Are we on the verge of a global environmental catastrophe, or is a modest revision of environmental policy all that is necessary to ensure our safety and prosperity? This collection of essays considers both scenarios, and those between the two extremes, in its examination of current trends and challenges in managing environmental issues. Parson's introductory essay sets the stage for the discussions to follow. It provides background by sketching the Canadian institutional context for environmental protection, describing the major pollutant burdens and the state pf the natural resources, and summarizing the most salient policy issues.