Berkeley experts talk about the most pressing issues facing America
law
Justice Scalia and environmental law
Over the past three decades, Justice Scalia did much to shape environmental law, nearly always in a conservative direction. Because of the importance of his rulings, environmental lawyers and scholars are all familiar with his work. But for the benefit of others, it might be helpful to summarize his major environmental decisions. The upshot was … Continue reading »
Key environmental developments ahead in 2016
The year 2015 was a big one for agency regulations and international negotiations. In 2016, the main focal points will be the political process and the courts. Here are seven major things to watch for. The presidential election. The election will have huge consequences for the environment. A Republican President is almost sure to try to roll … Continue reading »
What Trump gets right
How does one make sense of a US presidential candidate calling for the banning of Muslims entering the country and the tracking and profiling of those who live here? How does one make sense of a US Supreme Court justice suggesting that Blacks should not go to top-tier universities? We live in strange times and … Continue reading »
It is Time to Talk Reparations for Ferguson…and Beyond
Even before its March 4th release, the key findings of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation into the Ferguson Police Department’s (FPD) practices were fairly well known, having been reported on and discussed extensively in the media. With compelling evidence drawn from multiple sources and backed by statistical analysis, the DOJ report makes three points … Continue reading »
EPA unveils carbon standard for new power plants
On March 27 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its anticipated rule limiting carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants. The proposed Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act purports to set national limits on the amount of carbon pollution new power plants can emit. Today we’re … Continue reading »
Thawing of prison isolation policy a positive sign
A recent hearing in Sacramento of the Assembly Public Safety Committee was another remarkable sign that California’s once frozen penal policies are beginning to thaw and change. Isolation of “high risk” prisoners, in a lock-down environment designed to promote security to the exclusion of all other penal objectives has been a pillar of California’s prison … Continue reading »
Whitebark pine in ESA limbo
Today the Fish and Wildlife Service announced that the whitebark pine, an iconic tree of the high-elevation American west, qualifies for listing as an endangered or threatened species. The combined impacts of disease, insect infestation, climate change, and fire suppression mean that the whitebark pine could disappear within a couple of its generations. But the pine … Continue reading »