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The article discusses the toxicity of the chemical element mercury and the need for international regulation to significantly reduce global levels of mercury pollution. Information on mercury is provided, focusing on its sources, industrial uses, environmental impact and possible methods of pollution control. The various international conventions which regulate mercury use and disposal are reviewed. Objections to a unified global legal regime on mercury have been raised by developing countries, out of concern that their development may be impeded by such regulations, as well as by the United States, which favors a decentralized approach and bilateral agreements.

This article discusses the relationship between environmental law in the United States and the response to global terrorism. According to the author, terrorism is a short-term act of commission which can be risk-assessed and prudent insurance policies can be developed. Environmental threats such as global warming are long-term acts of omission which have been overshadowed by the war on terrorism. He argues that terrorism diverts sustainable resources through the efforts to cope with the environmental consequences of terrorism and the neglect or repeal of on-going environmental management systems. He suggests that the strengthening of environmental laws will make it harder for terrorists to succeed and an independent environmental auditor would make it more difficult for governments to shift priorities.

The article focuses on developments in environmental policy and law including coastal protection in Israel and court recognition of the negative effects of global warming in the United States. In Israel, the Knesset finalized the legislation process of a Law for the Protection of the Coastal Environment which calls for coastal environment protection and for amendments to the existing Planning and Building Law. While the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has approved a global warming lawsuit filed by various environmental groups against the government.

The article examines potential sources of liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in the United States. While the Supreme Court recently limited the circumstances in which private parties can use CERCLA to compel or recovery costs to investigate or remediate historic hazardous waste disposal sites, the government has virtually unlimited powers. CERCLA cases are an appropriate analogue for discussing owner and operator liability under almost any cause of action that seeks damages for land pollution.

This section offers news briefs related to environmental policy and law. A bill aimed at reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by nearly 70 percent was withdrawn by the Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate. A declaration on Policy Coherence for Development was adopted by ministers of Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) countries on June 4, 2008. A draft law was approved by the Commission on the Environment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly that enables Turkey's accession to the Kyoto Protocol.

The article offers information about the Karl Schmitz-Scholl Fund for Environmental Law and Policy and the Elizabeth Haub Foundation for Environmental Law and Policy in the U.S. The Karl Schmitz-Scholl Fund for Environmental Law and Policy was founded in 1968 by Elizabeth Haub in honor of her father's 100th birthday. The Elizabeth Haub Foundation (US) was established by Helga Haub in 1981 and its sister organization opened in Canada in 1996. Both organizations work in conjunction with international and national organizations throughout the world, such as The International Council of Environmental Law (ICEL) and The IUCN-Environmental Law Programme (IUCN-ELP). They are also involved in the drafting of nearly all legally binding treaties on the environment and sustainable development.

The author reflects on the topics related to the U.S. environmental law at both the national and international level, focusing on the U.S. environmental policy under the administration by the U.S. President George W. Bush and the influence of U.S. Vice President Al Gore. The author discusses topics including the ordinances and directives of the European Union, the appointment of Ms. Rhett Bjerregaard as environment commissioner, the U.S. action plan on climate change.