Implementing the Inflation Reduction Act: Progress to Date and Risks from a Changing Administration

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents the largest investment in climate action in U.S. history. In the two years since its enactment, the IRA has spurred a flurry of activity aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emission, and protecting communities from the impacts of climate change. But there is still […]

This Is How We Solve a Heat Crisis

Every summer now feels like Groundhog Day. More heat records broken. Soon, we’ll have more school days canceled (take Philadelphia for example where nearly 30 percent of city schools recently shut down due to lack of cooling systems). We already have more heat-related deaths (in fact, according to a study, […]

Guest Blog: Pioneering Decision from the Indian Supreme Court Recognizing Freedom from the Adverse Effects of Climate Change as a Fundamental Right.

Introduction Though environmental rights have long been recognized globally, they have undergone particularly notable evolution over the past half-century. India, surprisingly to some, has one of the most sophisticated frameworks concerning State obligations and individual protections, including a robust system for guaranteeing the enjoyment of environment rights to individuals. The […]

Climate Change Litigation Turns Toward Animal Agriculture

Even as the geographical and doctrinal diversity of climate change litigation increases, climate lawsuits—whether they seek to hold private actors directly accountable or challenge government policies—continue to focus primarily on fossil fuels. This makes sense given that major oil and gas companies (sometimes called the “Carbon Majors”) are leading contributors […]

The National Heat Strategy is a Strong First Step

On August 14 the federal government released the United States’ first National Heat Strategy. As it stands today, the Strategy is a major step forward for coordinated federal action to recognize and address extreme heat and it confirms that agencies across the federal government are making this a high priority […]

Recognition of Nature’s Rights: A Crucial Step in Peruvian Climate Litigation with a Human Rights Approach

In the recent session of Peru’s Congress, the Andean, Amazonian, Afro-Peruvian, Environmental, and Ecological Affairs Committee approved Legislative Reports  advocating for nature’s legal recognition as a rights-bearing entity. These reports establish specific legal protections to ensure nature’s existence, natural development, regeneration, restoration, and evolution. In light of this development, this […]