Climate
We seek to end the systemic harm caused by climate change—from flooded homes to financial crises—that deepens existing social inequities and injustices.
The climate crisis presents an unprecedented challenge that threatens human rights and the very foundation of open society itself.
The increased economic and social strains brought by climate change provide authoritarians with the opportunity to use crisis as a reason to silence democratic debate, discriminate, and foment conflict across national borders. For too long, powerful opponents, including the fossil fuel industry and agribusiness, with their financial allies and lobbying might, have blocked much needed change.
With only a decade to stop climate damage from affecting every dimension of open society, solving the climate emergency will take courageous leaders—including from the legal community. Through litigation, legal advocacy, and legal empowerment we aim to disrupt global trade whose production chains enable shameful and illegal labor and environmental practices, such as the beef and palm oil industries. We are exploring ways to hold major carbon emitters accountable through the law, particularly for deforestation and sea level rise, by supporting the most vulnerable communities to fight back.
We recognize that in this moment of emerging COVID-19 recovery plans, fundamental decisions are at stake that will either drive progress towards an inclusive, green, and just future—or support the destructive, business-as-usual practices that threaten us all. That’s why we seek to hold states accountable to their national and international obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a just energy transition.
Toxic Forest Fires and COVID-19 Could Be a Deadly Combination in Southeast Asia
Yearly toxic smog from tropical forest and peatland fires in Indonesia, which spill into Malaysia and Singapore, could exacerbate the COVID-19 pandemic. The government and agri-businesses must change course now to avert this manufactured disaster.
Why Airline Bailouts Must Come with Carbon Emissions Reductions
Should the U.S. Congress continue to bailout airline executives and shareholders, it must do so without compounding our environmental crisis for decades to come.
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