CLIMATE WEEK 2025
impact & highlights
Thank you to everyone who joined Earth Law Center for Climate Week NYC 2025.
Over the course of three days, Earth Law Center gathered voices from across the world including legal scholars, students, artists, activists, ecologists, community members, and long-time advocates for Nature’s rights.
Climate Week 2025 brought ecocentric law to life through a dynamic mix of events—from a multi-session summit at Fordham Law School on the NY Green Amendment and urban Rights of Nature to a packed performance of The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity and an intimate walking tour exploring the soon-to-be daylighting of Tibbetts Brook in the Bronx. These moments sparked new collaborations, energized our community, and strengthened the movement towards giving Nature a voice in the legal system.
The Living City: An Urban Ecocentric Law Summit
ELC presented at Fordham Law School for a dynamic series exploring the rising influence of the Rights of Nature and Earth law movements in New York and beyond. This three-part program covered the Green Amendment and Earth Law in New York State, offered an introduction to Earth Law principles, and examined urban ecocentrism through law and culture. Attendees deepened their understanding of how communities are advancing legal protections for the Earth.
The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity
Earth Law Center, with Jack & Grace Productions, premiered the stage showing of Anyson Laytner’s new version of an ancient fable in which animals take humans to court for their poor treatment. This innovative performance highlighted the work of Earth Law Center and the broader Rights of Nature movement, advocating for the legal recognition of animals’ and Nature’s rights.
Following the performance was an interfaith panel with voices from Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, exploring what faith traditions say about our responsibility toward animals and the planet.
Join “The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity”—The Play
Following the 2024 premiere in New York City, we are working with communities across the world to host your own version of the play version of The Animals' Lawsuit Against Humanity, bringing this incredible event to your community! This is your chance to showcase this 1,000-year-old Earth law fable, now in theatrical form. Learn more!
Special Thanks
CAF for sponsoring The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity
Jack & Grace Productions for producing The Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity
Fordham Law School for the generous donation of event space on Tuesday, September, 23
Script writer and author, Anson Laytner for making the Animals’ Lawsuit Against Humanity possible
Žarko Kuvalja for the ELC x Climate Week NYC Illustrations