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A legal precedent? Schumacher College hosts the debate
DID GREENPEACE’S RECENT ACQUITTAL SET A LEGAL PRECEDENT IN EARTH JURISPRUDENCE?
Earth Jurisprudence: Making the law work for nature 22 – 26 September
Schumacher College, at Dartington is welcoming five legal experts on the growing and topical legal specialism of Earth Jurisprudence or wild law, to consider how the legal system and other forms of governance may be harnessed to protect the natural world and to learn from real examples while exploring the philosophy and theory underpinning this exciting and evolving area of law. The course is timely, given events of the past week involving the court case between Greenpeace activists and energy giant E.ON.
On 10th September 2008 at Maidstone Crown Court a ruling was given which favoured the planet and the natural world including humankind. Six Greenpeace activists were cleared of causing around £35,000 worth of damage to a coal-fired power station. Their defence argument was that their occupation of the power station prevented property damage (caused by climate change). This is a pioneering case in which preventing such property damage has been used as part of a “lawful excuse” in legal defence.
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This strategic approach of presenting the public interest over economic matters leads us to consider other creative questions and wider goals. As a result of this ruling, environmental activism and the legal “rights” of the planet is likely to move higher up the UK’s political agenda. Do governing bodies around the world need to take another look at their energy plans and other economic strategies, and do they risk legal challenge by environmental activists? What are the potential political, environmental and social consequences of legal decisions? In what other areas are such issues of protection and governance meeting in this way? How can we expand such opportunities to incorporate other challenges in advocating for the rights of species and planet?
If you have a professional or personal interest in questions like this, this course will help to enrich your understanding of the legal complexities that characterise Earth Jurisprudence. We have just three places left. To find out full details about the course content and Schumacher College click here.
We look forward to hosting a very stimulating week with our distinguished visiting teachers, course facilitator and course participants – perhaps you. If you would like any further information please feel free to contact me.
With thanks and regards
Anna Lodge
a.lodge@schumachercollege.org.uk
For course details and to book one of the few remaining places: Earth Jurisprudence: Making the law work for nature
Schumacher College is part of the Dartington Hall Trust, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and as a charity (company no. 1485560, charity no. 279756). Registered office: The Elmhirst Centre, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EL, UK.