BECOME
A GUARDIAN
We’re building the tools to help you take action.
Very soon, you’ll be able to connect with others,
defending the living world.
Very soon, you’ll be able to connect with others,
defending the living world.
MONTANA
Montana Kids
VS. The State of Montana
In June 2023, the first constitutional climate trial in the United States was initiated by 16 young plaintiffs. They argued that the state government violated their fundamental right to a clean and healthy environment by supporting the fossil fuel industry. On August 14, 2023, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, declaring parts of the Montana Environmental Policy Act unconstitutional. The decision was upheld by the Montana Supreme Court on December 18, 2024.
Panama
Panama's Sea Turtle Law
Passed in March 2023, this groundbreaking legislation grants legal rights to sea turtles and their habitats. Introduced by Congressman Gabriel Silva, the law aims to protect these iconic species from threats such as pollution and climate change. It includes measures to prevent accidental bycatch, regulate tourism, and establish a national committee for turtle conservation. This law strengthens marine ecosystem protections and positions Panama as a global leader in the Rights of Nature movement.
Spain
Mar Menor Lagoon
In October 2022, the Mar Menor became the first ecosystem in Europe to be granted legal personhood. Supported by Professor Eduardo Salazar, this law enhances the lagoon’s protection from agricultural pollution and allows citizens to legally defend its rights. After years of ecological degradation and ineffective legal safeguards, a citizen-led initiative in 2021 collected over 600,000 signatures in support of the lagoon’s rights. The resulting law affirms Mar Menor’s right to exist and be protected, empowering people to act on its behalf in court.
USA
Eva Lighthiser
At just 18 years old, Eva embodies the power of youth activism. She was one of the 16 teenage plaintiffs who made headlines in August 2023 by winning a landmark climate lawsuit against the state of Montana, USA. Their argument was simple yet profound—Montana’s support for the fossil fuel industry violated their constitutional right to a “clean and healthy environment.” This victory set a significant legal precedent in environmental law and highlighted the critical role of young voices in driving change.
PANAMA
Gabriel Silva
In his thirties, Gabriel served as a member of parliament in Panama. Together with marine biologist Callie Veelenturf, he introduced pioneering legislation to protect Panama’s sea turtles. The law includes habitat restoration, pollution prevention, and measures to combat severe environmental degradation. Gabriel’s story underscores the importance of translating ecological concerns into enforceable laws.
SPAIN
Eduardo Salazar
A Spanish legal scholar in his fifties, Eduardo never imagined that the Rights of Nature would become central to his career. As part of the team that fought for the Mar Menor lagoon to gain legal personhood, Eduardo helped achieve Europe’s first legal recognition of an ecosystem. His work has inspired a new generation of legal professionals to defend nature, showcasing the pivotal role of legal expertise in advancing environmental protection.
Galápagos
Dr. Natalie Schmitt
An Australian environmental biologist and conservation geneticist, Dr. Schmitt brings scientific rigor to the Rights of Nature movement. With experience studying humpback whales in Antarctica and sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, she combines her research with advocacy. Natalie’s scientific insights lend crucial credibility to the movement, grounding it in empirical evidence.