Shows
People Places PlanetELI Intern Minisode: The 30x30 Initiative in California and Environmental Justice in the Farm BillAt the Environmental Law Institute, interns have the opportunity to develop independent research projects based off their interests. In this episode of the People Places Planet Podcast, ELI’s summer interns, Sarah Cheung and Aneeza Ahmad, join host Dara Albrecht to share more about who they are, their independent research on the 30x30 Initiative in California and on Environmental Justice in the Farm Bill, and lessons they've taken from their time at ELI.
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2024-11-0116 minPeople Places PlanetHere's To New Adventures: Farewell to Our 2022 Research AssociatesIn this week’s episode of People Places Planet Podcast, three of ELI's four outgoing Research Associates (Sarah Backer, Ella Stack, and Tori Rickman) sit down with host Dara Albrecht to reflect on their experiences as Research Associates. The three share who they are, what brought them to ELI, the research projects they worked on, and the lessons they will take with them moving forward.
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2024-10-3018 minPeople Places PlanetPlanted! How Local Governments are Increasing the Availability of Plant-Based Proteins to Reduce Emissions from FoodMany municipal buildings, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and workplace cafeterias do not offer plant-based entrees. Making plant-based meals the default or even simply offering a plant-based option can help to reduce food-related emissions. In this episode, hosts Sarah Backer and Linda Breggin explore the rang of actions in municipal climate action plans aimed at increasing the availability of plant-based proteins. Hear from Rachel Atcheson about how New York City is reducing their emissions while saving on food costs, from Angela Baucom on how Austin is promoting food equity, and from Katie Cantrell on the different behavioral science strategies local governments...
2024-10-1636 minPeople Places PlanetPlanted! How Local Governments are Engaging the Public on the Benefits of Plant-Based ProteinsThere are myriad ways to engage the public on the climate, health, and other benefits of plant-based proteins—from launching awareness campaigns to providing food sampling opportunities at municipal events. In this podcast, Sarah Backer and Linda Breggin learn about the efforts of a local government and nonprofit as well as get advice from a social psychology expert about how research findings can inform engagement strategies. Hear from Sarah Gardner about how Iowa City is partnering with farmers markets and other community organizations, Naijha Wright-Brown on how her non-profit launched a plant-based Restaurant Week in Baltimore, and from Toby Pa...
2024-10-0342 minPeople Places PlanetPlanted! How Local Governments Can Measure and Tackle Food-Related EmissionsVery few municipal sustainability initiatives to date have focused on food-related emissions and specifically the relatively low carbon footprint of plant-based proteins, despite the fact that food accounts for over 25% of the average American household’s carbon footprint. And research indicates that without lowering the emissions associated with food consumption, we will be unable to meet global climate targets. In this episode, hosts Sarah Backer and Linda Breggin seek to understand why localities have been slow to move on reducing carbon emissions related to food consumption and speak to local governments that are leading the way on measuring, tracking, an...
2024-09-1136 minPeople Places PlanetState of the Environment: How States Are Leading the Charge on Environmental Protection (feat. Elizabeth Biser and Ben Grumbles)Over 90% of US primary environmental laws are implemented and enforced at the state level. The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) plays a critical role in empowering state environmental agencies and program leaders to improve human health and protect the environment. Elizabeth Biser, ECOS President and Secretary of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, joins the podcast with Ben Grumbles, Executive Director of ECOS, to discuss the importance of state environmental programs, the challenges they face, and how ECOS is building environmental partnerships for success.
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2024-09-0422 minPeople Places PlanetThe Clean Air Act, ExplainedHave you seen the images of urban smog from the 1960s? Although there is still progress to be made, U.S. air quality has dramatically improved over the past 50 years. We have the Clean Air Act to thank. Passed in 1970, the Act gave the newly formed EPA the legal authority to regulate air pollution. In this episode, ELI Staff Attorney Jarryd Page breaks down how the Clean Air Act works and why it matters today.Relevant Resources: Chevron Deference in the Dock: SCOTUS and the Future of Environmental ProtectionCommunity Lawyering for Environmental Justice Part 9...
2024-08-2930 minPeople Places PlanetLaw of the Land: Towards a More Sustainable Food SystemFrom producing food deserts and food swamps to negatively impacting biodiversity and ecosystem health, land use laws have shaped America’s food system for decades. Unfortunately, the shape the food system has taken perpetuates serious inequities. In this episode, Jonathan Rosenbloom, law professor and author of Remarkable Cities and the Security and Sovereignty of Food and Nutrition, explains how changes to local development codes and zoning laws can promote food and nutrition security and sovereignty across the country. In conversation with host Sarah Backer, Rosenbloom shares recommendations and paths forward for creating a more equitable and sustainable food system....
2024-06-2620 minPeople Places PlanetChevron Deference in the Dock: SCOTUS and the Future of Environmental ProtectionGood environmental governance has long relied on sound, science-based agency decisionmaking. That fundamental premise may be eroding as a landscape that was stable for decades continues to shift—with more perhaps yet to come. Host Sarah Backer and Jarryd Page, co-author of a new ELI research report, discuss the findings of the report which includes landmark SCOTUS cases and what the future of environmental protection might look like in the wake of Chevron's demise.
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2024-06-1323 minPeople Places PlanetEnchanted and Endangered: Wetlands Restoration in New MexicoWhile often overlooked, wetlands in New Mexico are integral to ecological balance, water filtration, and the local flora and fauna. Maryann McGraw, Wetlands Program Coordinator for the New Mexico Environmental Department, has played a pivotal role in developing wetlands monitoring, mapping, assessment, and restoration strategies for the state. In this episode, the 2018 State, Tribal, and Local Program Development Winner discusses the importance of local partnerships in wetlands restoration and the new state programming strategies being considered in the aftermath of Sackett v. EPA.
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2024-06-1016 minPeople Places PlanetScience to the People: Engaging Communities in Wetlands RestorationWhat role can communities play in wetlands restoration? Jess Hua, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Hua Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading research that looks into ecological interactions of wetlands and how citizen science shapes community perceptions of these natural environments. In this episode, the 2022 National Wetlands Awardee discusses how diverse communication strategies can lead to a greater understanding of wetlands restoration and why it is important to center community perspectives in wetlands education. In honor of American Wetlands Month, ELI is celebrating the National Wetlands Awards (NWA). Since 1989, the NWAs ha...
2024-05-2813 minPeople Places PlanetShoreline Solutions: Public-Private Partnerships for Florida's WetlandsWetlands don't distinguish between public and private land. What does that mean for restoration practitioners? Tom Ries, founder of Ecosphere Restoration Institute, is an expert at leveraging public-private partnerships to maximize restoration efforts. In this episode, the 2013 National Wetlands Awardee discusses how living shorelines build resilience to climate change and his work to restore and protect wetlands in Florida.In honor of American Wetlands Month, ELI is celebrating the National Wetlands Awards (NWA). Since 1989, the NWAs have been presented annually to individuals who have excelled in wetlands protection, restoration, and education. On this special miniseries of People...
