This Saltwater Lagoon is Legally a Person. Here’s Why That Could Help it Survive.
A Triumph for Nature: Teresa Vicente’s Crusade for Mar Menor’s Legal Rights
In an inspiring victory for environmental justice, Teresa Vicente has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her relentless campaign to protect the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon. Her efforts culminated in the passage of a groundbreaking law in September 2022, which granted the lagoon unique legal rights, marking a historic moment in the Rights of Nature movement.
The Mar Menor, a jewel of Spain’s Mediterranean coast, had suffered extensive pollution due to mining, urban development, and intensive agriculture. The once pristine waters, beloved for their turquoise clarity and rich marine life, faced severe threats that led to mass die-offs of fish and crustaceans and the destruction of 85% of the lagoon’s seagrass. In the 1970s, a development boom around Mar Menor led to hotels and high-rise apartments being built right at the water’s edge. But since the waters have turned murky and dead fish have washed up, both house prices and tourism revenue have dipped.
Vicente, a professor of philosophy of law, spearheaded a grassroots campaign that rallied the community to save this ecological treasure. The new law recognizes the lagoon’s right to conservation, protection, and damage remediation, empowering individuals to take legal action against those who harm .
This landmark achievement not only safeguards the Mar Menor but also sets a precedent for the legal recognition of natural entities’ rights worldwide. It’s a testament to the power of community activism and the potential for legal frameworks to evolve in favor of nature’s rights.
Teresa Vicente’s story is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that through dedication and collective effort, it is possible to enact meaningful change and ensure the protection of our planet’s precious ecosystems for generations to come.
Read more at This saltwater lagoon is legally a person. Here’s why that could help it survive, by Neill Lewis, CNN, April 29, 2024.
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