In March, the Whanganui River in New Zealand was the first river in the world to be granted the same legal rights as a human being. Following New Zealand’s steps, India attributed to the Ganges and Yamuna Rivers the status of human living entities. It is clear that humanity is realising that Mother Earth is the source of human existence and her needs must be acknowledged and prioritised. The current modern systems of law focus only on the protection of humans and corporations without considering that human existence depends on the well-being of Mother Earth. New Zealand’s action represents the beginning of a new era that questions the foundations of modern legal systems. The goal now is to restore a symbiotic relationship with Mother Earth. Photo credit: Yes! Magazine