2024-05-1616 minPeople Places PlanetNo Wetlands, No Seafood: How Wilmington, NC is Balancing Conservation and DevelopmentWith ecosystems ranging from lush wetlands to rolling forests, North Carolina hosts an incredible array of habitats. Incredibly, biologically diverse wetlands make up 12% of its land. But as one of the fastest-growing states, these vital habitats face increasing threats—including draining and infilling for development. Host Sarah Backer sits down with two Wilmington locals: Sam Shores, a World Wildlife Fund Panda Ambassador and conservation activist, and Roger Shew, Senior Lecturer at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Together, they discuss innovative climate-resilient development strategies, the pivotal role of conservation education, and the dynamic advocacy efforts shaping North Carolina's environmental future.
2024-05-0920 minPeople Places PlanetThe Enforcement Angle: New Generation of Nuclear - Advanced ReactorsThe U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC” or the “Agency”) licenses and regulates the civilian and commercial use of nuclear power and radioactive materials, including traditional and advanced reactors. Advanced reactor technologies are poised to provide a lower-cost option for carbon-free electricity and can power a broad range of applications including existing power grids, small energy grids (remote areas without connectivity to transmission infrastructure), small electrical markets, and industrial facilities. In this episode, Robert Taylor, the Deputy Office Director for New Reactors in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation at the NRC, takes listeners behind the scenes and discusses the Agen...
2024-05-0637 minPeople Places PlanetReflecting on a Half Century of Environmental Law, Policy, and GovernanceEach April, we celebrate the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This movement resulted in the creation of many of the United States' foundational environmental laws. And, amidst this burgeoning movement, the Environmental Law Institute was established in December 1969. ELI has since played a pivotal role in shaping the fields of environmental law, policy, and governance, delivering insightful, independent, and research-based analysis to policymakers and the public. In honor of Earth Month, ELI President Jordan Diamond joins the podcast to offer her insights into the impact (past, present, and future) of ELI.
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2024-04-3017 minPeople Places PlanetHonoring Mud Lake This Earth DayMud Lake, written and illustrated by 2020 National Wetlands Award winner Sam Lovall, is a collection of short adventure stories set in the 1960s and 70s about children freely exploring the natural world in Haslett, Michigan. The book is an engaging testament to the beauty and importance of nature, making it a perfect read in time for Earth Day. Weaving storytelling and technical research about ecosystems and climate change, Mud Lake manages to be both fun and educational for all ages. In this week’s episode, host Sarah Backer is joined by author Sam Lovall to discuss what (and who) ins...
2024-04-2219 minPeople Places PlanetNEPA, ExplainedWhen airports, buildings, highways, dams, power plants, and other federal activities are proposed, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements are invoked. Passed by Congress in 1969 and signed into law on January 1, 1970, NEPA fundamentally altered how lawmakers and regulators approach human impacts on the natural world. Despite significant success in involving the public in decision-making, NEPA regulations have been criticized for delaying projects and raising costs. In this episode, ELI Senior Attorney Amy Reed breaks down how NEPA works and explains proposed regulation changes. Relevant Resources: Vibrant Environment, Proposed NEPA Rule Goes All-In on Environmental Justice...
2024-04-1124 minPeople Places PlanetELR Spotlight: A Primer on Climate Justice Litigation in the United StatesOver the last three decades, numerous studies have concluded that African American, Hispanic, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and working-class White communities are disproportionately exposed to environmental harms and climate risks. Several states have initiated litigation to address this environmental and public health issue. In this episode, Barry E. Hill and Emily Bergeron discuss their April 2024 ELR article Climate Justice Litigation in the United States—A Primer and explore how states and tribes can learn from Kivalina.
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2024-04-0520 minPeople Places PlanetDiplomacy Required: Women, Water, and PeaceThe theme of this year’s World Water Day is “Water for Peace”. With over 2 billion people around the world lacking clean water access, tensions can arise within communities and between countries. Further complicating the issue, around 40 percent of the global population lives in a transboundary river basin, making transboundary water cooperation essential to effective water resource management. This episode explores how the Women in Water Diplomacy Network is empowering global women water decision-makers and experts to strengthen transboundary water cooperation. Host Sarah Backer is joined by Elizabeth Koch, Senior Manager for International Programs at ELI, and Gwendena Lee-Gatewood, the Co...
2024-03-2221 minPeople Places PlanetUnleash the Green: Legal and Policy Solutions for Green StartupsGreen startups are imagining solutions to the climate crisis and leading the transition to a sustainable economy. Yet sustainable entrepreneurship remains incredibly daunting given market challenges, long pathways to commercial viability, and an ill-suited investor landscape. In this episode, host Sarah Backer sits down with Jesse Lazarus, Associate Attorney with the Energy and Climate Solutions practice of Wilson Sonsini, to discuss the legal and policy solutions that could enable green startups to thrive to in turn help accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. Read the full Environmental Law Reporter article: Dismantling Roadblocks to a Sustainable Transition.
2024-03-1424 minPeople Places PlanetHow Can Business Help Solve the Freshwater Crisis?Billions of people around the globe lack adequate access to clean water. This freshwater crisis will be exacerbated by climate change. Liquid Asset: How Business and Government Can Partner to Solve the Freshwater Crisis explores the rapidly expanding role of private businesses and markets in ensuring supply of clean, safe, reliable, and affordable water. In this week’s episode of People Places Planet, Phillip Womble, postdoctoral scholar at the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University, sits down with author Buzz Thompson. Thompson is a Robert E. Paradise Professor of Natural Resources Law at Stanford Law School and a...
2024-02-2936 minPeople Places PlanetCumulative Impact Analysis: Massachusetts, EPA, and BeyondCommunities are exposed to pollution through the air, water, and land. Multiple sources of pollution and other environmental stressors can add up over time to cause adverse effects to human health and wellbeing. This is known as “cumulative impacts.” Environmental justice (EJ) communities tend to face greater cumulative impacts, as they are disproportionately exposed to multiple environmental, health, and social stressors. This episode of Groundtruth discusses new regulations in Massachusetts involving cumulative impact analyses for air permit issues in areas near EJ communities. Join Lauren Karam, Beveridge & Diamond's Boston Associate, Stella Keck, a Senior Scientist at Roux, and Andrew Shap...
2024-02-2335 minPeople Places PlanetConfidence in Climate Science: How Consensus Emerges in the Scientific CommunityBuilding scientific agreement is a meticulous process. In climate science, this process has faced a lot of outside scrutiny. In this episode, ELI’s Staff Scientist Dr. John Doherty joins Host Sarah Backer to discuss the responsibilities of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and how they are communicating what we know about climate change. Relevant Resources: The Fifth National Climate Assessment Gives a Unique Spotlight to Climate Justice by John Doherty The Climate Judiciary Project
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2024-02-0818 minPeople Places PlanetSwamps, Science, and Sackett: ELI's Approach to Wetland PreservationWhat do Wetlands have to do with wellbeing? As vibrant and critical ecosystems, wetlands provide economic, cultural, and climate benefits to communities worldwide. Yet, wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. ELI’s Wetlands Program is working to prevent these losses and reverse the trend. From breaking the news on national legal developments to spotlighting local leaders, ELI is the place for all things wetlands. In honor of World Wetlands Day, host Sarah Backer sits down with Rebecca Kihslinger, Senior Science and Policy Analyst at ELI and the Director of the Wetlands Program, Staff Attorney Tess Wilkerson, and Research As...
