Christopher D. Stone

Christopher D. Stone was a legal scholar best known for advocating that natural entities like rivers, forests, and ecosystems should have legal rights akin to humans. He argued that recognizing these rights could help protect the environment more effectively by allowing communities and organizations to legally stand up for nature's interests. His ideas challenge traditional laws that see nature as property, promoting a worldview where the environment deserves moral and legal consideration. Stone’s work has influenced environmental law and the emerging field of environmental rights, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding natural systems for future generations.