Tulane Environmental Law Summit

With the inauguration of a newly elected US president, who platform is based on change, this year’s summit theme was appropriately titled “Defining Green in Times of Change.

Cherylyn Tompkins of NOLA.Tv interviewed a number of prominent environmental advocates at Tulane University 14th Annual Environmental Law Summit. She spoke with Russell Jim: Director, Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program, Yakama Indian Nation on “A Reservation of Rights”

The environment is historically and intimately intertwined with the Native American culture. His discussion was on federal mismanagement of tribal resources and species, and the resultant threat to Native American way of life.

Tompkins asked the critical question, are we Going Green in the Big Easy. How can environmentally conscious consumers be more “green” without breaking the bank? Three new programs putting the Crescent City on the path to green, including local government, energy and construction initiatives.

Our country is experiencing changing political, economic and physical landscapes. In Wash¬ington, a new administration has inherited not only preexisting environmental challenges but a spectrum of competing responses as well. The current economic crisis has potential to threaten among much else, conservation efforts and the development of green technologies and at the same time, our physical environment is seeing degradation of natural resources, threatened wildlife populations, sprawling exurbs, shifting energy portfolios, mounting contamination in oceans and waterways and increasing storm surges. And in 2009, the Gulf Coast remains a flashpoint for preservational crisis.

The conference invited a wide range of speakers to cover a host of issues around the environment and the laws and policies that affect change in the personal lives and global atmospheres.

Carbon: Tax it or Trade it?
With a New Administration at the helm, the debate on which system for reducing carbon emissions is before us. Should a Cap & Trade system or a Carbon Tax be the policy of America?

This Land is _____ Land
An examination of constitutional takings issues in recent environmental litigation. Discussion will range from climate change and resultant coastal loss to flood liability questions in federal navigational projects.

We the People
The Environmental Justice movement has become one of the most powerful efforts in environmental law. An exploration into issues including waste disposal and the displacement of low-income residents for large scale development projects.

The Future of Oil…Now
Louisiana contains one of the richest supplies of petroleum in the United States—so what will a fluctuating domestic oil industry and competition from international sources mean? A look at Louisiana’s strategic petroleum reserves, the New Administration’s leasing policies and what it all means for Louisiana’s future.

Live from the Dead Zone
Voices from the front lines of coastal advocacy, including hypoxia litigation. Discussion not only examines the Gulf Coast's expanding Dead Zone, but also analogizes legal and policy strategies initiated in at-risk coastal regions across the country. Sponsored by the Gulf Restoration Network.

“The Low-Carbon Diet”
We are what we eat, and so is the planet. Experts in climate change, agriculture and ecology will discuss how we grow food, what we eat, and the impacts of “industrial” farming. Presented by Tulane Univer¬sity Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF).

Are the Supremes Green?
Federal pre-emption of state regulation tops headlines in 2009, not only in tobacco and pharmaceutical cases before the Court, but also in the Obama Administration’s push to decentralize emissions standards. A timely look at the future of federal pre-emption of state environmental controls, as well as a review of the United States Supreme Court’s current environmental caseload.

This is only the beginning of the many conversations and summits, in attempt to tailor laws and policies to fit the changing times of our local, region and global conservation efforts.