Environmental law

Abstract

Although there were laws that related to various forms of environmental pollution before the nineteenth century, it was during that century when the foundations of modern environmental law were laid. The Industrial Revolution forced many of those who were employed in the country to work in factories that were situated in towns. This caused a rapid expansion of industrial towns as a consequence. An unbearable strain was placed on the housing stock. Furthermore, in order to accommodate this rapid influx of population, landlords, many of whom were also employers, either subdivided their houses or erected jerry-built property for the purpose.