Introduction

The importance of environmental issues has continued to grow in virtually every arena, and the number of lawyers specializing in environmental law has continued to expand, especially in the developing countries. Lawyers everywhere recognize the key role that environmental concerns will play in political, financial, and industrial decision making. Some of the current issues in environmental law are: 1. the internationalization of the field, 2. the role of public and private leaders in advancing environmental protection, 3. the interaction of trade and the environment, 4. increasing emphasis on enforcement of environmental laws, and 5. the growing role of litigation brought by private citizens.