Ecuador's Constitutional Court has granted coastal marine ecosystems legal rights, marking a significant step in environmental protection. This ruling extends the country's pioneering "rights of nature" laws, which originally applied to land and wildlife, to include marine ecosystems. The court acknowledged that these ecosystems have the right to "integral respect" for their existence and to the preservation of their life cycles, functions, and structures. This ruling follows Ecuador's historic 2008 constitutional amendments that first recognized nature's rights, making it the first country to do so. This new legal protection for marine environments underscores Ecuador's commitment to safeguarding its natural resources, including its vital coastal areas.
Image via Eco Watch
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