Studying Environmental Law: A Brief Overview and Readings for a Seminar

This article attempted to provide a broad survey of environmental law, as it existed in the early 1990s. It explained the beginnings of environmental law, the evolution of environmental impact assessment law and pollution control law, environmental cleanup and species protection laws, and protection of special lands. The article also offered some issues for consideration in an environmental law seminar, including various perspectives on the environment, common law remedies, environmental regulation, economic incentives for environmental protection, environmental enforcement, and the future. It still serves as a useful overview of the origins of environmental law.