2024-02-0219 minPeople Places PlanetFrom Dubai with Dedication: Navigating COP28 Climate CommitmentsA lot has been said about COP28. It has been described as a success, failure, and everything in between, but what actually happened? This week, host Sarah Backer is joined by Jennifer Huang, Associate Director of International Strategies at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and Kaveh Guilanpour, Vice President of International Strategies at C2ES. Jennifer and Kaveh discuss their experiences at COP28 in Dubai and evaluate the success of COP28 and the global stocktake in galvanizing climate action and adaptation.
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2024-01-2528 minPeople Places PlanetEvery Drop Counts: At the Confluence of Water and LawIt’s undeniable that we take water access for granted – until we don’t have it or until water quality degrades, anyways. With at least forty states anticipating water shortages this year, using water efficiently is more important than ever. This week, Sarah Backer is joined by Mary Ann Dickinson, Co-Chair of the Water and Planning Network for the American Planning Association, and Adam Schempp, Senior Attorney at ELI, to discuss water conservation strategies, the influence of law, and progress toward achieving reliable and safe water supplies today and in the future.
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2024-01-1932 minPeople Places PlanetCan Fashion Ever Be Sustainable? Maybe.Consumers are seeking out ethically made and climate-friendly apparel to gift this holiday season. But how do they know whether their purchases are truly sustainable or eco-friendly? This week’s podcast episode explores the rise of greenwashing claims and the role of the Federal Trade Commission in guiding the industry and holding companies accountable for deceptive marketing claims. Host Sarah Backer sits down with Carolyn Kennedy, a 2024 JD Candidate at the Georgetown University Law Center, and Derek Sabori, an apparel industry veteran with more than 26 years of experience to discuss legal and industry perspectives on sustainable fashion.
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2023-12-2025 minPeople Places PlanetThe Enforcement Angle: David Uhlmann and OECA The EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) develops the Agency’s national strategy to enforce compliance with federal environmental statutes. Led by Assistant Administrator, David M. Uhlmann, OECA sets national enforcement priorities, and coordinates with EPA regions and the U.S. Department of Justice to address environmental noncompliance, which can include civil and criminal actions. In this episode, Mr. Uhlmann joins Justin Savage to discuss OECA’s national and enforcement compliance initiatives for fiscal years 2024-2027, environmental justice, PFAS and climate enforcement goals.
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2023-12-1344 minPeople Places PlanetGoverning for Sustainability: A Conversation with Scott Schang and John DernbachThe United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 integrated goals that address global challenges, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, the environment, peace and justice. Advancing the SDGs in the US would help to make the US a better place for all. In this episode, host Sarah Backer is joined by editors John Dernbach and Scott Schang to discuss their ELI Press-published book, Governing for Sustainability. The book provides a detailed set of recommendations for federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, as well as the private sector and civil society organized around the SDGs. Scott an...
2023-12-0629 minPeople Places PlanetCOP28 Special: The Global Stocktake and Climate EquityToday is the first day of COP28, where participants will discuss the first-ever global stocktake, an assessment of global action on climate change to date. The global stocktake report includes an inventory of climate-related data which evaluates whether the world is on track to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. The goal is for countries and other actors to use these technical findings to step up political actions and set more ambitious national targets and actions, to accelerate global climate action. In this week’s episode, host Sarah Backer dives into the equity and environmental justice co...
2023-12-0125 minPeople Places PlanetEat Your T(of)urkey: How to Reduce Food Waste This ThanksgivingAn estimated 312 million pounds of food will be wasted this Thanksgiving. In this week’s episode, host Sarah Backer is joined by ELI Senior Attorney Linda Breggin and Research Associate Elly Beckerman to discuss the food waste problem and some easy solutions for this holiday season—and throughout the year. Linda is the co-director of ELI’s Food Waste Initiative which conducts research and works with stakeholders to prevent food waste, increase surplus food donation, and recycle the remaining food scraps. Elly joins to discuss her personal experiences as a home cook invested in reducing food waste over the holida...
2023-11-2115 minPeople Places PlanetGroundtruth: Valuing Lived Experience and Fostering Meaningful Community EngagementThe Biden-Harris administration has placed an unprecedented federal focus on environmental justice using a whole of government approach, including issuing executive orders demanding accountability and action from a broad list of federal agencies and requiring input from impacted communities. In this week’s episode of Groundtruth, Beveridge & Diamond Associate Hilary Jacobs meets with Ebony Griffin of Earthjustice for a focused conversation about environmental justice and community engagement. They also discuss how regulators and companies can meaningfully engage with impacted communities to address environmental justice concerns.
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2023-11-1421 minPeople Places PlanetDr. Marshall Shepherd and “The Climate Moonshot”In this week’s episode of People Places Planet Podcast, host Sarah Backer sits down with Dr. Marshall Shepherd, ELI’s 2023 Environmental Achievement Award recipient and renowned scientist, to have a conversation in celebration of his work. They discuss Shepherd’s background, inspirations, and views on solutions for the climate crisis. He delves into topics like climate delayism and the need for a “climate moonshot,” providing a self-proclaimed “Weather Geek” perspective into extreme weather events, environmental justice issues, and other important climate issues facing our communities today.
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2023-11-0927 minPeople Places PlanetWeighing The Social Cost of Carbon with Cass Sunstein and Kip ViscusiIn this week’s episode of the People Places Planet podcast, Harvard Law Professor Cass Sunstein engages in an illuminating discussion with Vanderbilt Professor W. Kip Viscusi about the social cost of carbon—a hotly debated and frequently litigated number—that is used to quantify the harm caused by one ton of carbon emissions. They are joined by ELI Senior Attorney Linda K. Breggin and Vanderbilt Law student Kyle Blasinsky. This important number is used in developing a range of regulations and soon will be used in federal budgeting and purchasing decisions, as well as National Environmental Policy Act review...
2023-10-2532 minPeople Places PlanetHear from ELI’s Summer Interns: Substantive Due Process in Climate Litigation, Caribbean Climate Migration, and Community Gardening in California In this week’s episode of People Places Planet Podcast, ELI’s three summer interns (Anna Guzman, Natalie Triana, and Alex Alvarez) sit down with host Sarah Backer to reflect on their experience as summer interns, share who they are, their interests, and what brought them to ELI. They delve into their independent research projects, which cover substantive due process claims in climate litigation, climate migration issues in the Caribbean, and community gardening in California.
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2023-10-1129 minPeople Places PlanetNot All Environmental Rights Amendments Are Created Equally: The Climate Science Behind Held v. MontanaIn this week’s 'court watch' episode of the People, Places, and Planet podcast, Host Sarah Backer and guests ELI Staff Attorney Jarryd Page and Science Fellow John Doherty, dive into how the youth-led constitutional climate case of Held v. State of Montana incorporated climate science and the implications that Judge Kathy Seeley’s decision might have for future climate litigation. Jarryd and John both work for ELI’s Climate Judiciary Project (CJP). CJP collaborates with leading national judicial education institutions to provide neutral, objective information to the judiciary about climate science and how it interacts with the law. You...
