BY HELEN J. CATALBAS
WE CAN own a tiny or huge piece of planet Earth in many ways. Some ways are legal, others illegal and still a novel way is by just claiming this piece through a monotonous and arrogant oratory in a holy place. Whichever which way but lose, we say.
These pieces of planet Earth are the source of the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the energy that fuel our cars and industries and much more. The list is ad infinitum.
Pieces of the Earth are tourism attractions whether they are on land, sea or air. They could also be hosts to tourism facilities, amenities or services.
How these pieces of planet Earth became private properties of certain persons are long stories to tell, too long to be accommodated in this column space.
We will try to mention a few ways.
When an ascendant, descendant or lateral relative dies, by right of succession, ownership of his/her properties is passed on to his children, parents or siblings as the case may be.
How much heirs can inherit depends on the law on inheritance that is prevailing in a given country at the time of death of a parent, child or sibling.
Uninterrupted possession in the concept of an owner is another way of acquiring a piece of planet Earth. The means employed in acquiring such ownership or possession or both may be legal like succession of right, purchase, foreclosure or other means recognized by law as such.
The means employed could be illegal like land grabbing, possession by force or intimidation, deceitful documentation and other scheming ways.
Wars are waged by nations against each other to occupy vast portions of planet Earth. Siblings quarrel when either or both claim and try to possess a right that does not belong to an ascendant in the first place.
Let us take care of planet Earth whether we privately own a piece of it or not. This is the only thing we own in common with the rest of humankind and all living things on, below and above its surface./PN
