Sussex Wildlife Trust
Climate love
Climate love
Sarah Chabane
10 w
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Sussex River Ouse becomes first river in England to receive legal rights
In March 2023, the Sussex River Ouse became the first river in England to be granted legal rights, which means it will be recognized as a legal entity with the same rights as a person. This legal status will allow the river to have a voice and to be represented in court by an appointed guardian who will act in the river's interests.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to protect and preserve the river and its ecosystem by recognizing its intrinsic value and granting it legal standing. By having legal rights, the Sussex River Ouse will be better protected from harmful activities such as pollution, over-extraction of water, and habitat destruction.
The Sussex Wildlife Trust and other local organisations such as the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust played a significant role in the initiative to grant legal rights to the Sussex River Ouse. They had been working to protect and conserve the river and its ecosystem for several years and had advocated for the river's recognition as a legal entity. These civil society representatives developed a proposal for granting legal rights to the river. The proposal was presented to the local council, which eventually approved it, making the Sussex River Ouse the first river in England to receive legal rights.

The Sussex Wildlife Trust will continue to play an essential role in implementing the initiative, working with the appointed guardian of the river to ensure that its interests are represented and protected. The Trust's expertise and experience in river conservation and management will be vital in promoting the health and sustainability of the Sussex River Ouse and its ecosystem.
Other rivers in the world have been granted legal rights in New Zealand, India, and Colombia, and these initiatives have proven effective in promoting their conservation and sustainable use.

Council passes first ever Rights of River motion in England - Lewes and Eastbourne Councils
https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewes-district-council-news/council-passes-first-ever-rights-of-river-motion-in-england/


River Ouse may become first in England to gain legal rights
Lewes council passes motion recognising Sussex river’s rights to protection, amid growing concerns over pollution of waterways
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/01/sussex-river-ouse-first-in-england-legal-rights-aoe


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10 w
Dear Sarah Chabane Thank you for getting your climate love to level 2! We have reached out to Sussex Wildlife Trust and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! /Adam We Don't Have Time
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10 w
Rivers help shape the features of the Earth.
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Rivers provide one of the main ways of moderating climate
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10 w
Way to go .... This should be emulated
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10 w
thanks to the rights, the river can now be pollution free
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A big win for nature.
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10 w
Wow. This should be implemented in all bodies that contribute to the welfare of the climate. In this way, we know that anyone violating their right is to be held accountable.
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This is awesome. All rivers, forests, oceans, wetlands etc should all be given this legal rights.
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@tabitha_kimani I agree, it should be written in every country's Constitutions!