Environmentalism and Politics Set – serie

Britain has an immense range of environmental law and the reputation for largely ignoring it. John McCormick describes the fascinating story of the political growth of that law, and the pressures, the compromises, the parliamentary and civil service opportunism that allowed the edifice to grow over the greater part of a century.He tells the story of the absolute change in political climate over the last ten years and deciphers the nature of Thatcher's ''conversion'' to greenery. He explains why everyone who cared about the environment became embattled and, above all, how the old methods of sensible compromise were banished, probably for ever, not least because of the government's obsession with secrecy. What, then, are the new political means of compelling change on a reluctant parliament? Everything is at stake from welfare to water, from forests to fishing. Where are we now? What are the likely pressures, both internal and from Europe and the rest of the world, to make Britain pass more environmentally sound laws and, perhaps more importantly, to observe them? McCormick provides a gripping picture of the central issues, of the system and of the battleground.Originally published in 1991

Did dinosaurs contribute to global warming? What is rubbish theory and what indeed is rubbish? And how did the whale become a cuddly toy? And why did we decide to saturate our land and food with pesticides?Dirty Words examines all of these questions and also includes a study of pollution in fiction, from the fogs of Dickens to the smog of Chandler, advice on how to be an environmental troublemaker, and a suggestion of our choice of futures: the world as an icebox or a greenhouse.This entertaining and provocative collection of pieces by a group of environmental experts challenges the reader to take a closer look at the current pollution debate.Originally published in 1991

We have poisoned the air and water on which our lives depend. Poor countries exhaust their land in the struggle to survive while rich countries demand more and more. The Earthscan Action Handbook spells out why things have gone so terribly wrong and what each of us can do to clean up the mess. Each chapter deals with one of the major problems people and the planet now face: meeting the human needs of health, education and social justice as well as the environmental needs of our dying lakes and forests, polluted seas, threatened habitats and endangered species. Packed with suggestions for positive action, this book also gives details of who to contact, what to read and where to go if you want to do more. Whether you care about buying safe food or feeding the world, The Earthscan Action Handbook is indispensable. Originally published in 1990

Never before have people been so aware of the importance of sound environmental law, as every week stories of controversial planning developments and prosecutions for the release of toxic substances feature in the news. Environmental Law and Citizen Action sets out and explains the ways that ordinary citizens can use the law to ensure the environment is protected. There are a number of existing UK laws which require local authorities to control pollution and protect the environments and many more which can be used to tackle environmental offenders, yet often local government officers themselves are unaware of the full scope of their powers. Writing in a clear, accessible style, Alan Murdie explains how to get access to the relevant information, participate in public enquiries, use the courts to challenge public and government bodies and prosecute polluters. This book maps a path through the intricate legal maze to show what rights every citizen has, and how those rights can be enforced. Alan Murdie is a barrister with long-standing interest and involvement in local government issues, and a lecturer at Thames Valley University. He is co-author of To Pay or Not To Pay, a best-selling analysis of the poll tax debate, and has contributed to a wide range of legal and government periodicals. Originally published in 1993

'THIS SHORT BOOK IS A REVELATION AND AN INSPIRATION. USING THE SIMPLE BUT BRILLIANT DEVICE OF AN EXCHANGE OF FAXES FROM ACROSS TIME. IT REVEALS TO US WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD'FROM THE FOREWORD BY SIR RICHARD ROGERSOriginally published in 1996

TO ACCOMPANY A MAJOR ITV DOCUMENTARY We are poisoning our planet and destroying the lives of our children. In the west arguments rage over how much nuclear radiation and toxic dumping is safe, while children continue to breath filthy air and eat food full of pesticides. In the third World, over four million children die each year from drinking unclean water. Adults make the decisions but children pay the highest price. They are physically vulnerable and politically powerless. When the Bough Breaks... is about the world we are creating for our children. For too long we have used what we want from our planet now, refusing to think about the future. But it may still not be too late. The book sets out what must be done and describes how people throughout the world are uniting to clean up the mess we have made.

TO ACCOMPANY A MAJOR ITV DOCUMENTARY We are poisoning our planet and destroying the lives of our children. In the west arguments rage over how much nuclear radiation and toxic dumping is safe, while children continue to breath filthy air and eat food full of pesticides. In the third World, over four million children die each year from drinking unclean water. Adults make the decisions but children pay the highest price. They are physically vulnerable and politically powerless. When the Bough Breaks... is about the world we are creating for our children. For too long we have used what we want from our planet now, refusing to think about the future. But it may still not be too late. The book sets out what must be done and describes how people throughout the world are uniting to clean up the mess we have made.

'THIS SHORT BOOK IS A REVELATION AND AN INSPIRATION. USING THE SIMPLE BUT BRILLIANT DEVICE OF AN EXCHANGE OF FAXES FROM ACROSS TIME. IT REVEALS TO US WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD'FROM THE FOREWORD BY SIR RICHARD ROGERSOriginally published in 1996

Never before have people been so aware of the importance of sound environmental law, as every week stories of controversial planning developments and prosecutions for the release of toxic substances feature in the news. Environmental Law and Citizen Action sets out and explains the ways that ordinary citizens can use the law to ensure the environment is protected. There are a number of existing UK laws which require local authorities to control pollution and protect the environments and many more which can be used to tackle environmental offenders, yet often local government officers themselves are unaware of the full scope of their powers. Writing in a clear, accessible style, Alan Murdie explains how to get access to the relevant information, participate in public enquiries, use the courts to challenge public and government bodies and prosecute polluters. This book maps a path through the intricate legal maze to show what rights every citizen has, and how those rights can be enforced. Alan Murdie is a barrister with long-standing interest and involvement in local government issues, and a lecturer at Thames Valley University. He is co-author of To Pay or Not To Pay, a best-selling analysis of the poll tax debate, and has contributed to a wide range of legal and government periodicals. Originally published in 1993

Britain has an immense range of environmental law and the reputation for largely ignoring it. John McCormick describes the fascinating story of the political growth of that law, and the pressures, the compromises, the parliamentary and civil service opportunism that allowed the edifice to grow over the greater part of a century.He tells the story of the absolute change in political climate over the last ten years and deciphers the nature of Thatcher's ''conversion'' to greenery. He explains why everyone who cared about the environment became embattled and, above all, how the old methods of sensible compromise were banished, probably for ever, not least because of the government's obsession with secrecy. What, then, are the new political means of compelling change on a reluctant parliament? Everything is at stake from welfare to water, from forests to fishing. Where are we now? What are the likely pressures, both internal and from Europe and the rest of the world, to make Britain pass more environmentally sound laws and, perhaps more importantly, to observe them? McCormick provides a gripping picture of the central issues, of the system and of the battleground.Originally published in 1991

We have poisoned the air and water on which our lives depend. Poor countries exhaust their land in the struggle to survive while rich countries demand more and more. The Earthscan Action Handbook spells out why things have gone so terribly wrong and what each of us can do to clean up the mess. Each chapter deals with one of the major problems people and the planet now face: meeting the human needs of health, education and social justice as well as the environmental needs of our dying lakes and forests, polluted seas, threatened habitats and endangered species. Packed with suggestions for positive action, this book also gives details of who to contact, what to read and where to go if you want to do more. Whether you care about buying safe food or feeding the world, The Earthscan Action Handbook is indispensable. Originally published in 1990

Suitable for policy makers, lobbyists, researchers and students, this title intends to facilitate the ability to network and lobby effectively in this age of increasing globalisation. It discusses the vast array of organisations and individuals involved in the global environmental movement.