The Sustainability Task Force is up

The Sustainability Task Force is starting 2008 with three events to launch our serious commitment to the environment. The details are below.

Focus the Nation. USD is one of more than 1,500 universities participating in activities related to climate change and sustainability.

The Annual All Faith Service. The service on February 7, 2008, is dedicated to taking care of God's creation.

Sustainability Newsletter. This communication vehicle will let you know about all environmental efforts on campus. Volume I of the Sustainability Newsletter is available at www.sandiego.edu/gogreen.

The Sustainability Task Force plans to keep you updated twice every semester. We encourage you to get involved early in 2008 and to maintain your energy and enthusiasm for our efforts to Go Green throughout the year. We will do our best to keep the campus informed about our efforts. We want to thank everyone who already has demonstrated the right spirit.

Support the Creation of an Environmental Law Journal

The SBA is conducting an informal survey of student interest in additional writing opportunities. If you haven't already, please visit http://www.usdsba.org/ and vote for the type of Journal you would like to see at USD.

Ralph Nader Film

The Law and Social Justice Film Series
Hosted by Professor Orly Lobel, USD School of Law Free and Open to the USD Community and Public
*** PIZZA, SNACKS AND DRINKS WILL BE SERVED***

An Unreasonable Man - Ralph Nader: How Do you Define a Legacy?

Introductory Remarks:
Professor Bob Felmeth, Price Professor of Public Interest Law & an Original "Nader's Raider".

November 6, Tuesday; 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Warren Hall 3D, USD School of Law

In 1966, General Motors, the most powerful corporation in the world, sent private investigators to dig up dirt on an obscure thirty-two year old public interest lawyer named Ralph Nader, who had written a book critical of one of their cars, the Corvair. The scandal that ensued after the smear campaign was revealed launched Ralph Nader into national prominence and established him as one of the most admired Americans and the leader of the modern Consumer Movement. Over the next thirty years and without ever holding public office, Nader built a legislative record that is the rival of any contemporary president. Many things we take for granted including seat belts, airbags, product labeling, no nukes, even the free ticket you get after being bumped from an overbooked flight are largely due to the efforts of Ralph Nader and his citizen groups. Yet today, when most people hear the name "Ralph Nader," they think of the man who gave the country George W. Bush. After being so right for so many years, how did he seem to go so wrong?

Climate Change Lecture Series

The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) and the Environmental Law Society at the University of San Diego School of Law Present the 2007 Climate Change Lecture Series

San Diego, Calif., October 17, 2007 - The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC), a nonprofit research center at the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law, today announced the speakers for the 2007 Climate Change Lecture Series.

"Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st Century," says Scott Anders, director of EPIC. "As we transition from debating the science to seeking solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many legal and policy questions arise. The purpose of the lecture series is to begin to explore some of these issues and to further this important dialogue."

On Thursday, November 1, 2007, Ken Alex, supervising deputy attorney general for the State of California, will discuss the California attorney general's efforts to address global warming through legal action, including the opportunities and limitations posed by the legal approach. For more information about Ken Alex and the lecture series, go to the event Web page.

On Thursday, November 8, 2007, California Energy Commissioner John L. Geesman will discuss the energy policy challenges that California will face in implementing Assembly Bill 32, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. For more information about Commissioner John L. Geesman and the lecture series, go to the event Web page.

Both lectures begin at 4:30 p.m. and are presented in the School of Leadership & Education Sciences (SOLES) Auditorium on the University of San Diego campus. The campus is located at 5998 Alcalá Park, off Linda Vista Road.

The lectures are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. RSVP at (619) 260-6848 or usdlawevent@sandiego.edu
by Monday, October 29, 2007.

WEBCAST
A live Webcast of each lecture will be available online the day of the event. Go to www.law.sandiego.edu and click on "Live Webcast."

MCLE
The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and certifies that each of these activities are approved for one hour of general credit.

The Energy Policy Initiatives Center (EPIC) at the
University of San Diego School of Law
EPIC is an academic and research center of the University of San Diego School of Law that studies how energy policy issues affect the San Diego County region and California. EPIC integrates research and analysis, law school study and public education, and provides legal and policy expertise and information about efficient and environmentally responsible solutions to our future energy needs.

