Environment – Page 2 – The GW Point Source

November 9, 2023November 15, 2023

The Second Annual J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Distinguished Lecture on Global Climate Change and Energy Law

By Claudia Delgado

On October 26, 2023, GW Law’s Environmental and Energy Law Program hosted its second annual J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Distinguished Lecture on Global Climate Change and Energy Law. This lecture celebrates the vision and leadership of Professor Arnold Reitze, who founded and directed GW Law’s Environmental and Energy Law Program from 1970-2008. The Shapiro Distinguished Lecture brings globally recognized environmental experts to Washington D.C. to address cutting-edge issues on climate change and energy law.

October 23, 2023December 19, 2023

The 2023 Earth Law Symposium and the Road Ahead

Participants in the 2023 Earth Law Symposium

By Johanna Adashek

At the intersection of people and the planet, Earth Law is a broad term encompassing the rights to a healthy environment, rights of nature, Indigenous rights, rights to future generations, and much more. Earth law is foundational in its emphasis on interdependency among Earth’s systems and its recognition that humans also flourish when the Earth can flourish. Earth law takes an ecocentric view, recognizing the inherent importance of protecting the Earth for the sake of the Earth itself. GW Law’s Environmental and Energy Law Program is proud to have co-hosted the 2023 Earth Law Symposium with the Earth Law Center, where experts, leaders, academics, and practitioners discussed and analyzed shortcomings and advancements in current statutes, regulations, legal systems, and governance strategies to protect our fragile planet and its vulnerable communities.

October 2, 2023October 4, 2023

Fast Fashion: Polluting our Water Millions of Clothing Items at a Time

By Vanessa Turk

What is fast fashion and why is it a problem?

“Fast fashion” refers to the business model of mass-producing replicas of the latest clothing trends and designs at a low cost and selling them rapidly in stores while the demand is at its highest. This objective of helping consumers acquire the latest in fashion trends comes at a huge environmental price, however. Overconsumption of water and water pollution are two of the most concerning forms of environmental harm that fast fashion imposes on the environment. These impacts from fast fashion need to be addressed effectively and quickly through new accountability mechanisms and possible systemic changes in the fast fashion industry.

August 25, 2023September 25, 2023

Microgrids: Community-Based Electricity for a More Equitable Energy Future

By Meghan Briggs

In 2022, electricity costs in the United States rose by 14.3% for the average consumer compared to 2021. Power outages due to severe weather have doubled since 2002, causing extended losses of electricity and endangering lives. In the absence of affordable cooling, heatwaves threaten the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. Microgrids, among other emerging energy technologies, can help make the U.S. energy grid more resilient and reliable in the face of these challenges. If implemented in a way that centers energy equity and justice, microgrids can also help make the U.S. energy system more equitable. This article explores microgrids and discusses how they are being deployed to improve energy reliability and resilience and to support energy equity and justice for vulnerable communities.

August 12, 2023October 4, 2023

The Potential for Greenwashing from “Green” Trademarks and Marketing

By Vanessa Turk

The world is moving into an era of heightened environmental consciousness. This is driving businesses to enhance their commitment to sustainable practices. Registering a green trademark is one of many ways for a business to implement more sustainable practices, but it comes with the potential for greenwashing, which can have adverse legal consequences. Greenwashing is the practice of making a product or practice appear more environmentally friendly than it really is by using unsubstantiated and misleading claims about the sustainability of products, services, or practices.