The Common Good and Ecological Integrity: Human Rights and the Support of Life

Proponents of the concept of ecological integrity argue that it is a necessary component of global governance on which the sustainable future of the planet and its inhabitants depends. This book presents the latest research and current thinking on the role of ecological integrity in support of life on Earth and the importance of governance for the common good, or the benefit of all.

The book considers whether present forms of governance support the common good, or whether they are endangering its very foundations. It explores the connection between consumerism and capitalism, the destruction of natural resources and with it, the elimination of many of the ecosystem services that support life in general, and human life in particular. Chapters focus on the defence of human rights, and in particular the rights to key resources such as food, water and general health/wellbeing, as well as energy and security.

Topics covered include climate change, biodiversity, migration and conflict resolution, with approaches from various perspectives such as politics, ethics, sociology and law. Overall the book provides a stimulating insight into the multifaceted debates surrounding ecological integrity, global governance and sustainability.

Laura Westra is Professor Emerita (Philosophy), University of Windsor, Canada, and Sessional Instructor at the Faculty of Law, University of Milano (Bicocca), Italy.

Janice Gray is Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law and an Affiliate of the Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre at University of New South Wales, Australia. She is also a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of Oxford, and Queen Mary University of London, UK.

Antonio D'Aloia is Professor of Constitutional Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Parma, Italy.