Online Articles

Flash Flooding Across Roadways in Flatbush, Brooklyn New York on September 29th, 2023.

Disclosure is Not Enough: Assessing New York’s New Flood Disclosure Laws in Light of New Flooding

October 6, 2023 by Connor Kolet Climate change Regulations State and Local

After New York City experienced shocking flash floods on September 29th, its lack of long-term solutions to chronic flooding has come under media scrutiny. In this article, Connor Kolet addresses the shortcomings of new short-term disclosure policies for renters in flood zones, and why more needs to be done for low income and vulnerable tenants.

City skyline in orange haze

Inadequate Protections for Workers In a Warming World

October 2, 2023 by Agnes Enochs Air Climate change Litigation State and Local

July 2023 was the hottest month on record. As extreme temperatures become the norm, many workers find themselves without adequate workplace protections. With heat-related deaths on the rise, more must be done to secure workers' safety in a warming world.

A consumer considers which product to buy off the shelf and seems interested in one that claims to be “green.”

GREENWASHING: The Beginning or End of an Era of Environmental Deception?

September 28, 2023 by Charlie Dwight Chemicals Climate change Litigation Regulations

As American consumers focus more on how their consumption habits impact the environment, companies are seeking to capitalize by claiming their products are “green” even if these claims are dubious – a practice known as greenwashing. In this article, Charlie Dwight walks through the legal landscape of greenwashing and argues FTC and SEC enforcement would help crack down on the practice.

Oil rigs operate in the ocean surrounded by floating sea ice (Creative Commons | Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement)

Climate Change, the Willow Project, and U.S. Security: a Maelstrom of Unreadiness

September 11, 2023 by Blake Hite Climate change Oil and Gas

Oil has long been a key factor in U.S. national security considerations. In this article, author Blake Hite argues the combination of climate change and oil extraction in the Arctic poses unique national security concerns that should be considered before U.S. officials approve additional Arctic drilling.

A soldier looks towards a Ukrainian flag flying on a battlefield

National Security vs. Climate Security: Who Wins?

July 10, 2023 by Avi Wolasky Energy Natural Resources Oil and Gas

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused devastating turmoil. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are dead and millions more have become refugees.[1] Civilians remaining in Ukraine lack consistent access to food, water, and other essential supplies.[2]…

Horseshoe Bend on a sunny day.

Drought in the American West and Equitable Water Use

April 10, 2023 by Benjamin Wilken State and Local Water

The American West is dry. Despite extreme weather events like the series of atmospheric rivers that doused the West Coast (from late 2022 until the time of this piece’s composition), capable of dumping up to half an inch of rain an hour,[1] the overall…

Conservation easement boundary sign with hills and a lake in the background

No Time to Ease Up on Easements

March 30, 2023 by Chris Gaarder Public Lands State and Local Wildlife

The Internal Revenue Code allows taxpayers to claim an income tax deduction for donating perpetual conservation easements to qualified organizations.[1] The federal government has foregone billions of dollars of tax revenue in exchange for such easements…

The Colonial Pipeline transports refined oil products to the East Coast.

Cybersecurity Policy Responses to the Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack

March 7, 2023 by Kimberly Wood Energy Fossil Fuels

Long lines for gas and skyrocketing retail gas prices marked May 2021 as a memorable month for automobile owners. While gasoline shortages in the early 1970s were caused by an international oil embargo, this more recent supply shortfall resulted from…