As some of you may or may not know, I have three kids. They are all under eight years old and love the outdoors. Recently there have been a ton of commercials for kids to join Earth Rangers. So, naturally I have been hounded to do it.
I read everything about it and it is an amazing organization. It teaches the kids the importance of protecting our Earth and how we can do it. This me gets to thinking about the legal aspect of protecting our environment and how much easier it would be if we treated a forest like we treat our corporations, as a legal entity.
A corporation is treated just like a person. It can sue, be sued, and has to file its own taxes. If we gave the same benefits to forest, it can sue (and be sued, but who would sue a forest? The branch fell and hurt my foot – damages!), we could have organizations that are the directors of that forest, for example, World Wildlife Foundation, the Earth Rangers, or Sierra Club Canada.
We could go a step further and give the forest personal rights and have people charged for assault when the unlawfully take down trees.
Our forests and our wildlife are an integral part of our world. I am sure I am not alone when I say I would be more than happy to represent any part of our wildlife pro bono should they need representation against someone/something. I am bound to protect the rights of my client and would definitely go to war for that forest!
