We need a new kind of law if we are to save our life support systems and ourselves.

Global civilisation is in a very deep hole that is beginning to look unnervingly like a grave. Climate change, the loss of fertile soils, the depletion and pollution of freshwater supplies, the destruction of forests and fish stocks, declines in biological diversity at rates not seen for 15 million years and growing human populations and consumption patterns all pose potentially fatal challenges to contemporary human cultures for which we have no convincing answer. In these situations it is important to bear in mind British labour politician Denis Healey’s remark that: “If you are in a hole, stop digging!” This begs the question: “What have we been doing to create the hole that we are in?”