This principle has gained fame (and an equal measure of notoriety) in the last few years and is now a guiding principle in environmental policy and decision making with the United Nations and many countries around the world.

FORBES: InfosysVoice: Internally or externally, the environment figures in a business plan

While the precautionary principle enjoys considerable support from environmental activists, politicians, and indeed, some scientists, as a law, it is inherently vague.

FORBES: Scientists Recommend Canadian Regulation Be More Reasonable; Government Listens

In principle, there are three ways of limiting human environmental impacts: through population policy, technology and governance.

ECONOMIST: Demography, growth and the environment

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he backs a new runway "in principle" but pledged to look at "all the environmental considerations".

BBC: Labour MPs urge third runway vote

On National Hunting and Fishing Day, we pay tribute to the community of sportsmen and women who have kept faith with that fundamental principle, and who will continue to help drive our environmental progress in the years to come.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

As has been thoroughly documented by Lawrence Kogan of the Institute for Trade, Standards and Sustainable Development, the marine environmental protection requirements emanating from LOST are rooted in the European-derived "precautionary principle, " a legal tenet requiring assurance that a proposed action will cause no harm to the environment before proceeding.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: LOST oil prophets

While studying for my course in Environmental Economics (at the nth moment and the night before my Environmental Policy exam, I might add) I came across what is commonly known as the Precautionary Principle.

FORBES: InfosysVoice: Internally or externally, the environment figures in a business plan

As a matter of principle, they should not accept the use by developed countries of trade sanctions to tackle labor and environmental issues.

FORBES: Commentary: On Events at Home and Abroad