Environmental Science
The Public Trust Doctrine and Environmental Stewardship
Quick fact
The public trust doctrine, rooted in Roman law and ancient English common law, is still invoked today to force governments to protect coastal ecosystems and even to address climate change, as seen in recent lawsuits against polluting nations.
Why this is interesting
Your favourite beach, the river you swim in, and even the fish in the sea—what if the government legally owned them on your behalf, with a duty to keep them healthy for you, your children, and your children's children?