Environmental Justice And the Rights of Urban And Future Generations

* * In many countries a three-month-old foetus can be aborted--so what does the law say about the poisoning of an unborn child by a toxic spill, HIV infection or the future damage of climate change? * * This ground-breaking work examines the right of the unborn to health; sure to send shockwaves through governments, polluting industries, NGOS and legal departments dealing with pollution, human health and the rights of the unborn * * Comprehensive coverage of key international legal instruments, cases from Bhopal to Chernobyl, and arguments on environmental harm, justice and the rights of future generations to health The traditional concept of social justice is increasingly being challenged by the notion of a humankind which spans current and future generations. This book is the first systematic examination of how the rights of the unborn and future generations are handled in common law and under international legal instruments. It provides comprehensive coverage of the arguments over international legal instruments, key legal cases and examples including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, industrial disasters, clean water provision, diet, HIV/AIDS, environmental racism and climate change. The result is the most controversial and thorough examination to date of the subject and the enormous ramifications and challenges it poses to every aspect of international and domestic environmental, human rights, trade and public health law and policy. Also covered are international agreements and objectives as diverse as the Kyoto Protocol, the Millennium Development Goals and international trade.

Laura Westra is Professor Emerita (Philosophy), University of Windsor