Merkouris, Panos --- "Preface" [2010] ELECD 588; in Fitzmaurice, Malgosia; Ong, M. David; Merkouris, Panos (eds), "Research Handbook on International Environmental Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: Research Handbook on International Environmental Law

Editor(s): Fitzmaurice, Malgosia; Ong, M. David; Merkouris, Panos

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781847201249

Section Title: Preface

Author(s): Merkouris, Panos

Number of pages: 3

Extract:

Preface
Panos Merkouris



The last few decades in human history have been characterised by unprecedented activity in
scientific and technological research with breakthroughs seeming to occur at an ever increas-
ing rate; industry and agriculture, as well as human consumption, have taken full advantage
of these developments, with resulting unparalleled exploitation of every form of natural
resource. Humanity seems to be moving in leaps and bounds, but it is not always clear in
which direction. Henry David Thoreau, in the late 19th century, commenting on the harmful
effects of human activity on the environment, said: `Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste
the sky as well as the earth'. At the beginning of the 21st century, not only have we already
long taken to the skies, but we have also proved Thoreau correct. The gradual erosion of the
ozone layer, for instance, is but one of the latest additions to an already long list of intrusions,
which among others includes the pollution of seas, rivers and lakes, the extinction of fauna
and flora (according to UN estimates, every day up to 150 species become extinct (Reuters,
2007)), desertification, rainforest clearance and overfishing.
It is only natural that such a dire situation would cause a reaction, which in turn would be
reflected in the field of international law. Thus, alongside more traditional areas of interna-
tional law, international environmental law has developed greatly both in scope and impor-
tance. This is evidenced by the conclusion over recent years of many ...