Climate Change

Global climate change has become one of the most significant environmental, economic, and societal issues currently confronting the global community. This class will explore the legal, political, and scientific challenges involved in addressing and responding to climate change. The first part of 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 second part of the class will focus on United States law and policy and ask whether existing laws or proposed legislation could effectively limit emissions of greenhouse gases. Finally, the class will examine proposals for addressing climate change in the future. Course evaluation is by a final exam.