Linhares in Brazil is a famous locomotion destination for surfers worldwide . Recently , the city ’s seacoast has taken on even great significance . In June 2024 , themunicipal councilof Linhares recognized the waves at the mouth of the Doce River and the get in touch sea as entities deserve protection , nock thefirst timelegal personhood has been go to part of the sea .
allot to Cornell Law School , alegal person(a.k.a . afictitious personor anartificial person ) is “ a human or a non - human effectual entity that is treated as a person for legal purposes . ” Such bodies are granted right normally reserved for residents , such as the ability to sue and go into into contracts .
In the case of Linhares ’ coast , thenew lawprotects the river ’s strong-arm anatomy , its chemical war paint , and the ecological condition that order it . The city must now recognize the water ’s cultural and economic time value , and it has even appointed “ guardians ” to safeguard and comprise the entity in the public decision - make process .
The legislative move was made in illumination of the damage substantiate by theMariana Damcollapse of November 2015 . Two billion three-dimensional foot of iron ore waste and clay flooded the border area of Southeast Brazil , leaving 19 people dead and around 600 without homes . The waste also flowed into the Doce River , trip monolithic Pisces die - offs and loss of vegetation . The river ’s wavesweakenedas mud accumulate and did n’t find military strength until 2022 following another flood .
According toHakai Magazine , the law ’s main purpose is to “ convert mindsets and switch public policy ” regarding water quality and resourcefulness extraction .
The Conversationreports that allow legal personhood to nature is becoming more uncouth . Ecuador was the first country to do so in its 2008 United States Constitution , with others follow cause . Other examples of natural characteristic that are legally hoi polloi admit New Zealand ’s Whanganui River andMount Taranaki .
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