In a groundbreaking decision, Spain has given personhood status to a heavily polluted lagoon to help clean and protect it. The decision means that the saltwater lagoon called the Mar Menor is the first ecosystem in Europe to receive the status and all of the legal rights that go with it.

Source: DW Documentary/YouTube

The Mar Menor lagoon has been a large concern for environmentalists and ecologists in recent years. The lagoon receives heavily polluted runoff of fertilizer that is used in farmland nearby. The runoff has caused an unbalance in the nutrients in the ecosystem. This unbalance can take away oxygen from the water, causing fish to die off and therefore affecting the entire ecosystem.

Members of the Spanish parliament decided to give the Mar Menor lagoon in Murcia the status after over half a million signatures were collected backing the decision to protect the threatened ecosystem.

Source: Viral Tab Presents/YouTube

Now, the status will allow the rights of the lagoon to be defended in court just as if it were a person or business. This also means that any citizen can appeal in the case of a suspected violation against the lagoon. The lagoon will be represented by a group of caretakers, including officials, scientists, and even residents.

Shifting to a more plant-based diet and curbing meat consumption can tremendously help the planet. The United Nations recently released a report warning countries about the dangers of climate change and has urged people to eat more plant-based as a way to curb it. We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest meatless, plant-based/vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Related Content:

• British Town Signs Plant-Based Treaty and Encourages Residents to Go Vegan
• E. Coli Found in West Baltimore Water, CDC Reminds Homeowners to Routinely Test Private Well Water
• Toxic Sewage Runoff at Popular Acapulco Bay in Mexico Turns Water Black and Dangerously Polluted (VIDEO)
• Algae Bloom in San Francisco Bay Makes Water Brown and Murky
• Pollution From Tire Dust is a Massive Threat to Marine Life

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on the App Store. With over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest meatless, vegan, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! Lastly, being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!