Indigenous people used prescribed burns in forests for thousands of years to manage land, reduce wildfire risk, and support cultural practices. Noa Ervin and Claire McLeod of Beveridge & Diamond interview Deniss Martinez, PhD Candidate at the University of California Davis, focusing on how colonial governments and land management agencies have suppressed these practices, and highlight the recent progress in restoring Indigenous fire management.
Youth lawsuit challenging Montana's pro-fossil fuel policies is heading to trial
AP News by Amy Beth Hanson, Matthew Brown, & Drew Costley
May 12, 2023
A Montana judge on Friday said a climate change lawsuit from young people challenging the state’s pro-fossil fuel policies will proceed to trial despite efforts by the state to derail the case. The upcoming trial in Helena would be the first of its kind in the United States, according to experts in climate law who said the nation is lagging behind the rest of the world in terms of climate litigation. However, because of prior rulings that limited the scope of the Montana case, a victory for the plaintiffs would not automatically alter the state’s regulation of fossil fuels. . . .
Climate change lawsuit led by young people challenging Montana's pro-fossil policies goes to trial
Les Actualites (French)
May 13, 2023
A U.S. judge has said a climate change lawsuit filed by young people challenging Montana's pro-fossil fuel policies will go to trial despite the state's efforts to derail the case. . . .
What an International Court of Justice climate ruling could do
Axios (by Andrew Freedman)
In 2011, the Marshall Islands and Palau sought to put a climate case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. It failed to gain enough traction. Why it matters: On Wednesday, the UN General Assembly took the extraordinary step of adopting, by consensus, a resolution that would do just that. It's asking the court for an advisory opinion laying out what countries' obligations are to protect the climate in order to secure human rights. . . .
Tiny island nation takes climate change to The Hague
Axios (by Andrew Freedman)
March 24, 2023
The small Pacific island country of Vanuatu is poised to gain UN approval to seek an unprecedented legal opinion on what obligation countries have to combat climate change. Why it matters: Vanuatu's resolution would give the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague a chance to weigh in on potential consequences for nations that have caused much of global warming to date. . . .
False Advertising Isn't First Amendment-Protected Free Speech, Lawyer Explains in New Paper
Daily KOS
January 27, 2023
Whenever anyone dares to suggest that disinformation is bad, one of the most common knee-jerk reactions is to cry, 'The First Amendment protects freedom of speech!' But the fossil fuel industry's false advertising isn't protected by the First Amendment, and you don't have to take our word for it. . . .
John Nolon: A career in land use law and conservationism
Westchester & Fairfield County Business Journal (by Edward Arriaza)
January 23, 2023
John Nolon, distinguished professor of law emeritus at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, is widely seen as one of the most prominent thought leaders in land use law. The roots of this focus, which fueled a career that spanned decades, can be traced to his childhood on a ranch in Nebraska. . . .
Wetlands are critical infrastructure for coastal areas and species, but they are also integral to the culture of local communities. This week’s episode features Louisiana 4-H’s Wetlands Youth Ambassadors, young leaders working to protect and restore the state’s wetlands. The ambassadors share their personal experiences growing up near and in coastal wetlands, discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Louisiana's wetlands, and their work to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is playing a major role in setting air quality standards across the country and world. Led by Dr. Steven Cliff, the agency works closely with scientists, industry, and other regulatory bodies to create a carbon-neutral California by 2045. In this episode, Dr. Cliff joins Justin Savage and Maureen Gorsen of Sidley Austin LLP to discuss how CARB’s work is considering environmental justice, rethinking and electrifying their transportation infrastructure, and automated driving.