Media Contacts:
Patrick Riedling, USD School of Law, (619) 260-4589
Ashley Wood, USD School of Law, (619) 260-4097

Essay Contest

The Public Justice Foundation is sponsoring an essay contest on Global Warming with a $5,000 first prize. More information is available on their website.

Al Gore Wins the Nobel Prize

Late last week, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Price to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore for "their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change." The Environmental Law Society extends its sincere congratulations to Mr. Gore and thanks him for his lifetime of service to environmental causes.

This award marks an exciting and dynamic time in the field of environmental law. More than ever, there are opportunities for the USD Environmental Law Society and you as students and future lawyers to take a leadership position on campus, in the San Diego community, and around the world. The USD Environmental Law Society will to continue to work with local and national environmental law attorneys, legal scholars, government agencies, and NGOs to keep the University of San Diego on the forefront of environmental law scholarship.

Please stay tuned to this blog to keep up to date with events on campus. Better yet, become more active in the club. Contact Thomas or Daniel with ways to get involved.

Daniel Lowe -- ELS Secretary & Webmaster

Sustainability Committment Proclamation Passed!

Thank you to Thomas Del Monte and Forrest Merithew for their hard work in passing this resolution.

Student Bar Association

University of San Diego School of Law

Resolution E

Sustainability Commitment Proclamation

Whereas, climate change from greenhouse gas emissions endangers our environment, health, and economies, and the struggle against the effects of climate change will shape the 21st century; and

Whereas, addressing the climate-change challenge by promoting practices which are sustainable and promote a healthy environment, by minimizing our carbon footprint as quickly as economically feasible, and by integrating legal training that promotes sustainability into our curriculum will better serve the students and meet our social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical, and civil society; therefore

Be it resolved, that the Student Bar Association of the University of San Diego School of Law proclaims that we, as an institution of higher education, must exercise leadership, both on campus and throughout our community; by modeling sustainability practices in our daily activities, by influencing future campus planning to reduce global warming emissions, and by providing an academic framework designed to equip our university and her graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to become leaders in the formation and interpretation of environmental law and policy.

Sponsored by the University of San Diego School of Law’s Environmental Law Society, Vice President of ELS Forrest Merithew, and SBA Councilor Thomas R. Del Monte.

Help the San Diego Coastkeeper at the Hotel Del!

The USD Environmental Law Society is very excited to have an opportunity to help out the San Diego Coastkeeper with their annual Ocean Gala. It's on Saturday, November 3rd, from 7pm to 12am at The Ballroom of the Hotel Del Coronado . They need volunteers to help set-up, help with the auction, etc. Volunteers need to dress in cocktail attire (not black tie) and need to attend a Mandatory training on October 30th from 6:30 - 7:30 (pizza will be provided.) All volunteers will receive a FREE dinner at the Del, and this will definitely have an opportunity to mingle with professionals in the field of Environmental Law.

There's 2 shifts available:

- 11am to 5pm or
- 4:30 pm to 12am

Just email Mary your Name, Email Address and the Shift you would like to work at mkoehrlein@gmail.com.

If you're more interested in attending the gala than in working it, students are receiving a $75 discount, so tickets are $100. Here is the online invitation and RSVP form.

If you have any questions or would just like some more info, email Mary at mkoehrlein@gmail.com or Deanna at SD Coastkeeper, Deanna@SDCoastkeeper.org .



Thank you!

Lantham & Watkins Webinar

Complimentary Live 90-minute Webinar Sponsored by Latham & Watkins

Climate Change: Latest Impacts on Land Use, Water Supplies, and Energy and Infrastructure Projects

Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 9:00 am Pacific

New federal and state laws—along with a spate of land use lawsuits—require that development projects now grapple with climate change. The issue arises not only with new federal and state climate change laws, but also with long-standing laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Water Code. In turn, these laws present questions about how all projects, large and small, can most efficiently satisfy new climate change mitigation requirements.

This program will address the following key issues for development projects:

• The emerging case law on NEPA's climate change requirements.
• California's new legislation, Senate Bill 97, which addresses climate change requirements and development project exemptions under CEQA.
• The recent, landmark settlement agreement between the California Attorney General and the County of San Bernardino on climate change and land use.
• Strategies for addressing climate change in water supply assessments and environmental review documents under NEPA and CEQA.
  

