Ethical principles, as well as factual predictions about the consequences of various alternative policies, need to be considered. Questions of value are also important. Finally, it is necessary to take account of environmental law. It is important to have an understanding both of current law and of what legal change is possible. Foundations of Environmental Law and Policy , edited by Richard L. Revesz, views environmental policy primarily through the lenses of economics, ethics and law.
Little information is provided from the environmental sciences.
The book is an anthology of forty selections written mostly by economists, philosophers, and legal analysts. The focus is primarily on pollution control with little attention to such topics as wildlife management, forest management, preserving ecosystems, urban blight, land use planning, and the workplace environment. This should not be taken as criticism. Revesz was wise to chose a focus narrow enough to allow for some depth and for the presentation of different points of view on a single topic. All of the selections are of high quality, and several provide an important overview of various policy alternatives.