Abstract
The article examines the negative consequences for the science of Ecological and Natural Resource Law of the decision of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia on the new nomenclature of scientific specialities for which academic degrees are awarded. It is shown how this decision will have a negative impact on the development of the law itself in the country. The author’s positions are based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the General theory of law, the theory of public law. The study was carried out in the context of the needs of solving acute problems of environmental protection and ensuring rational use of natural resources in the country, as well as overcoming the civilizational crisis.