2023-09-1322 minPeople Places PlanetFarewell, Georgia Ray! A Special Behind-the-Scenes EpisodeGeorgia Ray joined ELI as a Research Associate in August 2021 and has been the Host of People, Places, and Planet for the past year. At ELI, Georgia also worked on projects related to best practices for sustainable land-based aquaculture, wetlands for hazard mitigations, green technology, and the digital economy and the environment. In this episode, join our new podcast host, Sarah Backer, as she learns more about Georgia’s environmental interests and her favorite People, Places, Planet podcast episodes, while gaining insight into the behind-the-scenes podcast production process.
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2023-09-0722 minPeople Places PlanetFrom Trash to Triumph: The Mount Growmore InitiativeIn this week's episode of the People Places Planet Podcast, host Georgia Ray dives deep into an incredible transformation journey with her guests Debbie Sims, Suzi Ruhl, David Cash, and Bill Coleman. Together, they discuss the evolution of Bridgeport, Connecticut's once-neglected Mount Trashmore into the thriving Mount Growmore agricultural, wellness, and learning campus. Tune in to explore the significance of community-driven solutions, the power of inter-sectoral government collaboration, the importance of trusted relationships with academia, and the essential steps that other communities can take to replicate such transformative projects. This episode promises a compelling narrative of turning environmental challenges...
2023-08-3043 minPeople Places PlanetProtecting Half the Land: Reimagining How We Interact with the Environment with Author Tony HissPeople view and value the land in different ways, and these attitudes have significant implications for the environmental movement. In this episode of the People Places Planet Podcast, ELI Staff Attorney Jarryd Page interviews award-winning author Tony Hiss, who recently published a book titled Rescuing the Planet: Protecting Half the Land to Heal the Earth. The conversation covers the importance of biodiversity and land conservation for climate regulation, the role that industry plays in the environmental movement, and how people experience public spaces.
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2023-08-1630 minPeople Places PlanetThe Fight for Forests: Green Militarization in Latin AmericaEnvironmental laws and the judiciary can play a role in preventing deforestation across Latin America. In this episode, host Georgia Ray speaks with Kristine Perry, a Staff Attorney at ELI, and Juan Corredor-Garcia author of “War on Deforestation” about the ongoing court cases and military action playing a role in environmental protection. Read “Deforestación y Derecho” here and find Juan’s report – “War on Deforestation” – here.
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2023-07-2630 minPeople Places PlanetSensing a Change in the Air: How Local Governments Can Respond and Adapt to Shifts in Air Quality Monitoring TechnologyRecent wildfire smoke events have highlighted the value of air quality measurement. But how does it really work, anyways? From the latest technologies and regulations to the unique challenges faced by local governments and tribes, this week's guests discuss the transforming landscape of air quality monitoring. Join hosts Georgia Ray and Ella Stack; and guests Chet Wayland from the EPA, Christopher Lee from Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center, and Miles Keogh from the National Association of Clean Air Agencies for the discussion. This episode is part of ELI's Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN).
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2023-07-1939 minPeople Places PlanetOf Fish and Farms: Investigating Land-Based Aquaculture's PromisesFish consumption is on the rise worldwide, and with it, fish farming. Land-based aquaculture and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) offer a lot of environmental promise, but do they live up to the hype? In this episode host Georgia Ray discusses the findings of a new ELI report, Fish Forward. Georgia is joined by Elissa Torres-Soto, Irene Jandoc, and Cynthia R. Harris as they explore the ways to measure the effectiveness of RAS facilities in Maine, the regulatory environment, and how the UAE might be a surprisingly helpful case study for best practice industry standards.
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2023-07-1447 minPeople Places PlanetSedimentary, My Dear Watson: How Coastal Resilience is Affected by Sediment Placement RegulationDid you know that sediment could be a critical resource for coastal resilience? In this episode of the People Places Planet Podcast, host Georgia Ray speaks with Derek Brockbank of the Coastal States Organization (CSO) and Dr. Nicole Elko of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) about sediment placement regulations and the beneficial use of dredged material. Brockbank and Dr. Elko recently published a report that provides a comparative analysis of state and federal regulations on sediment in coastal zones. They discuss the role of sediment on coastal protection and restoration, obstacles to beneficial use, and best...
2023-06-2834 minPeople Places PlanetDiscussions with ELI’s Spring Interns: The Nagoya Protocol and India’s Green Hydrogen InvestmentsAt the Environmental Law Institute, interns have the opportunity to develop independent research projects based off their interests. In this episode of the People Places Planet Podcast, ELI’s spring interns, Jenny Tseng and Abhi Vishwanath, join host Georgia Ray to share more about who they are, their independent research work on The Nagoya Protocol and India's Green Hydrogen Investments, and broader projects that they have worked on at the organization.
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2023-06-1431 minPeople Places Planet2023 National Wetlands Awards: Scott Fisher, Local Stewardship Award WinnerLanguage changes how we perceive the world around us, and Scott Fisher is no stranger to that concept. Conversant in the Hawaiin language, Scott’s work centers community involvement with the intention of cultivating a loving and caring relationship of the land. His work at the Hawaiʻi Land Trust (HILT) combines sustainable indigineous land management techniques and research on natural bioshields. In this miniseries, ELI’s Georgia Ray sits down with each of the 2023 National Wetlands Awardees.
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2023-06-0214 minPeople Places Planet2023 National Wetlands Awards: Bingqing Liu, Scientific Research Award WinnerFrom remote sensing to carbon sequestration, Bingqing Liu has the research to back it up. Dr. Liu’s work at The Water Institute is taking a deep look at how coastal restoration projects along Louisiana's coast can mitigate climate events and the carbon capturing potential of local ecosystems. In this miniseries, ELI’s Georgia Ray sits down with each of the 2023 National Wetlands Awardees.
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2023-05-3112 minPeople Places Planet2023 National Wetlands Awards: Rebecca Swadek, Wetlands Program Development Award WinnerNew York City might not be the concrete jungle you think it is. Rebecca Swadek has secured over $22 million in city and grant funding to implement wetlands projects across the city and has co-authored a thirty-year plan for the continued protection, restoration, and care of the city wetlands. In this miniseries, ELI’s Georgia Ray sits down with each of the 2023 National Wetlands Awardees.
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2023-05-2613 minPeople Places Planet2023 National Wetlands Awards: Matthew Hough, Promoting Awareness Award WinnerPromoting awareness is never easy–especially when you're talking to an uninformed and sometimes resistant public. Despite the difficulty, Matt Hough has been instrumental in galvanizing support for wetlands in Kansas leading to conservation efforts totaling approximately 78,000 wetlands acres in just 11 years. In this miniseries, ELI’s Georgia Ray sits down with each of the 2023 National Wetlands Awardees.
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2023-05-2511 minPeople Places Planet2023 National Wetlands Awards: Charlotte Michaluk, Youth Leadership Award WinnerCharlotte Michaluk has been a successful, data-driven advocate for wetland conservation and a continuous force in educating the community, notably through her wetland monitoring curriculums—all before the age of 18. In this miniseries, ELI’s Georgia Ray sits down with each of the 2023 National Wetlands Awardees.
