The Case of Run Run and the Emergence of a Nature Centered Legal Framework

Increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events are already affecting the European continent, posing serious threats to both the well-being of its citizens and its economies. Droughts are becoming more common and more intense, leading to reduced agricultural yields and higher rates of tree mortality (Buras et al., 2020). Coupled with rising temperatures, these conditions have resulted in an increase in wildfires, particularly in countries such as Greece and Portugal (European Forest Fire Information System, 2024). These fires not only devastate forests and biodiversity, but they also endanger public health and safety (European Climate and Health Observatory, 2024). Wildfires generally also release vast amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, which exacerbates climate change and creates a dangerous feedback loop (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2016). While droughts and heatwaves are pressing issues, the opposite problem – excessive water – has be come a significant challenge as well, as flooding is the most frequent type of extreme weather event in Europe (CRED, 2021), with events like the 2021 floods in Germany and Belgium causing approximately 43 billion USD in damages. (Yale Climate Connections, 2022). The impact of these events could increasingly threaten Europe’s economic interests by destabilizing key industries, such as agriculture, tourism or health care, and damaging billions worth of properties and infrastructure as climate change progresses. (Ciscar et al., 2011) A study indicated that Germany alone might face economic costs of up to 920 billion Euros by 2050 because of climate change. (GWS et al., 2022). But more importantly, these events endanger basic survival, as they can undermine food and water security and create public health crises. As Europe struggles to adapt, the increasing costs and risks highlight the urgent need for more comprehensive and innovative legal protection for the environment. An innovative legal approach to better protect nature could be the concept of Rights of Nature (RoN). By granting natural entities “legal personhood” and therefore enabling them to have standing in court, it may become easier and more effective to protect the environment and climate from competing – often economic – interests. The following chapters will delve into the idea of awarding legal rights to natural entities within the European context, drawing inspiration from the story of “Run Run,” a fox in Peru that was granted subjective rights

Ecological Awareness and the Power of Law in Realizing the Rights of Nature

The current global scenario is marked by conflicts, inequalities, and geopolitical tensions, which have created a growing sense of global insecurity, combined with the stagnation of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the worsening of the climate emergency. This situation presents outcomes completely opposed to the promise of a better future, with greater prosperity and peace, which technological and scientific advances were supposed to bring to both people and the planet. These outcomes also demonstrate that we are wasting the opportunity to use technology, science, and global interconnectedness to achieve the aforementioned improvements (United Nations, 2024, Dec 22nd). The global community needs to find real solutions capable of changing the course we are setting for the future of the planet and humanity. In this regard, during the Summit of the Future, held in September 2024, world leaders made a series of commitments to sustainable development, financing for development, peace, international security, science, technology, innovation and digital cooperation, youth, future generations, and the transformation of global governance, establishing the “Pact for the Future” and its annexes: the “Global Digital Compact” and the “Declaration on Future Generations”, which aim to create international mechanisms to respond to current and future challenges and opportunities, striving for more security, justice, sustainability, and prosperity (United Nations, 2024, Sep). In face to this scenario, environmental protection has become one of the greatest challenges for the global community. To address this, we need to mobilize all the means and resources available across various fields of knowledge. Among the tools available for environmental protection, ecological awareness and the transformative power of legal systems stand out, as well as the influences these instruments can have on each other in a mutual and continuous manner

Reliability and validity of the German "Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) Scale" for allied health professionals

