Law Commons^™

Rio’S 2016 Olympic Golf Course: City’S Last Remaining Ecosystems Left “In The Rough”, Charles Vercillo

University of Miami Inter-American Law Review

The sport of golf returned as an official event at the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro following a prolonged absence from the Games. To accommodate golf’s return, the city of Rio endorsed the construction of the Olympic golf course on land adjoining the Marapendi lagoon—land historically known to be ecologically valuable and environmentally protected. With the Games rapidly approaching, the city quickly passed complementary Law 125, stripping this land of its environmental protection, and instead authorizing a golf course as a sustainable use of the land.

Local environmentalists have challenged the legislation and the city’s decision, arguing …

Alien Invasion! An Ocean Picture Coming To A Sea Near You: An Analysis Of International Frameworks For Aquatic Invasive Species Control, Kelly Cox

University of Miami Inter-American Law Review

Aquatic invasive species are marine, estuarine, or freshwater organisms that adversely impact ecosystems they are not native to. Such impacts include long-lasting or permanent damage to habitats, ecosystem balance, and biodiversity. These impacts have a cascading effect on local economies dependent on these natural resources by impeding recreational and commercial activities. Moreover, aquatic invasive species control and management is both complex and challenging due to the lack of physical barriers in aquatic environments to abate or contain the spread of these nuisance species. The Wider Caribbean Region has been notably impacted by the introduction of the non-native lionfish (Pterois volitans) …