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2023-05-2411 minPeople Places Planet2023 National Wetlands Awards: Adam Davis, Business Leadership Award WinnerPhilanthropic and government resources alone can’t afford to restore all our wetlands. Over the past two decades, Adam Davis’ thought leadership has increased private capital available for large-scale, multi-benefit wetland restoration projects nationally. In this miniseries, ELI’s Georgia Ray sits down with each of the 2023 National Wetlands Awardees.
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2023-05-2315 minPeople Places PlanetGroundtruth: Cultural Burns as Tools for Wildfire Prevention and Indigenous HealingIndigenous 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.
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2023-05-1740 minPeople Places PlanetThe Enforcement Angle: Driving California Toward Carbon-Neutrality with Dr. Steven CliffThe 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.
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2023-05-0340 minPeople Places PlanetSea-Level Rise and Coastal Resilience with Lawyers and Authors Susan Crawford and Robert VerchickIn this podcast episode, Jeffrey Peterson interviews Susan Crawford and Robert Verchick, two noted lawyers who have new books on climate adaptation and coastal resilience published in April 2023. The interview covers a wide range of topics, including the challenges posed by sea-level rise, the importance of social justice in climate adaptation, and the role of law in addressing climate change.
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2023-04-2636 minPeople Places PlanetDrinking Water in LA CountyDrinking water in the United States is among the world’s cleanest and most heavily regulated, yet entire grocery store aisles are dedicated to bottled water. Why is this? In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray speaks with Cindy Donis, a community organizer for East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, and Gregory Pierce, director of the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab within UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation. Cindy and Gregory offer background on drinking water contamination in LA County, California, and share what needs to happen at the local, state, and federal level to combat negative perceptions about...
2023-04-1939 minPeople Places PlanetThe Youth Review: Government-to-Government Consultation with Tribal Nations During Constant Environmental ChangeAs sovereign nations, a unique relationship exists between Tribal Nations and the U.S. federal government, which is grounded in the U.S. Constitution. An integral component of this relationship is a process known as “government-to-government consultation,” or, colloquially, a “G2G.” In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray speaks with Meghan Gavin, a lawyer and partner at Cascadia Law Group, to learn about G2G consultation with Tribes in Washington state, the power dynamic surrounding government relations with Tribal Nations, and how changing environmental conditions impact future consultations. She will also weigh in on how the Biden-Harris Administration’s new polici...
2023-04-0534 minPeople Places PlanetThe Enforcement Angle: Corporate Compliance MonitorsIncreasingly, independent third parties—better known as “corporate compliance monitors”--are appointed to oversee a company’s compliance following the settlement of a criminal or, sometimes, civil enforcement case. Justin Savage of Sidley Austin LLP, speaks with Ike Adams, a Partner at Sidley Austin, and Michele Edwards and Brad Wilson, both with StoneTurn, a global advisory firm. The trio discuss corporate compliance monitorships, which has been a perennial hot topic in DOJ enforcement, particularly in the environmental space over the last 5 years. The episode is part of The Enforcement Angle series, featuring conversations about state and federal enforcement of environm...
2023-03-2945 minPeople Places PlanetGlobal Perspectives on International Law Education and Practice with Visiting Attorney Tomkeen MobegiGlobal sustainable development requires attention to environmental, developmental, and social priorities. ELI’s Georgia Ray speaks with ELI Visiting Attorney Tomkeen Mobegi, an international law expert whose past work has focused on climate change, environmental governance, and human rights and development in the Global South. Tomkeen shares his perspective on intersectional and international legal education, the importance of international treaties, and the unique approach of the United States in the international legal space.
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2023-03-1650 minPeople Places PlanetWomen & WaterInternational Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to bring attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. One women’s issue that is often overlooked is access to clean water. In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray speaks with Elizabeth Koch, ELI’s Senior Manager of International Programs, and Jessica Troell, Director of ELI’s International Water Program, about two ELI initiatives pertaining to women and water: strengthening the recognition and protection of water tenure of the world’s most vulnerable populations; and the importance of inclusive decisionmaki...
2023-03-0827 minPeople Places PlanetThe Enforcement Angle: DOJ’s Environment & Natural Resources DivisionThe U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment & Natural Resources Division is tasked with enforcing the United States’ civil and criminal environmental laws. In this episode, Justin Savage and Nicole Noelliste of Sidley Austin LLP talk with Todd Kim, the Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ ENRD, and Kate Konschnik, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of ENRD. The episode is part of The Enforcement Angle series, featuring conversations about state and federal enforcement of environmental laws and regulations with senior enforcement officials and thought leaders on environmental enforcement in the United States and globally.
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2023-03-0139 minPeople Places PlanetRed, White & Blue = Green? Parallels Behind U.S. and French Environmental LawMany view the early 1970s as the dawn of environmental law here in the United States. President Nixon signed NEPA into law on January 1, 1970. By December of that same year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was formed. Across the Atlantic, France was similarly focused on the environment, and created the Ministry of the Environment in 1971. Was this pure serendipity or were there cultural and historical factors at play that contributed to that almost concurrent establishment? And what other parallels existed between France and the United States in their environmental regulatory journeys? In this episode, ELI Visiting Attorney Aïch...
2023-02-2326 minPeople Places PlanetThe Enforcement Angle: The New Mexico Environment DepartmentWith its deeply forested mountains, unique rock formations, vast plains, and moonlike deserts, New Mexico—the fifth largest state of the nation—boasts a unique landscape. Tasked with protecting and restoring the environment while fostering a healthy and prosperous New Mexico for present and future generations, the New Mexico Environment Department covers a lot of ground. In this episode, Justin Savage, a Partner and the Global Co-Leader of the Environmental practice at Sidley Austin LLP, speaks with New Mexico Environment Secretary James Kenney and the former Director of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division, Doug Parker.
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2023-02-0833 minPeople Places PlanetNational Wetlands Award Feature: Wetlands WatchFebruary 2 is World Wetlands Day! Wetlands are critically important ecosystems contributing to biodiversity, climate mitigation and adaptation, freshwater availability, and world economies. Sadly, nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded since the 1700s, and we are losing wetlands three times faster than forests. Urgent action is therefore needed to reverse wetland loss and protect existing wetlands. In this episode, we speak with Ross Weaver, the Program Assistant Director for Wetlands Watch. This podcast is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to highlighting the incredible work done by wetland heroes throughout the country. Some of the pr...
2023-02-0132 minPeople Places PlanetELI 2022 Year in ReviewThe Environmental Law Institute has been making law work for people, places, and the planet for more than 50 years. And the year 2022 was no different. In this episode, John Pendergrass, ELI’s Vice President of Programs and Publications, and Sandy Thiam, Associate Vice President of Research & Policy and head of the Judicial Education Program, share highlights from our research department in 2022. Jay and Sandy also offer a preview of what’s in store for 2023. Tune into other podcasts mentioned in this episode: Artificial Intelligence, State Protection of Nonfederal Waters, ELI’s Pro Bono Clearinghouse, and the Nati...
