Ecoviolence and the Law

Dr. Westra proposes a different way of looking at the multiple environmental crises threatening the global community, contending that the current movement, in both ethics and the law, towards a separation of human rights and environmental rights is profoundly misguided. She argues that these are not separate fields of study or endeavour but are closely interrelated, and access to clean air and water, land capable of growing uncontaminated food, and a climate that fosters growth are inherent human rights. After providing an examination of cases where the depravation of environmental rights can be construed as an assault on the current and future wellbeing of a community, Dr. Westra conceives the creation of an International Environmental Court that would adjudicate ecocrime issues, combining careful analysis with imaginative solutions.