Can law change human behavior to be less environmentally damaging? Law will be examined through case histories including: environmental effects of national security, pesticides, air pollution, consumer products, plastics, parks and protected area management, land use, urban growth and sprawl, public/private transit, drinking water standards, food safety, and hazardous site restoration. In each case we will review the structure of law and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

John Wargo is the Professor of Environmental Health and Politics, and is Chair of the Yale College Environmental Studies Major. He has written and lectured extensively on the limits and potential of environmental law.