Historical Pollution: In Search of a Legal Definition

The chapter introduces and investigates the concept of \u201chistorical pollution\u201d in the context of environmental law. The subject is complex, as the principal consideration in our analysis concerns the role of time in the causation of harmful consequences (both for the environment and human health), notably in view of the prolonged timeframe that separates the conduct (pollution) and the effect (contamination). The phenomenon under scrutiny has significant implications for both the legal and the social fields. Indeed, legal enforcement of putative crimes against the environment is generally ineffective precisely because of this temporal factor, and this also has consequences for social perceptions and the dynamics of victimization. Yet these considerations could also contribute to a definition of historical pollution, as\u2014 given the complexity and uncertainties that surround the phenomenon\u2014they suggest ways in which material cases could be used to frame a general understanding of the concept. Attention here is focused on pollution related to industrial activities since such cases are prominent in the field. The proposed definition strives to establish a general framework within which domestic analyses can be located, consistent with the particularities of each legal system. It represents one of the first steps into the unexplored terrain of historical pollution

Harnessing cross-border resources to confront climate change

The US and Mexico share a common history in many areas, including language and culture. They face ecological changes due to the increased frequency and severity of droughts and rising energy demands; trends that entail economic costs for both nations and major implications for human wellbeing. We describe an ongoing effort by the Environment Working Group (EWG), created by The University of California's UC-Mexico initiative in 2015, to promote binational research, teaching, and outreach collaborations on the implications of climate change for Mexico and California. We synthesize current knowledge about the most pressing issues related to climate change in the US-Mexico border region and provide examples of cross-border discoveries and research initiatives, highlighting the need to move forward in six broad rubrics. This and similar binational cooperation efforts can lead to improved living standards, generate a collaborative mindset among participating universities, and create an international network to address urgent sustainability challenges affecting both countries