Law & Policy for Environmental Conservation

Introduction to the course:

This course provides a unique learning experience for those wishing to understand the laws and policies that regulate and influence how environmental conservation efforts are carried out. We will look at international, EU, and state environmental laws and legislation to consider how legal regimes work together, or conflict. We will also look at examples of ‘best practices’ in other countries to address questions such as: how can law be used to protect natural resources and biodiversity? How effective is law, if marine resources continue to be depleted? Are the problems not with the laws themselves but with enforcement? How should we think about engaging in policy actions?

This course will be topics based and focus on marine conservation and pollution prevention, maritime safety law, fisheries laws, protection of endangered species, forests and overgrazing, hybrid and genetically modified seeds, water and air pollution, offshore oil drilling and alternative energy issues. This course is not meant to be a general environmental law class, but rather to get students thinking creatively about how to engage the law and use policy solutions to help solve real environmental problems, while expanding the way students think about their own conservation efforts.

Introduction to the site:

Taking place on the Greek islands, this course will utilize its unique location and link classroom study with interactive participation. Students will make direct observations about conservation methods and consider challenges such as how to present environmental data in legal and policy actions. Activities such as snorkeling and whale watching, surveying endangered species populations and helping to monitor fish catches are examples of possible activities. Students will also participate in a case study, to be chosen from the following topics: 1) oil drilling in the Aegean Sea, 2) establishing a marine protected area, or 3) creating an offshore wind farm. A policy writing exercise may also be included.

Aims:

The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the complex web of international laws and policies regulating and influencing environmental conservation actions, while getting students to think critically about what they mean and where they can be effective or frustrating to environmental conservation efforts. A combination of lectures, active projects (e.g. case studies, best practices) and hands-on experience will provide students with a unique insight into how to think more creatively about utilizing the law and making policy recommendations to better manage environmental resources both on the national and local levels. The course provides good background knowledge to anybody who wishes to understand international environmental law and how policy could be an effective tool in reaching environmental conservation goals.

Topics covered:

• Using the Law and Policy for Environmental Conservation:

This course focuses on how law and policy is used to approach environmental conservation issues. A number of topics will be taught to give a practical understanding of the complex web of international environmental laws, conventions and regulations pertaining to environmental conservation. Through case studies and “best practices,” students will learn to examine laws and policies from both critical and practical perspectives.