Ecuador court rules pollution violates rights of a river running through capital
An Ecuadorian court rules pollution violated Machángara River's rights in Quito. Government must clean up river amid appeal. Case sparks debate on natural features' rights in environmental protection worldwide.
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An Ecuadorian court has made a groundbreaking ruling stating that pollution has violated the rights of the Machángara River, which flows through the capital city of Quito. The court decision, based on Ecuador's constitution recognizing the rights of natural features, was appealed by the city government. The ruling requires the government to devise a plan to clean up the river while the appeals process unfolds. The Machángara River faces significant pollution issues due to the dumping of various effluents and contaminants by the city's 2.6 million residents. This pollution has led to low oxygen levels in the river, impacting aquatic life. Ecuador stands out as one of the few countries acknowledging the rights of natural features to be protected from degradation and pollution. The case raises questions about whether rivers should have similar rights as people in the ongoing global conversation about environmental protection and conservation.
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4 commentsPolitical instability, crime/corruption, changing climates, and weak military power makes investment in the area high risk. It's hard to determine which smaller countries will be breakout successes. If this river is actually clean in 3 years, this is a positive signal for Ecuador.
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