Toward Integral Security: How Environmental Protection Was Incorporated into the United Nations System and Why it Matters Today and Tomorrow

How did the United Nations - an international organization built on 19th century worldviews and state-centric structures, integrate 21st century challenges of environmental protection into its mission and programs? The UN Charter includes no mandate for environmental protection. Ecological integrity was not included in the scope of peace and security held by member states when they ratified the UN Charter. Yet, despite this and other historical, philosophical and structural limitations, the UN became the leading body for the development of global environmental policy.