Speakers

Christopher W. Garrett , Global Co-Chair, Land Use Practice, Latham & Watkins

Janice M. Schneider , Partner, Latham & Watkins and former Counselor to the Deputy Secretary of the Interior

Christopher H. Norton , Of Counsel, Latham & Watkins

Adrianna B. Kripke , Associate, Latham & Watkins

Registration

To register for this complimentary program, please click here. The program will be accessible through your computer and, upon registration you will receive instructions on how to log-in to the Webinar. If you have any questions regarding this program, please email Miki Hanlen or call (202) 350-5261.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back ELSers!

We hope this blog will be a forum to discuss environmental law related issues. Expect regular updates, including:

• Ways to get involved in the club and in the community
  
• Events, meetings, and guest speakers on and off campus
  
• Environmental Law job postings
• Links to articles on environmental law in local and national newspapers (soon to be located in the right panel)
  
• Updates on legislative and regulatory issues effecting the environment
• And more!
  

We want this to be an interactive site, where any club member can post something he or she finds interesting. We will let you know exactly how this will work as soon as we get the blog running smoothly.

In the meantime, the best way to keep up with the blog is to utilize an RSS feeder. An RSS feeder will transform your web browsing. Whenever this blog has an update, that update will show up on your homepage. There will be no need to check this blog hoping for an update. The RSS feeder will let you know when there is a new posting. You can also get updates from regular websites like CNN.com and ESPN.com. Two popular ones are Bloglines and Del.icio.us. It's really easy to set it up. Send me an email and I'll walk you through it. (Google also has an RSS feeder, but I haven't tried it yet.)

Hey guys. Here's a post from Ariel about an opportunity for the summer.

Employer: City Attorney of San Diego

Position: Part-time, unpaid volunteer

Title: Summer 2007 Intern

We are seeking student interns to collaborate in creating proposals for how the City Attorney’s Office might expand its environmental enforcement role. Academic credit may be available through your school. Students must be available to work an average of 15 hours each week during the summer.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and single paragraph indicating your interest, including relevant experience, via e-mail to both:
Ariel Rief at arielrief@yahoo.com and Shirley R. Edwards, Chief Deputy City Attorney, Land Use and Environmental Section, at SEdwards@sandiego.gov.

Hey all. Good luck on finals! I've had a great semester with you guys. I hope you've enjoyed the events that we've done. I am always appreciative to hear your input.

I wish you guys all the best on finals and with your summers. Also, if anyone would still like a T-shirt or would like to buy more please email me: jasmine.scott@mac.com--I have a few left.

If you're wondering about the photo--no real reason I just think Jack Bauer is the man.

ACLU Internship Opportunities
Deadlines
Fall 2007: June 29
Spring 2008: Nov. 3
Summer 2008: Feb. 1
ACLU of Northern California Policy Department focuses on three areas: (1) Death Penalty; (2) Police Practices; and (3) Racial Justice.

The Position: Under supervision and guidance of Director, interns assist in projects that aim to improve criminal justice and education policy in Northern California.

Intern will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge issues, conducting legal and policy research, and drafting legal and policy memoranda, reports, and other advocacy documents. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in staff meetings and may also participate in strategy meetings with coalition partners and assist in fact gathering for local and state advocacy efforts through Public Records Act requests, field interviews and others.

For each of the three primary subject areas, intern responsibilities include the following:
Death penalty:
The interns will assist with projects aimed at bringing community and media attention to flaws in the California death penalty system. Current projects focus on highlighting the prevalent issue of wrongful convictions in California and relevant legislation.
Police practices:
The interns will assist with projects to improve police accountability. The work will focus on a
range of police related issues including civilian oversight of police, use of force policy with
particular focus on Tasers, and intelligence gathering and surveillance practices.
Racial justice:
A key priority for the Racial Justice Project is eliminating racial disparities in the criminal justice system and addressing the collateral consequences of incarceration. The Project also focuses on educational equity in California public schools. Current topics include the “school-to-prison pipeline,” felony re-enfranchisement, and racial profiling.

More information can be found here.

I think you'll agree that we've never faced an environmental threat quite like global warming.
Fortunately the issue is finally getting the public attention it deserves. Whether it's a conversation around the kitchen-table, "An Inconvenient Truth" winning two Academy Awards, or a hearing in the capitol, people everywhere are talking about climate
change.

