Paper short abstract:

This presentation discusses the possible synergies between the Rights of Nature and posthumanist STS by exploring the concept of Ocean rights, which has been developed by Rights of Nature advocates, in relation to posthumanist theories on non-human agency in STS.

Paper long abstract:

Is there a possible exchange between posthumanist STS and the Rights of Nature that can reimagine the future of the ocean in the Anthropocene? The work to secure Ocean Rights, and the proposal of a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights (UDOR) is part of the work to secure rights for nature through Rights of Nature laws. As of spring 2024, Rights of Nature provisions and laws have been adopted in more than 20 countries. However, the implementation of Rights of Nature laws is challenging to legal systems and systems of governance that are deeply enmeshed in anthropocentric perspectives. Moreover, securing rights for the ocean requires novel ways of articulating rights of nature laws as the ocean spans beyond and across national jurisdiction. Theoretical and comparative analysis of Earth jurisprudence principles that draw on theories other than jurisprudential are necessary to realize the political and social representation of non-humans. Hence, this presentation considers theories in STS on how to distribute agency to non-humans and how to account for the representation of the non-humans in relation to Ocean rights /the Rights of Nature with the aim of contributing to both fields. Approximately 25 min presentation.