Kelsey Leonard: Why lakes and rivers should have the same rights as humans

Why lakes and rivers should have the same rights as humans

Water is essential to life. Yet in the eyes of the law, it remains largely unprotected -- leaving many communities without access to safe drinking water, says legal scholar Kelsey Leonard. In this powerful talk, she shows why granting lakes and rivers legal "personhood" -- giving them the same legal rights as humans -- is the first step to protecting our bodies of water and fundamentally transforming how we value this vital resource.

Water remains largely unprotected in law, even as nearly two billion people live under high water stress and cities like Flint and Cape Town endure ongoing water crises. Recognizing water as a living relative—rather than a mere resource—reshapes how society connects to and safeguards it. By granting rivers and lakes legal personhood, communities can ensure that vital waters have rights to exist, flourish, and be protected from harm. Real-world examples in New Zealand, India, and the United States show this shift is possible.