Environmental stories have all the elements that make for a good tale - villains that plunge us into drama and danger, and heroes that speak up for the victims and fight for positive change. Case Studies in Environmental Law and Policy illuminates the interplay between environmental laws and policies and the people and groups who influence their development and implementation. Through the stories of four major industrial disasters - the Union Carbide chemical plant explosion, the BP oil spill, the Upper Big Branch Mine explosion, and the long-term asbestos poisoning in Libby, Montana - this book examines how organizational breakdowns and lapses in environmental protections caused these disasters, and how attitudes and laws changed (or not) as a result. It also explores the more uplifting tales of environmental heroes like Gaylord Nelson and Julia Bonds and how their activism has shaped and influenced US environmental politics and policies. Case Studies in Environmental Law and Policy concludes with a discussion of how the "rest of us" can participate in everyday environmental actions, hold corporations and the government accountable, and lobby for additional environmental protections. With its compelling case studies and calls to action, this book is essential for all who wish to gain a deeper understanding of how US environmental policies and laws have developed and transformed - and how they can continue to do so.