The environment knows no borders ‐ but states do

Abstract

Few environmental problems can be contained to one defined segment of the earth’s surface; because of the inter‐connectedness of environmental systems, most problems spill over into other areas. A logical consequence is that environmental problems can only be tackled vigorously at the global scale. But human organization of the earth’s surface has divided it into a large number of territorial containers, each with its own state, whose major goal is to promote the interests of its inhabitants. International collaboration over resolving environmental problems and ensuring sustainable development is thus fraught with difficulties, leading to pessimistic conclusions regarding long‐term prospects for human life on earth.

Citation

Johnston, R.J. (1996), "The environment knows no borders ‐ but states do", Environmental Management and Health, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 44-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/09566169610113015