The Right of Nonuse [Paperback]

The Right of Nonuseprovides a fresh and remarkably different perspective on the real causes of the ills plaguing the world's resources and environment. It re-examines the very nature of nature, and from this new perspective, argues that what is needed is for humans to grant to natural resources a legal right to be left alone -aright of nonuse.In the process, it explores the following questions: Why do natural resources continue to be depleted and removed at an alarming rate? Why are species becoming extinct at a pace that may be unprecedented? Why does the environment continue to be polluted? Why do the weather and climate seem to be changing? Perhaps most important, why have laws, legal institutions and governments been unable to address and correct these problems?

Jan Laitos reviews the history of our relationship with the natural environment and develops new ways of thinking about nature and its protection. Instead of proceeding with human-based goals, Laitos argues that we should protect environmental resources for their own intrinsic value. Instead of giving humans more and more rights to clean up the environment, and to halt resources depletion, a right of nonuse held by the resource itself should be created. Natural resources have always possessed this parallel nonuse function, and society should recognize and legitimize it.

Acknowedgments

Part I - INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1: The Nature of Nature

Part II - A SOCIAL - ECONOMIC HISTORY OF RESOURCE USE AND NONUSE

Chapter 2: Defining Natural Resources Use and Nonuse

Chapter 3: Era I - The Age of Human Survival

Chapter 4: Era II - The Age of the Market

Chapter 5: Era III - The Age of Property

Chapter 6: Era IV - The Anthrocene Age

Chapter 7: Era V - The Age of Ecocentrism

Part III - A LEGAL HISTORY OF RESOURCE USE AND NONUSE

Chapter 8: lĻ