Deterioration of the Earth's environment increasingly threatens the natural resource base and processes upon which all life on Earth depends. Humans are rapidly exceeding the carrying capacity of the environment and coming generations will suffer deprivation and hardship unless current patterns of production, consumption and waste management are dramatically altered. This handbook is intended to enable national judges in all types of tribunals in both civil law and common law jurisdictions to identify environmental issues coming before them and to be aware of the range of options available to them in interpreting and applying the law. Publishing Agency: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).