2023-01-1923 minPeople Places PlanetOcean Circulation, Science Communication, and Climate Policy — A Conversation with John M. DohertyAs the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts future warming, climate scientists play a crucial role in understanding what ecosystem functions and services are impacted by climate change. Without effective climate science communication, coordination and collaboration among federal agencies, NGOs, scientists, and legislators, environmental policymaking processes will be incredibly difficult. In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray speaks with ELI Science Fellow John Doherty about his paleoclimatology research, current climate change policy discussions, and barriers associated with making climate science education accessible.
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2022-12-2814 minPeople Places PlanetThe Youth Review: Electric Vehicles and Just Energy TransitionsThe significant environmental and human health benefits that are linked to electrifying transportation cannot be downplayed. Electric vehicles (EVs) do not produce tailpipe emissions, and, when charged using electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, result in no operational upstream emissions either. But as more EVs reach the roads, governments will need to address a host of new environmental and social challenges. In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray and Jack Lyman, a partner at Marten Law LLP, reflect on the role EV production and use plays within a just energy transition. The episode is part of Th...
2022-12-1329 minPeople Places PlanetArtificial Intelligence for Environmental ComplianceOnce the subject of science fiction, artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay. From self-driving cars to “smart” appliances to movie recommendations from your favorite streaming service, AI pervades so many aspects of modern daily life. And while the conveniences AI offers are not without their environmental costs, it can hold great promise for protecting the planet. In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray speaks with Jed Anderson, the founder of EnviroAI, to discuss the role of AI in environmental compliance. Jed shares how we can leverage the sophisticated pattern-recognition capabilities implicit in AI technology to better monitor emissions and ta...
2022-11-3020 minPeople Places PlanetReimagining the Role of Biogas for Environmental JusticeThe renewable fuel standard program seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, grow the United States’ renewable fuels sector, and lessen our reliance on imported oil. At its most basic, the program requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil, or jet fuel. Yet, the program fails to confer benefits to all Americans, and in some respects, it may even disproportionally burden disenfranchised communities. How can we leverage renewable energy standards to better aid vulnerable communities so that energy systems advance rather than thwart environmental justice? In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray...
2022-11-1638 minPeople Places PlanetThe Enforcement Angle: INTERPOL’s Pollution Crime Working GroupINTERPOL’s Pollution Crime Working Group, a global network of national experts, initiates and leads a number of projects to combat the transport, trading, and disposal of hazardous wastes or resources in contravention of national and international laws. Justin Savage, a Partner and the Global Co-Leader of the Environmental practice at Sidley Austin LLP, and Nicole Noelliste, a Managing Associate at Sidley Austin LLP, talk to two members serving on INTERPOL’s Pollution Crime Working Group: Joseph Poux and Anne Brosnan. Also available on video!
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2022-11-0244 minPeople Places PlanetConversation with Benjamin F. Wilson: 2022 Environmental Achievement Award WinnerSince 1984, the faces and voices of ELI’s constituents have come together in a gathering of environmental professionals at the annual ELI Environmental Achievement Award. In this episode, ELI’s Georgia Ray sits down with the recipient of this year’s Environmental Achievement Award: Benjamin F. Wilson, an environmental lawyer and civil rights advocate who has worked tirelessly to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal field.
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2022-10-1945 minPeople Places PlanetState Protection of Nonfederal WatersWhat happens when federal regulatory changes to the CWA framework result in regulatory “gaps” for the states to resolve? Jim McElfish, a Senior Attorney and Director of ELI’s Sustainable Use of Land program, explains the challenges of water regulation when federal protections are taken away. Jim also offers his thoughts on what may happen if the U.S. Supreme Court’s impending decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency results in a rollback in what qualifies as WOTUS. Listeners hungry for more information on this important topic are encouraged to read Jim’s article from the September 2022 issue of ELR—The...
2022-10-0522 minPeople Places PlanetEnvironmental Impacts of a Digital Sharing EconomyDigital technologies have steadily woven themselves into the global economy, transforming the pace at which we access and process information. “Digital sharing services” like Airbnb and Lyft often promise broad society benefits, including a reduction in energy usage, a lower environmental footprint, and more efficient use of existing products. But are these sharing innovations really changing our environmental outlook for the better? This podcast on digital sharing services is based on comprehensive research by Tamar Makov, Tamar Meshulam, and Sarah Goldberg supported by the Network for the Digital Economy and the Environment (nDEE) with grants from t...
2022-09-2830 minPeople Places PlanetWater Justice and the Constituent Empowerment ModelWater utilities are tasked with providing clean, affordable water to their constituents, yet, a growing number of utilities are charging high prices for water and/or carrying out policies that decrease, rather than increase, water access. Participatory governance, which aims to enable those who are most closely affected by a problem to influence how policymakers solve that problem, may offer a path to a more just water policy. In “Turning Participation into Power: A Water Justice Case Study,” Prof. Jaime Lee of the University of Baltimore School of Law offers a revamped model of participatory governance she dubs the “Consti...
2022-09-1528 minPeople Places PlanetEngage the Experts: The Shifting Landscape of Renewable Energy DevelopmentAs renewable energy development is happening throughout the country, changes in environmental regulations and related court decisions are impacting project development. What does this shifting terrain mean for the development, expansion and maintenance of renewable energy technologies? In this episode, we hear from Brooke Marcus Wahlberg, a Partner at Nossaman LLP, and her colleague Rebecca Barho as they unpack changes to environmental regulations and their related court decisions. Tune in to learn about what recent regulatory and judicial developments mean for renewables.
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2020-08-1931 minPeople Places PlanetToward A Global Pact for the EnvironmentInternational environmental law is often characterized as fragmented and heterogeneous; there is currently no single, overarching framework that outlines a set of rules and criteria of general application in international environmental law. In the latest episode of People Places Planet Podcast, we explore the recent push for a set of globally recognized principles on environmental law—called the Global Pact for the Environment—under the United Nations. In this podcast, Dominic Scicchitano, a Research Associate at ELI, talks to two individuals who have been following the issue closely: Prof. Nicholas A. Robinson and Maria Antonia Tigre. Together, they discuss the...
2020-07-2939 minPeople Places PlanetWhat Can Animal Law Learn From Environmental Law?What tried and true environmental law strategies are animal rights and welfare advocates using in their efforts to protect animals? How does the exploitation of meatpacking and slaughterhouse workers in the age of COVID-19 highlight the interconnectedness between animal, environmental, and human rights issues? In this episode, we talk to Prof. Randall S. Abate about his forthcoming book, What Can Animal Law Learn from Environmental Law? (2d ed. ELI Press 2020). Tune in to learn about what animal law can learn from environmental law and how the two movements can better coordinate their common objectives.
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2020-07-0827 minPeople Places PlanetEngage the Experts: Solar Energy & WildlifeThere are many benefits to solar energy, but what about its impacts on wildlife? In this episode, we "engage the experts” and listen in on a conversation between two experts in the field of environmental law and policy, Brooke Marcus Wahlberg, a Partner at Nossaman LLP, and Dr. Karl Kosciuch, a senior biologist at Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc. Brooke and Karl will discuss their work at the nexus of solar energy development and wildlife conservation.
