Climate Change

Global climate change has become one of the most significant environmental, economic, and societal challenges confronting the global community. This class will explore the legal, political, and scientific challenges involved in addressing and responding to climate change. The class will consider international strategies and laws, including the Kyoto Protocol, emissions trading schemes, and efforts to involve the developing world in climate change mitigation. The class will also focus on U.S. law and policy. Covered topics include regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act and other statutes, federal court jurisdiction to hear cases related to climate change, and state and local efforts to mitigate climate change.

Evaluation is by a series of papers or projects. No writing requirement will be satisfied.