Book contents
- Representations and Rights of the Environment
- Series page
- Representations and Rights of the Environment
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 An Introduction
- Part I Challenges
- Part II Recollection
- Part III Perspectives
- 10 Rights of Nature, a New Perspective in Law
- 11 Property for Nature
- 12 Reimagining the Common Law
- 13 Democratic Representation, Environmental Justice and Future People
- 14 The Normative and Social Dimensions of the Transition towards a Responsible, Circular Bio-Based Economy
- 15 New Perspectives on Guardianship of Nature
- Index
- References
15 - New Perspectives on Guardianship of Nature
Three Traditions of the Global South
from Part III - Perspectives
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 March 2023
Book contents
- Representations and Rights of the Environment
- Series page
- Representations and Rights of the Environment
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- 1 An Introduction
- Part I Challenges
- Part II Recollection
- Part III Perspectives
- 10 Rights of Nature, a New Perspective in Law
- 11 Property for Nature
- 12 Reimagining the Common Law
- 13 Democratic Representation, Environmental Justice and Future People
- 14 The Normative and Social Dimensions of the Transition towards a Responsible, Circular Bio-Based Economy
- 15 New Perspectives on Guardianship of Nature
- Index
- References
Summary
This chapter looks at guardianship of nature in three traditions of the Global South: from Latin American Buen Vivir (Good Living) derived from Native American traditions to Asian Buddhism in gross national happiness (GNH), and African ubuntu (collective) thought. Buen Vivir and Mother Earth as chief principle of the law, in the Ecuadorian constitution and policies, lead to rights of nature and a modest biocentric jurisprudence. Buddhist Happiness functions as chief principle of the law in the Bhutanese Constitution, with as yet no jurisprudence. This includes guardianship of nature as constitutional duty, whereby citizens can seek redress in court if the state neglects this duty. The rights of future generations in the South African Constitution, are part of the ‘people’ concept in Ubuntu, in which ‘mutual aid’ (in the community of life) functions as chief principle of the law. GNH and ubuntu are in between bio and anthropocentric with the potential of giving rights to nature.
Keywords
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Representations and Rights of the Environment , pp. 353 - 382Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023
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