How Environmental Laws Are Shifting the Focus From Humans to Nature

Early spring, Brice Canyon, Utah. Photo: Jeffrey St. Clair.

The need to protect populations from environmental harm or contamination is not new. Whenever human welfare was imperiled, those in power within most ancient civilizations passed laws to address these issues.

History is replete with examples of this. For instance, there is evidence of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000–1300 BCE) adapting to climate change, and early imperial China enacting protective laws, showing they...