Principal speaker
Professor Tim Stephens
Abstract
What are the implications of the Anthropocene for the study and practice of international environmental law? This new "human era' in Earth's history upends many traditional assumptions about the purpose and function of environmental law. It has decisively erased the (already untenable) distinction between the human and natural worlds such that many of the historic concerns of environmental law (such as wilderness protection) now appear as vainglorious acts in the face of global environmental transformation. As the Anthropocene challenges our understanding of international environmental law, so it must necessarily challenge our understanding of research in the field. The paper argues that if international environmental law research is to maintain its meaning and relevance, it will need to draw on the insights provided by Earth systems science and Earth systems governance literature and embrace clear objectives to maintain a habitable planet.
About the speaker
Tim Stephens is Professor of International Law and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the University of Sydney. Tim teaches and researches in public international law, with his published work focussing on the international law of the sea, international environmental law and international dispute settlement. His major works include The International Law of the Sea (Hart, 2nd edition, 2016), with Donald R Rothwell, and International Courts and Environmental Protection (Cambridge University Press, 2009). Tim's ARC Future Fellowship research project is examining the implications of the Anthropocene for international law. Tim has a PhD in law from the University of Sydney, an M.Phil in geography from the University of Cambridge, and a BA and LLB (both with Honours) from the University of Sydney. He is admitted as a legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Tim served as President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law from 2015 to 2019.
About the seminar
Professor Tim Stephens will present his Law Futures Seminar at the Griffith Law School (N61) Nathan campus with a videolink to the Griffith Law School (G36) Gold Coast campus. When registering for this seminar, please indicate in your email which campus you will attend.
Event categories
RSVP
RSVP on or before Sunday 1 September 2019 , by email lawfutures@griffith.edu.au