Interview: Justicia Ecológica para la Tierra
Interview with Rodrigo Míguez Núñez, professor at the University of Piemonte Orientale (Italy); Valeria Berros, professor at the National University of the Litoral (Argentina); and Leticia Alburquerque, professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil). Presented and moderated by Pedro Lomas, FUHEM Ecosocial.
Abstract
A new approach to human-nature relationships is urgently needed. Ecological justice emphasizes equity with the environment, future generations, and other species. This session of the Debates for Inclusive Thinking explores key elements underlying the emergence of a new justice paradigm focused on the rights of nature. The socio-ecological crisis challenges how we interact with nature, particularly regarding its appropriation and associated impacts. Historically, environmental law and justice have treated nature as an object of human relationships rather than a subject with its own interests. This approach is increasingly questioned and deemed insufficient.
The emergence of ecological justice highlights the intrinsic values of nature, recognizing it as a rights-bearing subject with interests that require representation and defense, akin to those of humans. This shift moves beyond the limitations of anthropocentrism, driving significant developments in legal frameworks. Notable examples include the constitutional recognition of nature’s rights in Ecuador (2008) and Bolivia (2009), the failed draft constitution in Chile, and numerous constitutional court rulings worldwide. These examples reflect a growing momentum to transcend traditional human-centric perspectives and establish new, inclusive principles in the human-nature relationship.
