The three volumes of Environmental Policy in an International Context have been developed by the Dutch and UK Open Universities as part of the International Environmental Series. They accompany a workbook and six videos. The first volume takes a critical and analytical look at contemporary environmental issues built around the key questions - what are international and environmental problems; and why have they become important politically? These questions are examined from a variety of viewpoints - science, sociology, politics, law and economics. A multi-disciplinary approach is emphasised and it shows how both technical and scientific solutions need to be sought alongside.