In 2013, Earth Law Center (ELC) helped Santa Monica become the first West Coast city to pass a Sustainability Rights Ordinance which recognizes that “natural communities and ecosystems possess fundamental and inalienable rights to exist and flourish.” The City’s Sustainability Plan sets out specific actions and goals consistent with the Ordinance. In the United States, over 40 cities and towns have passed laws recognizing nature’s rights and, oftentimes, the related human right to a healthy environment.

This effort will build from and contribute to the growing movement to establish legal rights for nature worldwide, as opposed to treating nature as mere “property” for human consumption. Ecuador and Bolivia already recognize rights of nature, along with many cities and towns including Mexico City and over three dozen in the US.