Environmental Citizen Action

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

Civil society, or citizen's groups, have taken centre stage in international policy debates and global problem solving. They hold out the promise of a global community and global governance. This volume, by leading scholars and participants, shows how to understand the changes that are occurring, particularly in relation to the international institutions involved. It includes case studies from all the major social movements of the 1990s.

Never before have Canadians been as concerned about clean air. The federal government estimates that air pollution causes 5,000 premature deaths in Canada each year. Environmental and public health advocates believe the number closer to 16,000. If they are right, air pollution is responsible for approximately forty premature deaths across Canada every day. The magnitude and complexity of the threats to our clean air are staggering. Some of these threats - including smog, acid rain, and hazardous air pollutants - tend to be local or regional in scope. Others - such as ozone layer depletion and climate change - are truly global in nature. The need for action at all levels and in all sectors of society, within and beyond our borders, is undeniable. If solutions are to be found, citizens everywhere must become more effective advocates for clean air. This guide has been written in the belief that citizens can make a difference. Making a difference, however, depends heavily on being informed and strategic in advocating for change. A legal and scientific primer on clean air issues, this guide is intended to provide an accessible way for citizens across Canada to become informed about air