Considering Mediation Style in Complex Environmental Conflict

As the global climate changes, disputes over the environment will flood a United States legal system that is currently not equipped with the legislation to make environmentally sound decisions. For decades, mediation has been seen as an ideal alternative to legislating environmental disputes because it is cost-effective, time-efficient, and can yield results of equal or better quality. Upon examining the different schools of mediation through an environmental lens, mediators oriented towards a facilitative approach while utilizing key aspects of an advisory approach are best equipped to mediate environmental conflicts.