Introduction: The Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) Scale measures health professionals’ self-efficacy associated with evidence-based practice activities. The scale has been cross-culturally translated into German together with physical therapists. To support its use in German-speaking countries, the measurement properties of the scale need to be determined. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to assess the measurement properties of the German EPIC scale. In a preparatory step, we aimed to evaluate the comprehensibility of the scale among German-speaking occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and nurses. Methods: First, semi-structured cognitive interviews were used to evaluate the comprehensibility of the EPIC scale. Second, a longitudinal online survey with repeated measures (baseline and retest survey) was conducted. The target group included physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, and nurses from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Reliability, responsiveness, and validity were evaluated using internal consistency, test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, known-groups method, exploratory factor analysis and the minimal detectable change, respectively. Results: Comprehensibility of the German EPIC scale was confirmed by eleven health care professionals (four occupational therapists, two speech and language therapists, five nurses). The baseline and the retest surveys were completed by 708 and 222 participants, respectively. The measure demonstrated an internal consistency of .930, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability of .936 (95% CI: .917 to .951). The standard error of measurement was 4.92, and the minimal detectable change at the 95% confidence level was 6.02. All hypotheses in the known-groups method were confirmed, and construct validity was acceptable. Factor analysis revealed two main factors affecting the results of the scale. Conclusion: The findings provide evidence that supports the use of the German EPIC scale among health professionals. For instance, it can be used to evaluate self-efficacy during EBP training.Hintergrund: Die „Evidence-Based Practice Confidence Scale“ (EPIC-Skala) misst die Selbstwirksamkeit von Angehörigen der Gesundheitsberufe bei Aktivitäten der evidenzbasierten Praxis. Die englischsprachige Skala wurde 2019 ins Deutsche übersetzt und anschließend mit Physiotherapeut*innen interkulturell adaptiert. Jedoch kann die Skala im deutschsprachigen Raum bislang nicht verwendet werden, da noch keine Bestimmung der psychometrischen Gütekriterien durchgeführt wurde. Deshalb ist das primäre Ziel dieser Studie die Ermittlung der psychometrischen Gütekriterien der deutschen EPIC-Skala. In einem vorbereitenden Schritt sollte die Verständlichkeit der Skala bei deutschsprachigen Ergotherapeut*innen, Logopäd*innen und Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger*innen evaluiert werden. Methode: Zunächst wurde die Verständlichkeit der EPIC-Skala anhand von semistrukturierten kognitiven Interviews untersucht. In einem zweiten Schritt wurde eine Online-Umfrage im Längsschnittdesign durchgeführt, wobei zunächst eine Basiserhebung und anschließend eine Retest-Erhebung stattfand. Die Zielgruppe der Untersuchung bildeten Physiotherapeut*innen, Ergotherapeut*innen, Logopäd*innen und Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger*innen aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz. Die Reliabilität, Responsivität und Validität wurden anhand der internen Konsistenz, der Test-Retest-Reliabilität, des Standardmessfehlers, der Known-Groups-Methode, der explorativen Faktorenanalyse und der minimalen nachweisbaren Veränderung beurteilt. Ergebnisse: Die Verständlichkeit der deutschen EPIC-Skala wurde von elf Angehörigen der Gesundheitsberufe (vier Ergotherapeut*innen, zwei Logopäd*innen, fünf Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger*innen) bestätigt. Die Baseline- und Retest-Erhebungen wurden von 708 bzw. 222 Teilnehmenden abgeschlossen. Die Berechnungen zeigten eine interne Konsistenz von .930, mit einer Intraklassen-Korrelation für die Test-Retest-Reliabilität von .936 (95% CI: .917 - .951). Der Standardmessfehler betrug 4,92 und der minimale messbare Unterschied 6,02 (95%-Konfidenzintervall). Alle Hypothesen in der Known-Groups-Methode wurden bestätigt, sodass eine akzeptable Konstruktvalidität festgestellt wurde. Die Faktoranalyse ergab zwei Faktoren für die Skala. Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse unterstützen die Anwendung der deutschen Version der EPIC-Skala durch Angehörige der Gesundheitsfachberufe, insbesondere bei der Evaluation von Fortbildungen zur Vermittlung von Kompetenzen im evidenzbasierten Arbeiten

Legal Instruments to Protect the Environment outside of Rights of Nature

The debate on whether nature should have its own rights has been carried out for decades, ever since the concept was introduced by Stone (1972). The intention has remained the same: protect natural entities within our anthropocentric world by using our own weapons. Although preserving the environment has become an even more urgent matter with the progressing loss in biodiversity, at the same time, legal instruments for its protection have evolved as well. This raises the question of the necessity of Rights of Nature. Were all those legal tools enforced in an effective and timely manner, would our environment be sufficiently protected from human interferences? The current legal system, especially in European countries, is based on an anthropocentric view of the world. This grants natural entities protection only in their relation and worth to humans. Acknowledging nature’s inherent value might be a new innovative idea within western societies. However, it is a concept that has been practiced by indigenous peoples for a long time. Their ecocentric worldview has been eradicated from international and national law by colonialists (Guzmán, 2019). By introducing Rights of Nature in Europe, this ecocentric approach would be included in a legal system that is still based in a society in which anthropocentric views are deeply rooted. Despite the growing awareness of human effects on nature and the necessity to protect the planet as well as prevent further climate change, granting natural entities intrinsic rights would require a paradigm shift not only in European law systems but also in western societies (Peppoloni, 2024). Since rapid action is vital for preserving our environment, it is questionable whether enough time remains for such a fundamental transition. Using and enhancing existing tools within the current system might be more effective. Therefore, the following article will show legal instruments already in place. As they are partly still lacking in their execution, room for improvement will be demonstrated, which would finally enable them to together provide sufficient protection for European nature. Namely, these tools include the Precautionary Principle, Human Rights, Nature Conservation laws and the possibility of litigation on behalf of the environment. These assessments will be made from a European point of view. It should be noted that analysing legal tools within other parts of the world rooted in different cultures might lead to divergent results

