Protecting Environmental Human Rights for Future Generations

Bridget Lewis

doi:10.1017/9781009039642.003

2 - Protecting Environmental Human Rights for Future Generations

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 March 2023

Bridget Lewis

Edited by

Walter F. Baber and

James R. May

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Walter F. Baber: Affiliation:
California State University, Long Beach
James R. May: Affiliation:
Widener University, Delaware Law School

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Summary

Despite the growing recognition of environmental rights as a key means of protecting human rights from environmental harm, the rights of future generations to be protected from environmental harm have so far been neglected. Environmental problems like climate change, landfill, toxic waste, air and water pollution, depletion of aquifers, and deforestation all have effects that will persist for decades. Environmental destruction from natural and manmade disasters can occur rapidly and cause irreparable harm to natural and cultural heritage. Concepts of sustainable development and the precautionary principle, notwithstanding their long standing as pillars of international environmental law, have failed to prevent large-scale, long-term environmental damage and associated impacts on human rights. To protect the interests of future generations effectively, environmental human rights frameworks need justiciable rights that protect against long-term environmental harm accompanied by principles and processes to enable legal enforcement of those rights.

Type: Chapter
Information: Environmental Human Rights in the Anthropocene
Concepts, Contexts, and Challenges
, pp. 31 - 51

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009039642.003 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2023

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