Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses a wide range of policy issues: Katy Gwiazdon discusses in detail a recent and ongoing case (US) dealing with climate change, while Rose Dyson analyses the difficulties that the 'digital age' adds to the disaster that climate change represents. It demonstrates the interface between the protection of ecological integrity and public health, as both are based on human rights, inseparable as they are from natures rights. Kathleen Mahoney addresses Indigenous human rights, explaining the success of her case against the government of Canadas early actions and their treatment of the First Nations. The book addresses some major problems in governance, starting with Sheila Collins's detailed discussion of environmental problems during Donald Trump's US presidency. It shows that ecological integrity is now being increasingly acknowledged in both law and governance.