What everyone gets wrong about the rights of nature - Episode 19 (with Erin O'Donnell)

In this episode, Associate Professor Erin O'Donnell (U Melbourne) joins us as a guest co-host to chat with us about the perils, pitfalls, and promise of researching in the burgeoning field of rights of nature. We discuss the top methodological challenges inherent in doing research about the rights of nature and legal personhood, and provide our thoughts about how to do this sort of work ethically and in a way that contributes to the scholarly field, the community, and nature itself.As always, we round off with our updates about developments in environmental law including cases, legislation, and policy changes. Highlights include international pressure to implement the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change, climate litigation in Australia, and fisheries and conservation reforms and government interference with climate litigation in Aotearoa New Zealand.People, Place and Nature in Indigenous-Settler RelationsDoing research about relational water governance… relationally: Critical methodological reflections about legal research on river personhoodUN experts urge states to support General Assembly resolution operationalising ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate obligationsClimate Change in the High Court of AustraliaStatutory Consultation open: Environmental Offsets StandardRiver Thames in London gets first official bathing spot on Friday3rd Global Citizenship Education HubMissed opportunities in the Fisheries Amendment BillThe quiet but major shift slipped in among the conservation law reformsNew plans to encourage private investment in natureClimate law changes have 'clearly struck a nerve'Mercury NZ Ltd v Māori Land Court 2026-NZCA-91.pdf Ours Not Mines Limited v Hauraki District Council [2026] NZCA 138 Recommendations-for-ethical-engagement-of-IKS-within-the-IPCCWould you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note hereVisit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. You can also find us on the following platforms:LinkedIn - Liz & CristyBluesky - Liz & CristyOur websites - Liz & Cristy