008.

The new Ecuadorian Constitution includes a Chapter: Rights for Nature. Rather than treating nature as property under the law, Rights for Nature articles acknowledge that nature in all its life forms has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles. And we – the people – have the legal authority to enforce these rights on behalf of ecosystems. The ecosystem itself can be named as the defendant.

Learn about this amazing recognition, its experience and share it with the world!

Rights for Nature Articles in Ecuador’s Constitution

Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador (English)

Articles that positively influenced the Constitutional debate:

La naturaleza no es muda, Eduardo Galeano

If Nature Had Rights, Cormac Cullinan also listen to the audio If Nature Had Rights read by Cormac Cullinan

The Implementation of Rights for Nature, Thomas Linzey 08

Cormac Cullinan, Memo constitutional nature rights in Ecuador

Read and learn about the political advocacy process towards this recognition:

Recogniting Rights for Nature in the Ecuadorian Constitution, Fundacion Pachamama

Reconocimiento de los Derechos de la Naturaleza Ecuador, Fundacion Pachamama

Comunicado oficial, Fundación Pachamama

Articles written to celebrate the recognition and deepen the understanding of these new rights granted in the Ecuadorian Constitution:

Derechos de la Pachamama, Mario Melo

La natureleza como sujeto de derechos símbolo o realidad jurídica, Ricardo Crespo

Los derechos de la naturaleza en la Constitución ecuatoriana, Mario Melo

El derecho de la naturaleza, Ramiro Avila

El Sujeto Naturaleza, Diana Murcia

CODIFICACION DE LA DOCTRINA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LOS DERECHOS DE LA NATURALEZA, DPE

Hacia la Declaración Universal de los Derechos de la Naturaleza, Alberto Acosta

De Montecristi a Cochabamba, Mario Melo

Buen Vivir y Naturaleza, Mario Melo (See English)

Good Living and Nature by Mario Melo (English)

Further efforts towards the effective implementation of Rights of Nature in Ecuador:

Rights of Nature Draft Secondary Legislation, Ecuador

Borrador de Propuesta de ley de derechos de la naturaleza, Ecuador

Demanda por los derechos del mar contra BP

Rights of Nature power point presentations:

Presentacion Derechos Naturaleza Carlos Larrea

Rights of Nature Ecuador, Natalia Greene’s Presentation Cancun