Publisher Summary Environmental law has moved to front stage. The intense attention given to it on the legal scene has resulted from the spread of industrialization and urbanization in many areas of the world. Environmental problems have been emerging at an increasing pace and society has become concerned, even alarmed, about the degradation of the environment. In light of these developments, courts and legislatures have generously responded. The use of nuisance law as a deterrent to pollution and as a means to internalize the costs of land use has a long history, beginning in English case law. While nuisance law has been used effectively in environmental control, its contributions will always be limited. Nuisance litigation is cumbersome and costly for dealing with modern environmental problems, because the problems tend to be the result of multiple causes, involving scientifically complex issues and having widespread effects with many victims. In the opinion of J. Dukemenier and J. Krier, nuisance litigation is ill-suited to other than small-scale, incidental, localized scientifically uncomplicated pollution problems. Admittedly, some efforts have been made to overcome the shortcomings of nuisance litigation by using class action suits. The fact remains that alternative methods must be used in resolving most environmental issues.