Journal of International and Digital Communication: Sustainability Perspectives

This issue presents the contributions of the participants of the international DAAD Blended Mobility Project “Giving nature its own rights - ethical and legal perspectives and the influence on the realization of selected SDGs” which took place in wintersemester 2025 at Trier University of Applied Science, Environmental Campus Birkenfeld (UCB) under the guidance of Prof. Valeva and Prof. Nitschmann and in collaboration with the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and the University of Coimbra supported by Prof. Zegarra (PUCP) and Prof. Aragão (University of Coimbra). The DAAD funded project used the concept of global education to strengthen students' democratic competences and social participation and integrates intercultural dimensions into teaching. Its content is in the context of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and is linked to the curricular content of the studies “Non-Profit Management”, “Environmental Economics and Environmental Law” and “Sustainable Business and Technology” at the UCB. As part of the project, students and professors from Peru and Portugal visited the UCB for a workshop week in the winter semester 2024/25. Understanding and methods for interpreting the global agenda of the UN regarding the SDGs were developed within the framework of this ESD project. Students worked together in teams virtually and in person under the guidance of experts to critically evaluate existing anthropocentric systems and their imbalances and to develop strategies for overcoming the challenges of an ecocentered approach for the law and the system in general (institutions, companies, civil society). Ahead of the mobility phase and the technical content on the SDGs and diverse Rights of Nature (RoN) perspectives, language and culture were key themes in the two virtual kick-off events. This approach made it possible to raise transcultural and ecological awareness and thus paves the way for interdisciplinary knowledge building in teams. The intense mobility week started off with creating international mixed teams which were the work groups for the whole week. Input was given by experts within moderated panel discussions referring to different perspectives such as ethics and society and law and culture. The project focused on the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park as a natural entity and local example, serving as a starting point for case studies from selected countries to provide a broad basis for interpreting SDGs 13, 14, 15, and 16. Students were introduced to the biodiversity of the park by an expert ranger and used it as an experience-oriented and stimulating place to experience the intelligence of nature. To perform a well-prepared simulated parliament debate, four internationally composed teams were defined, whereby a particular real case study in the area of RoN was assigned to two teams. The preparation of the debate included the assignment of the debate’s roles to the team’s members and clarification of the functions of the given roles. The material preparation included research for and discussion about the relevant information, and the training of the argumentation scenarios. They prepared themselves or two possible scenarios: confirmation of the launching of RoN or rejection of it. The two case studies were defined as follows: 1. Grant legal rights to the Maranon River, demanding its protection as a rights-bearing entity, now! 2. Grant the status of a subject of rights to the little fox “Run Run”, now! The debate concept allowed the students to transfer their theoretic knowledge in practical skills and thus contributes to the learning outcome of defending democratic values by contributing actively in democratic processes. With the idea to perpetuate the outcome of the project this issue publishes the student works related to the final debate and is completed by professors’ perspectives. Content: CHAPTER 1 – Theoretical Impulses and Panel Discussions within the DAAD Rights of Nature Project 2024 (Report) Alexandra Aragão: Foundations for a theory of radical legal eco-innovation: the paradigm of Rights of Nature Milena Valeva: Panel Discussion on Democracy, Rights of Nature and Social Norm Dynamics Kathrin Nitschmann: Researching the problem: Would an Rights of Nature Concept be THE solution? Nina Giordano: The Te Awa Tupua Act: How Nature’s Legal Standing Strengthens Indigenous and Human Rights CHAPTER 2 – Part I – Case Study: Granting legal rights to the Maranon River as a rights-bearing entity Lynette Annau: Granting Rights to Naturals Objects: The Future of Environmental Protection or Cultural Mismatch? Jesus Bernal: Anthropocentrism – an Obstacle to the Protection of Nature Malika Arstan: Economic Advantages of Granting the Rights of Nature Claudia Rocio Crespo Chavez: Is Europe Ready to Embrace the Recognition of Nature’s Rights? CHAPTER 2 – Part II – Case Study: Granting legal rights to the Maranon River as a rights-bearing entity Ana Murhiel Diaz Aguilar: Going to the Court doesn’t ensure that the environment will be protected Lilly Roth: Legal Instruments to Protect the Environment outside of Rights of Nature Tobias Becker: Public Support and Challenges in Recognizing the Rights of Nature: A European Perspective Maria J. Paixão: Legal Fetishism in Times of Polycrisis CHAPTER 3 – Part I – Case Study: Granting a Status of a Subject of Rights to the Peruvian Little Fox “Run Run” Jamie Moser: The Case of Run Run and the Emergence of a Nature – Centered Legal Framework José Heleno P. Vanzeler: Ecological Awareness and the Power of Law in Realizing the Rights of Nature Roya Qazen: From the Rights of Man to the Social Contract for Geoethics toward the Rights of Nature Amanda Erin Regalado Romero: Foundations for the recognition of the Rights of Nature in the European Union CHAPTER 3 – Part II – Case Study: Granting a Status of a Subject of Rights to the Peruvian Little Fox “Run Run” Ronald Sebastián Yaipén Polo: The Rights of Nature: The Answer to a Poorly Framed Debate Maria Eduarda Terra e Zeitune: Economic Challenges and the Rights of Nature: A Conflict Between Sustainable Growth and Environmental Conservation Yannick Wagner: Culture matters – Why the Rights of Nature don't fit the European Unio

