Silvia Bagni - Böcker

This book examines the relationship between man and nature through different cultural approaches to encourage new environmental legislation as a means of fostering acceptance at a local level. In 2019, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) recognised that we have entered a new era, the Anthropocene, specifically characterised by the impact of one species, mankind, on environmental change. The Anthropocene is penetrating the discourse of both hard sciences and humanities and social sciences, by posing new epistemological as well as practical challenges to many disciplines. Legal sciences have so far been at the margins of this intellectual renewal, with few contributions on the central role that the notion of Anthropocene could play in forging a more effective and just environmental law. By applying a multidisciplinary approach and adopting a Law as Culture paradigm to the study of law, this book explores new paths of investigation and possible solutions to be applied. New perspectives for the constitutional framing of environmental policies, rights, and alternative methods for bottom-up participatory law-making and conflict resolution are investigated, showing that environmental justice is not just an option, but an objective within reach.The book will be essential reading for students, academics, and policymakers in the areas of law, environmental studies and anthropology.

This book examines the relationship between man and nature through different cultural approaches to encourage new environmental legislation as a means of fostering acceptance at a local level. In 2019, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) recognised that we have entered a new era, the Anthropocene, specifically characterised by the impact of one species, mankind, on environmental change. The Anthropocene is penetrating the discourse of both hard sciences and humanities and social sciences, by posing new epistemological as well as practical challenges to many disciplines. Legal sciences have so far been at the margins of this intellectual renewal, with few contributions on the central role that the notion of Anthropocene could play in forging a more effective and just environmental law. By applying a multidisciplinary approach and adopting a Law as Culture paradigm to the study of law, this book explores new paths of investigation and possible solutions to be applied. New perspectives for the constitutional framing of environmental policies, rights, and alternative methods for bottom-up participatory law-making and conflict resolution are investigated, showing that environmental justice is not just an option, but an objective within reach.The book will be essential reading for students, academics, and policymakers in the areas of law, environmental studies and anthropology.

This book argues that, beyond the apparent fracture between humans and Nature that defines the Anthropocene crisis, there exists a shared cultural foundation in legal traditions, converging on the recognition of the intrinsic value of Nature and of the ecosystem interconnections between human and non-human life. The legal innovations explored here—particularly from Latin America— embody a holistic, integrated view coherent with the ecosystem approach. It is proposed that these ideas offer potential not only within their own legal systems but also as models for Western legal frameworks. Divided into five parts, the book maintains a balance between theoretical and empirical, combining foundational legal and philosophical discussions with practical case studies and applications. Part I establishes the theoretical foundation, setting the conceptual framework of the volume. Part II builds on this by addressing the methodological implications and laying the groundwork for a transition from anthropocentric to ecocentric governance. The third and fourth parts bridge theory with practice, exploring participatory tools, bottom-up initiatives, and challenges to traditional environmental law, illustrating how theoretical advancements are applied in specific legal and policy contexts. The fifth part focuses on jurisprudence and the role of the judiciary, providing an empirical analysis of how legal principles are interpreted and enforced in judicial settings. This progression ensures that the book effectively integrates theory with empirical research, underscoring its interdisciplinary and practical significance. The volume will be of interest to those working in the areas of Legal Philosophy, Environmental Law, Constitutional Law, Comparative Law, Human Rights, Anthropology and Environmental Studies.