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2020-06-2449 minPeople Places PlanetRemarkable Cities and the Fight Against Climate ChangeTowns and cities all across America are increasingly finding themselves at the front lines in protecting their citizens from the impacts of climate change. Fortunately, a number of tools just waiting to be used can already be found in many local communities’ toolbox. In this episode, we talk to Prof. Jonathan Rosenbloom about his new book, Remarkable Cities and the Fight Against Climate Change: 43 Recommendations to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and the Communities That Adopted Them (ELI Press 2020). Tune in to learn about the range of ways in which local communities can use enacted ordinances to mitigate climate change while in...
2020-06-1730 minPeople Places PlanetReflections from ELI’s 2020 National Wetlands AwardeesSince 1989, ELI has honored over 200 champions of wetlands protection through the National Wetlands Awards program, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional effort, innovation, and excellence in protecting the nation’s wetlands. In this episode, we invite our 2020 National Wetlands Awardees to share their thoughts on the same question: What is the importance of wetlands protection now and in the future?
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2020-05-2817 minPeople Places PlanetEngage the Experts: Wind Power & WildlifeThere are many benefits to wind energy, but what about its impacts on wildlife? In this episode, we "engage the experts” and listen in on a conversation between two experts in the field of environmental law, Brooke Marcus Wahlberg, a Partner at Nossaman LLP, and Joy Page, Director of the Renewable Energy and Wildlife team at the Defenders of Wildlife. Brooke and Joy will discuss their work at the nexus of wind energy development and wildlife conservation.
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2020-05-1443 minPeople Places PlanetClimate Science in the CourtsClimate change and climate science have been the subject of a great deal of discussion and political controversy here in the United States. In this era of information and disinformation, wouldn’t it be great if we had a vehicle for separating fact from fiction in this important area? A new report from ELI reveals that we already have a mechanism for crunching truth – the judicial system. In this special Earth Day episode, ELI President Scott Fulton talks to the lead author of the report, Dr. Maria Banda, to learn more.
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2020-04-2224 minPeople Places PlanetTurning a Blind Eye to Small Drinking Water SystemsDrinking water contamination in Flint, Michigan, has garnered nationwide attention, but it is neither isolated, nor a primarily urban problem. As Madeline Kane explains in the April issue of ELR—The Environmental Law Reporter, a hidden water crisis is straining thousands of smaller communities that share Flint’s risk factors—shrinking populations, social marginalization, and deficient funds. In this episode, ELR’s Hunter Jones talk to Madeline Kane, a J.D. candidate at Harvard Law School, to learn more about the problem, its causes, and potential solutions.
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2020-04-1526 minPeople Places PlanetThe General Counsels' Opinions: Conversations with the Attorneys who have Led EPA's Office of General Counsel – Gary GuzyEPA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the Agency’s chief legal advisor, providing counsel to EPA policymakers and providing critical input to Agency rules, regulations, and guidance documents. In this episode, Kevin Minoli, a partner at Alston & Bird who worked within EPA’s OGC for 18 years, talks to former EPA General Counsel Gary Guzy, who served as General Counsel from July 1999 to January 2001. This episode is part of a year-long series of conversations with former EPA General Counsels, allowing listeners to hear first-hand accounts of their experiences at EPA.
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2020-04-0238 minPeople Places PlanetInconspicuous Consumption: The Link Between Everyday Practices and Climate ChangeWhat do everyday practices like streaming a movie online, purchasing a new pair of jeans, or eating a burger have to do with climate change? Sadly, it turns out almost everything we do, use, and eat has a significant impact on climate change because of the way we use resources, create waste, and emit greenhouse gases without even thinking about it. In this episode, Senior Attorney Linda Breggin sits down with Tatiana Schlossberg, author of Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don’t Know You Have, to learn more.
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2020-03-0435 minPeople Places PlanetThe Proposed NEPA Regulations: A Conversation With NEPA Regulations Expert Nick YostOn January 10, 2020, CEQ proposed a comprehensive rewrite of the NEPA regulations that govern how federal agencies identify, analyze, and mitigate for the anticipated environmental impacts of proposed major federal actions. To help listeners better understand the proposal, ELI Senior Attorney Jim McElfish talks to Nick Yost, one of the nation’s most experienced NEPA lawyers and the primary drafter of the original 1978 regulations. For more on the proposal, check out Practitioners’ Guide to the Proposed NEPA Regulations.
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2020-02-1930 minPeople Places PlanetThe General Counsels' Opinions: Conversations with the Attorneys who have Led EPA's Office of General Counsel – Ann KleeEPA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the Agency’s chief legal advisor, providing counsel to EPA policymakers and providing critical input to Agency rules, regulations, and guidance documents. In this episode, Kevin Minoli, a partner at Alston & Bird who worked within EPA’s OGC for 18 years, talks to former EPA General Counsel Ann Klee, who served as General Counsel from June 2004 to July 2006. This episode is part of a year-long series of conversations with former EPA General Counsels, allowing listeners to hear first-hand accounts of their experiences at EPA.
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2020-02-0535 minPeople Places PlanetTechnology, the Environment, and GreenTechLast October, policymakers, lawmakers, technologists, NGOs, and leaders from some of the world’s most innovative companies joined ELI in Seattle, Washington, at its inaugural GreenTech conference to explore environmental protection in an era of transformative technological change. In this episode, ELI’s Dominic Scicchitano speaks to Kasantha Moodley, ELI’s Manager of Innovation and Governance, and ELI President Scott Fulton, both of whom played an integral role in orchestrating the conference. They discuss the conference’s origins, highlights from the event, and plans for GreenTech 2020. Additional information about GreenTech, including a summary from the 2019 conference, are available at https...
2020-01-2318 minPeople Places PlanetCool Cities: A/C Ordinances—The Hot New Trend in Fighting Extreme Heat?Extreme heat kills more people than any other natural disaster, and heat waves are growing longer, hotter, and more frequent, due to climate change. Cities are particularly impacted because climate change exacerbates the urban heat island effect. In this episode, ELI’s Cynthia Harris chats with Rachel Licker, Senior Climate Scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists; Michael Gerrard, Professor at Columbia Law School and Faculty Director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law; and Councilmember Tom Hucker, from Montgomery County, MD, to learn about one possible tool cities can bring to bear on this public health crisis: ai...
2020-01-0840 minPeople Places PlanetThe General Counsels' Opinions: Conversations With the Attorneys Who Have Led EPA's Office of General Counsel – Roger MartellaEPA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the Agency’s chief legal advisor, providing counsel to EPA policymakers and providing critical input to Agency rules, regulations, and guidance documents. In this episode—the third in a series of podcasts in which we talk to former EPA General Counsels—Kevin Minoli, a partner at Alston & Bird who worked within EPA’s OGC for 18 years, talks to former EPA General Counsel Roger Martella, who now serves as Director and General Counsel for General Electric’s Environment, Health and Safety operations worldwide.