Going to the Court doesn’t ensure that the environment will be protected

Conclusion: In short, individuals play an essential role in monitoring the way in which State regulations are put into practice in relation to the protection of nature and, although civil society has proposed the recognition of RoNs, it cannot lose sight of the fact that the ideal and most effective mechanism to achieve this is through ex ante and ex post protection by the States and their respective Public Administration, for which a greater development of Administrative Law and the rate of compliance of its entities is required, which is directly related to the political will of the authorities, against which action can be taken. Finally, opting for the judicial route as the only mechanism for the protection of nature is insufficient; however, if this is used in conjunction with the demand to the Public Administration indicated in the previous point, better results can be obtained. For this, instead of creating new judicial processes or subjects of rights, it is recommended to use legal figures that already have a doctrinal and legal development that allow achieving the same objectives as quickly as possible in time, such as the jurisdictional protection of diffuse interests

Economic Advantages of Granting the Rights of Nature

As global environmental challenges intensify, the concept of granting rights to nature has gained attention not only as an ethical imperative, but as an economically viable solution. In economic terms, the ecosystem services provided by protected areas are worth several hundred billion dollars a year (McNeely, 2020). Recognizing nature's rights – particularly for critical natural resources such as rivers and other water ecosystems – may create the foundation for sustainable economic growth, resilience, and long-term prosperity. In Europe, the argument for legal rights for nature could find support in factors such as improved resource management, reduction of environmental degradation costs (Darpö, 2021), stimulation of green industries (European Economic and Social Committee et al., 2020), and alignment with the European Union’s commitment to environmental sustainability (European Economic and Social Committee et al., 2020), which will be elaborated in this paper

An Active Radar Interferometer Utilizing a Heterodyne Principle-Based Target Modulator

The Active Radar Interferometer (AcRaIn) represents a novel approach in secondary radar technology, aimed at environments with high reflective clutter, such as pipes and tunnels. This study introduces a compact design minimizing peripheral components and leveraging commercial semiconductor technologies operating in the 24 GHz ISM band. A heterodyne principle was adopted to enhance unambiguity and phase coherence without requiring synchronization or separate communication channels. Experimental validation involved free-space and pipe measurements, demonstrating functionality over distances up to 150 m. The radar system effectively reduced interference and achieved high precision in both straight and bent pipe scenarios, with deviations below 1.25% compared to manual measurements. By processing signals at intermediate frequencies, advantages such as improved efficiency, isolation, and system flexibility were achieved. Notably, the integration of amplitude modulation suppressed passive clutter, enabling clearer signal differentiation. Key challenges identified include optimizing signal processing and addressing logarithmic signal attenuation for better precision. These findings underscore AcRaIn’s potential for pipeline monitoring and similar applications

The Te Awa Tupua Act: How Nature’s Legal Standing Strengthens Indigenous and Human Rights

This chapter illustrates the interconnections between indigenous peoples’ rights, human rights, and environmental protection, highlighting their potential to reinforce each other within the context of the RoN. Through the case study of the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act 2017, the discussion examines the implementation of RoN in Aotearoa, New Zealand, its alignment with Māori legal and spiritual traditions, and the broader implications for the country’s environmental policy, justice frameworks, and decolonization efforts

Epistemological Implications of a System — Theoretical Understanding for Sustainability Models

In the sense of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global efforts to create a sustainable society will not be sufficiently successful under the current geopolitical and socio-economic trends. For this reason, recent sustainability research has increasingly focused on systemic coherence, the subject of cognition, and psychological and epistemological aspects. With regard to the sustainability discourse, this article proposes a perspective based on systems theory's findings in its enactivist interpretation. It understands this as a joint process of sense-making that must be actively maintained on an ongoing basis. Scientific knowledge and human experience are not described as mutually exclusive and informing spheres but as part of the world of experience actively spanned by the organism in its self-execution, which inherently involves ambiguities and complexity reductions that leave the subject and object undetermined. Such an understanding of systemic thinking should help to prevent the process of sustainable development itself from being called into question when some goals are inevitably missed