ENVL-340 : International Environmental Law

This course addresses the role of international law in global environmental protection and to a range of issues raised by humankind's ecological impacts. After a brief overview of international law, the course analyzes and critiques the legal regimes that have developed to address specific global environmental crises. Among the crises addressed in the course are global warming, climate change, biological diversity, freshwater sources, oceans and marine life, species extinction, and global trade in hazardous waste. Special attention is devoted to the conflict between "Global North" and "Global South" over responsibility for environmental protection and to the relationship between global environmental protection and sustainable development, human rights, armed conflict, international trade and international finance. Over the course of the semester, students will research and write a paper on a topic of their interest. Public International Law is recommended but not required. Recommended but not required: Public International Law (INTL-300).