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Law in the Anthropocene Reading Group: Last week, ALPP Faculty Director and Professor Kristen Stilt concluded a reading group for first-year HLS students entitled “Law in the Anthropocene.” Reading groups for first-years provide new law students at HLS with an informal setting in which to meet other students with common interests and get to know a law professor as a potential mentor or advisor. Professor Stilt’s reading group examined the role of law in creating the Anthropocene. It explored complex and critical questions regarding the extent to which the law might help mitigate the effects of the Anthropocene, including mitigation approaches undertaken in the U.S. and abroad. It also included delicious vegan dinners.
In its final gathering, the group touched upon the Constitutional Court of Ecuador’s rights of nature decision in the case of Estrellita the monkey and the amicus brief that Professor Stilt and ALPP Rights of Nature Fellow Macarena Montes filed in the case along with the Nonhuman Rights Project. Group discussions concluded with an exploration of whether the rights of nature concept could take root in the U.S.
Reflecting on the reading group, Professor Stilt said: “I am really impressed with everyone’s thoughtfulness in the discussions and willingness to think openly about new ideas, try them out, and consider the role we can play as lawyers in reaching a better future for the planet and for animals of all kinds (including human animals!).”
Students in the group had similarly positive reflections, with HLS first-year Kyup Lee sharing that “This reading group exposed me to ideas that were completely new to me, such as the Rights of Nature. It made me push the boundaries of my thinking and consider what the future could look like in terms of our relationship with the environment and how the law could be used to shape it future. And I liked the dinners—they were a chance to get my vegetables for the day!” First-year Eric Krebs shared that “Professor Stilt’s reading group was a wonderful intellectual experience. It was both a challenging and hopeful look at how the limits and promises of law might hinder or empower humans, animals, and ecosystems alike.”
HLS first-year Abigail Baldauf wrote that “The Law in the Anthropocene Reading Group was a wonderful experience that allowed me to engage with important and difficult topics. While considering nature’s rights within the American legal system, we looked to several leading international cases as inspiration for advancing and expanding our current legal philosophies. Specifically, I really enjoyed learning firsthand about Professor Stilt’s work in Ecuador and the landmark animal rights win she helped achieve. I would also emphasize our group’s focus on discussing ways to make the concept of the ‘Anthropocene’ palatable to a wider audience, as gaining wider public interest is of the utmost importance. Animal and environmental rights are very near to my heart, and I hope to continue having these kinds of conversations by staying and becoming increasingly involved with the Animal Law & Policy Program here at HLS.”
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