Gene Drives, Biodiversity Conservation, International Law, and Emerging Politics
My latest article is published by Global Environmental Politics
A set of new biotechnologies are being developed that will force many of us, especially those concerned about biodiversity loss, to re-examine how we understand the relationship between biotechnology and conservation. These are "gene drives," which would be used to genetically modify, reduce, or eliminate populations of species. My paper "Governing New Biotechnologies for Biodiversity Conservation: Gene Drives, International Law, and Emerging Politics" was published toda...
CONTINUE READINGBattle for the Senate: Colorado
A Republican who's expressing support for the environment, versus a Democrat who wants to do a lot more.
The Colorado Senate race pits incumbent Republican Cory Gardner against John Hickenlooper. Gardner makes a point of stressing his support for environmental protection and has apparently been working hard to strengthen his environment record since he moved to the Senate in 2014. Cory Gardner. Gardner’s Senate website touts his bipartisanship. It says that he “was ranked the 3rd most bipartisan Senator by The Lugar Center for his work in the 116th Congress to bu...
CONTINUE READINGTaking Technology Seriously in Global Environmental Politics
A special issue on new technologies is now available
I am proud to announce a special issue of Global Environmental Politics on new technologies, edited by Simon Nicholson of American University and me, is now available. We write in the introductory essay: Human beings are at once makers of and made by technology. The ability to wield tools was an essential ingredient in propelling an otherwise unremarkable ape to a position of dominance over ecological and even planetary affairs. This dominance has been attained throu...
CONTINUE READINGHerd Immunity
What Could Possibly Go Wrong with Trump’s Latest Coronavirus Idea?
"Herd immunity" seems to be gaining ground in the White House as a coronavirus strategy. The idea is to protect the vulnerable population, while letting the virus run its course among the rest. The disease then dies out because so many people are immune. What could possibly go wrong? In theory, this idea would work, if having a mild or asymptomatic case gives long-term immunity, and if the vulnerable can be fully protected. We’re not positive about the first ass...
CONTINUE READINGRed Paint Would Curb Public Access to Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, One of Los Angeles County’s Most Significant Open Spaces
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council votes to restrict public street parking near Portuguese Bend Reserve
See a full set of photos illustrating parking restrictions at Portuguese Bend Reserve on the Emmett Institute Flickr page. At its Sept. 1 meeting, the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council responded to public concern about its new parking restrictions by voting unanimously to move away from a full parking prohibition and remove a limited number of parking spaces along Crenshaw Blvd. Using COVID-19 for cover, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes took steps this...
CONTINUE READINGBattle for the Senate: The Environmental Stakes in Arizona
In an election that could determine control of the Senate, the candidates’ views are far apart.
In Arizona, the Senate race pits two former military pilots against each other. The Republican incumbent is not as rabidly anti-environmental as some of her colleagues, but clearly is no fan of regulation. Her opponent is committed to fighting climate change and seems open to major federal investment in renewable energy. Martha McSally. The incumbent Republican was appointed to fill out Jon Kyle’s term and now faces a special election. Following a military career, s...
CONTINUE READINGTime to Get Serious about Climate Change and Oceans
Science can unlock powerful tools to fight climate change and ocean acidification, but only if we fund research and govern it well.
In the Before Time, I spoke with a few ocean scientists on climate issues, and I heard a common refrain. Climate change receives little attention or funding, considering the magnitude of the problem; climate impacts on oceans get even less; and marine carbon removal gets almost none at all. Humans are short-lived terrestrial creatures. When we do think about climate change, we tend to focus on its immediate impacts on land, like hurricanes, heatwaves, dr...
CONTINUE READINGFighting for Clean Air in Imperial County, California
UCLA Emmett faculty team up with environmental justice group to file amicus brief in Clean Air Act case.
Air pollution has devastating health effects in many of California’s inland communities. That’s the case for rural Imperial County, where one in five children suffer from asthma, double the state rate, due to high levels of air pollution from highway traffic, farming and livestock operations, desert dust, and industry in Mexicali, a large city just across the U.S.-Mexico border. Environmental and health advocacy groups recently sued EPA to require stronger air...
CONTINUE READINGBattle for the Senate: Too Close to Call in Maine
Control of the Senate may hinge on this race.
The 2020 Senate race pits Republican incumbent Susan Collins against Sarah Gideon. Collins is far more environment-friendly than her GOP colleagues. That still makes her much less so than Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) on the other side of the aisle. In contrast, Gideon supports much stronger climate action. Susan Collins. Collins is an outlier among Senate Republicans in her environmental views. Her campaign website doesn’t have an issues tab, which seems fairly usual amon...
CONTINUE READINGHurricanes, Wildfires, Climate Change and the Republican “Platform” and Convention
No Acknowledgment of the Biggest Environmental Existential Threat We've Ever Faced
Hurricane Laura is barreling down on Louisiana and Texas, bringing with it "unsurvivable storm surges" and "life-threatening hazards" to parts of the Gulf Coast. Louisiana Governor Jon Bel Edwards is imploring residents to evacuate: "This is a very serious storm -- I don't think I have ever held a press conference to take something as seriously as I am right now. Our state hasn't seen a storm surge like this in many decades. Same with wind speeds." Northern C...
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