Last year, Everett, Washington, enacted a groundbreaking law recognizing the rights of the Snohomish River watershed. This measure grants the river rights to exist, regenerate, and flourish. It emphasizes a legal relationship that prioritizes ecosystems over mere resources. While some 'rights of nature' laws in the U.S. have faced legal challenges, supporters believe this initiative is designed to withstand opposition. The law aims to allow residents to protect the river, moving towards a more reciprocal relationship between humans and nature, inspired by Indigenous philosophies.
"These ecosystems have inherent rights. We are just acknowledging them by giving them legal standing in a court of law," said Abi Ludwig, co-founder of Standing for Washington, a political action committee that supported the initiative.
"Even though it's this emergent strategy, I think people are ready to embrace something new, and to try something new," she added.
In order to sue over harm to a river or a species, a plaintiff must prove that they've been personally injured by the decline of that river or species.
Rights of nature laws eliminate this requirement by giving legal standing to nonhuman entities.
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