Environment - The International Challenge

The environmental threats to the earth, such as ozone-layer depletion and global warming, are high in the public consciousness, but there is little governmental commitment to finding practical solutions. Much of the political reaction to these problems - even at events such as the 1992 Conference on Environment and Development at Rio - is confined to grand statements which do not bind national to any practical action.

In this book, Geoffrey Palmer addresses the barriers in international law which have prevented worldwide commitment to reducing environmental damage. The value the law places on each nation's autonomy and on unanimous consent is preventing effective solutions from being put into place. Palmer examines how to balance the need for global consensus with that of making practical international law which is binding, not a mere proclamation of good intentions.