However, as we all know, just talking about the threat of global warming -- or any environmental problem -- isn't enough. What we need is action, from individuals and from our elected officials. The only way that will happen is if we join together to show our leaders that we all support bold solutions that solve the problem.

In that spirit, we are hosting a community round table on global warming in San Diego.

WHAT: Community round table on global warming
WHEN: Thursday, April 19 at 6:30 pm
WHERE: San Diego City College, Room C101, 1313 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA

The meeting will be a chance to learn more about Environment California's work on global warming and a great chance to find out how you can get involved.

To RSVP, click on this link or paste it into your
Web browser:

https://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/global-warming/sd-rsvp?id4=ES

Dan Jacobson
Environment California Legislative Director
DanJ@environmentcalifornia.org
http://www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org

Hi all. I hope Spring Break was good and that if you celebrate Easter you have a good day with your family today.

I wanted to inform you that we are bringing in a guest speaker, Rob Wilder on Wed., 4/11. He'll be addressing us in the Environmental Law class at 1PM in LRC 131. You are all invited. Mr. Wilder runs an investment fund which invests in clean technology and is a professor at UCSD. I think you all will be very impressed by how he's managed to make a ton of money doing good for the environment.

1PM, LRC 131 on Wed. 4/11

Thanks.

World Water Day (March 22-24)
Click here for more information. The closest event is in LA but there's also a virtual way to get involved.

Tomorrow we'll have a special guest speaker at 12PM in 3B. Also, there will be lunch provided and not Dominos! Thanks to our hard workers at the Beach Clean Up we're going to have a better lunch tomorrow. It's a surprise. But show up. Guaranteed not Dominos.

Also, don't forget to vote in the Writs today or tomorrow.

FREE LUNCH this WEDNESDAY

Yes that's right. This Wednesday at 12PM (room TBD) we will have a special guest speaker--Scott Anders from the Energy Policy Initiative Center (EPIC) here on campus. EPIC integrates research and analysis, law school study, and public education, and serves as a source of legal and policy expertise and information in the development of sustainable solutions that meet our future energy needs.

Scott will be addressing us on his latest project regarding solar energy. He's really a nice guy and very informative. If you are interested the sustainability of solar energy and other green energy plans or are interested in working for EPIC while you're here at USD this is a great opportunity to meet Scott and here what he does at EPIC.

Info on where the lunch will be will be provided as soon as "Cowboy" Bill approves our room.
Thanks.

Hi all. If you are starting to think about a career in environmental law one way to get in is with another degree. That's right more school. But if you are interested in exploring your options here are some schools that offer great programs and are nationally recognized as leaders in environmental law and natural resource law.

Lewis and Clark School of Law
University of Denver School of Law
University of Colorado at Boulder
George Washington School of Law
Vermont Law School
Pace University School of Law

I hope you guys enjoy your search.

Great Opportunity for the summer for 1Ls and 2Ls:

2007 Fellowships in Environmental Law
(click above for link)
The American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources is pleased to announce the sponsorship of Fellowships for eligible law students during the summer of 2007. The ABA Fellowships in Environmental Law, formerly the Minority Fellowships in Environmental Law , is designed to encourage disadvantaged or traditionally underrepresented law students to study and pursue careers in environmental law.
The Section's work on environmental justice is coordinated with not-for-profit organizations representing traditionally underserved groups, other not-for-profit environmental organizations, and local, state and federal governmental organizations which provide placements for our summer Fellowship recipients.
Guidelines: Selected Fellowship recipients will have an 8-10 week internship commitment and will work on legal matters for a government agency or public interest organization in the fields of environmental, energy or resources law. Please note that recipients will choose the state they wish to intern in, but will not be able to select where or in which organization they will be placed.
Stipend: Each successful recipient will receive a $5,000 ($6,000 for New York Fellows) stipend in exchange for participation in the Fellowship program. The stipend does not cover travel expenses or include a housing allowance; these expenses are paid by the Fellowship recipient.
Qualifications: The Fellowship program is available to first and second year law students or third year night students from underrepresented or underserved groups, including for example, minority or low-income populations. It is generally preferred that you select the state where you are attending law school or have permanent residency status. Exceptions can be made, but preference will generally be given to those attending school, those who have permanent residency, or those who have a strong interest in the state that they are applying to. Students must complete and submit a Fellowship application in order to be considered.

Attn: Fellowships in Environmental Law
American Bar Association
321 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610