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2019-12-1832 minPeople Places PlanetEnergy Exactions: A New Idea for Local GovernmentsLocal governments often require developers to bear the costs of new infrastructure. Known as “exactions”, the funds help localities address the burdens that growth places on schools, transportation, water, and sewers. But Professors Jim Rossi and Christopher Serkin, both with Vanderbilt University Law School, have proposed imposing “energy exactions” to address the energy impacts of new residential or commercial growth. In this episode, Linda Breggin, a senior attorney at ELI, and students from the law school talk to Professors Rossi and Serkin to learn more about this novel idea.
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2019-12-0430 minPeople Places PlanetThe General Counsels' Opinions: Conversations With the Attorneys Who Have Led EPA's Office of General Counsel – Scott FultonEPA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the Agency’s chief legal advisor, providing counsel to EPA policymakers and providing critical input to Agency rules, regulations, and guidance documents. In this episode—the second in a series of podcasts in which we talk to former EPA General Counsels—Kevin Minoli, a partner at Alston & Bird who worked within EPA’s OGC for 18 years, talks to former EPA General Counsel Scott Fulton, who now serves as President of ELI.
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2019-11-2244 minPeople Places PlanetThe General Counsels' Opinions: Conversations with the Attorneys who have Led EPA's Office of General Counsel – Avi GarbowEPA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the Agency’s chief legal advisor, providing counsel to EPA policymakers and providing critical input to Agency rules, regulations, and guidance documents. In this episode, Kevin Minoli, a partner at Alston & Bird who worked within EPA’s OGC for 18 years, talks to former EPA General Counsel Avi Garbow, the longest serving General Counsel in EPA’s history. This episode is the first in a year-long series of conversations with former EPA General Counsels, allowing listeners to hear first-hand accounts of their experiences at EPA.
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2019-10-2330 minPeople Places PlanetCombating Deforestation in the AmazonThe Amazon Rainforest is a hotbed of biodiversity and—perhaps most crucial to our current climate crisis—stores approximately 120 billion tons of carbon. But deforestation is threatening the Amazon at an alarming rate. Given the vast size and numerous stakeholders that rely on the rainforest, innovative and cooperative methods are needed to combat deforestation. In this episode, we talk to Professor Mark Ungar to learn more.
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2019-10-0927 minPeople Places PlanetEnvironmental Disruptors: Global Water GirlsGlobally, we’ve accumulated nearly 9.2 billion tons of plastic since plastic production became widespread in the 1950s. Of this, more than 6.9 billion tons have become waste, dominating our landfills and seeping into our waterways. By 2050, the amount of plastic in the ocean is expected to outweigh the amount of fish, making plastic waste diversion from oceans a global priority. In this episode, we talk to Fidan Karimova, the co-founder and CEO of Global Water Girls, www.globalwatergirls.com, an all-female owned and operated company of water professionals dedicated to circular economy solutions to promote environmental sustainability and improve global qu...
2019-09-1826 minPeople Places PlanetHerding Cats: Governing Distributed InnovationDo-It-Yourself biology, 3D printing, and the sharing economy are equipping ordinary people with new powers to shape their biological, physical, and social environments. This phenomenon of distributed innovation is yielding new goods and services, greater economic productivity, and new opportunities for fulfillment. Distributed innovation also brings new environmental, health, and security risks that demand oversight, yet conventional government regulation may be poorly suited to address these risks. Dispersed and dynamic, distributed innovation requires the development of more flexible tools for oversight and government collaboration with private partners in governance. In this episode, Linda Breggin, Director of ELI’s Center fo...
2019-09-0442 minPeople Places PlanetEngage the Expert: Environmental EnforcementIn this episode of People Places Planet Podcast, we listen in on a casual conversation between Special Agent Andrea Abat, a criminal investigator at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Tracy Hester, a Professor at the University of Houston Law Center, on the field of environmental enforcement. Andrea Abat discusses her illustrious career investigating oils spills on the North Slopes of Alaska and anthrax in Washington D.C. She also provides valuable career advice for those looking to enter the environmental enforcement field. Professor Hester discusses advancements in environmental enforcement and the best advice he has received as...
2019-08-2132 minPeople Places PlanetCarbon Taxation by RegulationFor more than a century, energy rate setting has been used to promote public good and redistributive goals, akin to general financial taxation. Various non-tax subsidies in customer energy rates have enormous untapped potential for promoting low-carbon sources of energy, while also balancing broader economic and social welfare goals. In Carbon Taxation by Regulation, 102 Minn. L. Rev. 277 (2017), Prof. Jim Rossi of Vanderbilt University Law School (VULS) argues that even though a carbon tax remains politically elusive, “carbon taxation by regulation” has begun to flourish as a way of financing carbon reduction. His article received Honorable Mention in the special “Enviro...
2019-08-0722 minPeople Places PlanetWhat Does 100% Renewable Really Mean? Unpacking Corporate Renewable Energy StatementsAt least 150 large companies have set goals to rely exclusively on renewable energy. These voluntary pledges can boost a company’s environmental image and can have a significant impact on the amount of generated renewable energy. But there are many different ways to get to 100% renewable power, all of which differ in the impact they have on the energy market. ELI recently published Corporate Statements About the Use of Renewable Energy: What Does the “100% Renewable” Goal Really Mean? In this episode, we talk to lead author Sofia Yazykova, a staff attorney at ELI, and Priya Barua, a Senior Manager with t...
2019-07-2518 minPeople Places PlanetTrailblazing Tribes: AgricultureWhen it comes to the 573 federally recognized tribes in the United States, agriculture represents not just a source of food security, but an opportunity to express tribal sovereignty, drive economic development, and reclaim the cultivation of plants and animals central to a tribe’s culture across generations. Join Cynthia R. Harris, ELI’s Director of Tribal Programs, as she explores how tribes are taking on challenges, reclaiming traditional practices, and innovating in agriculture and food production with special guests Zach Ducheneaux, Executive Director of the Intertribal Agriculture Council; Chris Roper with the Quapaw Services Authority; Pat Gwin, Environmental Resources Senio...
2019-07-161h 00People Places PlanetEnvironmental Disruptors: 3-D Printing Food Waste for Fine DiningFood waste is one of the biggest and most overlooked global environmental challenges. Worldwide, approximately 30% of food is wasted across the supply chain. Food waste contributes to 8% of total greenhouse gases. This is tremendous. If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter, after the United States and China. In the latest episode from People Places Planet Podcast, Azi Akpan of ELI’s Innovation Lab chats with Elzelinde van Doleweerd and Vita Broeken, co-Founders of Upprinting Food, based in Eindhoven in the Netherlands. Founded in November 2018, Upprinting Food reduces food waste by transforming it into be...
2019-06-2623 minPeople Places PlanetEnvironmental Disruptors: Craft Brewed SustainabilityWhen it comes to beer, no one knows innovation better than a craft brewery. But brewing a single gallon of beer uses about seven gallons of water. That’s why Great Divide Brewing Company, located in Denver, Colorado, is looking to apply their craft expertise to sustainability. In this episode, Kasantha Moodley of ELI’s Innovation Lab sits down with Erin Cox, the Quality Management Systems Supervisor at Great Divide, to hear how it is tackling this environmental challenge. We also hear from Kaitlin Urso, an official of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, who shares her know...
2019-06-1424 min