Court rules that oceans have rights

The Constitutional Court of Ecuador has ruled that marine ecosystems on the country’s coast have legal rights. An ecosystem is a group of plants and animals that affect one another. The ruling is expected to lead to stronger protections against activities that harm underwater habitats. Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean in western South America. The water off its coast is a habitat for manta rays, sharks, whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. The Galápagos Islands, a group of islands with many species that are found nowhere else on Earth, are also part of Ecuador. In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to declare in its constitution (nation’s principles for government) that nature has legal rights. Since then, other countries such as Bolivia and New Zealand have also passed laws granting legal…

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The Week Junior US (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 253

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