Brazilian City Gives Ocean Waves Legal Rights
lay the groundwork: to do work or preparations that make it possible for something bigger or more important to happen later
A city in Brazil called Linhares has made history by giving legal rights to part of the ocean. The waves at the mouth of the Doce River are now legally considered “living beings.” This is the first time that waves, or any part of the ocean, have been given legal personhood.
The new law means that these waves have the right to exist, be clean, and be protected. The city must also keep the river’s shape and the special chemical balance of the water.
The waves were badly damaged after a dam collapse in 2015, which polluted the river and changed its flow. After a major flood in 2022, the waves finally returned, and now, they have their own legal protection.
While this is the first time a part of an ocean has been recognized with rights, similar laws in other countries laid the groundwork. In Ecuador, nature was given legal rights in 2008, allowing ecosystems to be protected. In 2017, New Zealand gave legal status to the Whanganui River to honor its importance to the Maori people. In 2019, Bangladesh gave all rivers the same legal rights as humans to help stop pollution.
Sample sentences
The teacher worked hard to lay the groundwork for her students’ success by creating a good learning plan.
By saving money early, she laid the groundwork for a comfortable retirement.
The team laid the groundwork for their new business by researching the market and planning their budget.
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For the First Time, Part of the Ocean Has Been Granted Legal Personhood