environmental research Archives

environmental research

The Latest Step in Trump’s War on Science

OMB’s proposed new rule seeks to politicize research funding across the entire federal government

Last week, Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed a sweeping new regulation of grants across the federal government. Here are two quick takeaways. First, OMB gives every sign of realizing it is on shaky legal ground. Second, the OMB rule seeks to continue Trump’s 2025 campaign to rip apart research funding. The goals of that campaign were to destabilize scientific research; squelch research on forbidden topics like climate change, clean energy, race, and gender; and inhibit academic criticism of the Administration. The legal basis for the 2025 campaign was dubious, resulting in serious litigation setbacks. OMB is now trying to create a foundation for making the war on science permanent.

The Philanthropy Gap

Spending relating to climate change is far too low given the urgency of the situation.

Larry Kramer, who heads the Hewlett Foundation, pointed out in a speech five years ago that climate change accounted for less than 2% of foundation spending. He called upon “anyone who cares about our children’s and grandchildren’s futures to step forward.” The situation has gotten only a bit better since 2017. In 2020, according to a McKinsey …

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A Time For Privacy: California Legislature Moves to Protect Academic Research

In an era defined in Washington by lies and the suppression of scientific research, California is positioning itself as a defender of facts and free inquiry. Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D, Los Angeles) this week introduced Assembly Bill 700, a bill sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) to address the harm inflicted on public …

Continue reading “A Time For Privacy: California Legislature Moves to Protect Academic Research”

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Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

The Drain is a roundup of climate and environmental news from Legal Planet delivered to your Inbox once a week.

UCLA Law Clinics File Brief in the “Mecheros” Case

UCLA’s Human Rights Litigation Clinic and Environmental Law Clinic represent experts in a long-running case that seeks to stop harmful gas flaring in Ecuador.

The Other Big Environmental Case at the Supreme Court

Guest contributor Clifford Villa writes that Dept. of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, which will be argued Wednesday, raises profound questions for democracy and environmental justice.

The Arguments We Did and Didn’t Hear in Suncor v. Boulder

Oral arguments in the climate case before the Supreme Court gave hints to possible outcomes. But one of Boulder’s strong answers to the “tort suits are regulation” objection went unmade.

Permitting Reform Bill: NEPA Remedies

Efforts to tailor remedies for NEPA violations address an important issue, but may have misfired

Three Cheers for Two Clean Energy Victories for California

Gov. Newsom signed SB 1359 and AB 2313, two bills that the UCLA Emmett Institute had identified as clear winners for ratepayers.

A quick overview of the Senate permitting reform bill

Senate bill has major changes for NEPA, some changes for Clean Water Act

From Desert to Oasis?

Xi Jinping’s Tree-Planting Toast and the Future of U.S.-China Environmental Cooperation

Get Out the (Green) Vote

The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.

The Emmett Institute Celebrates Our “Genius” Alumna, Holly Buck

The latest MacArthur Fellows include Holly Jean Buck, a sociologist and energy policy researcher investigating the social, ethical, and political dimensions of emerging climate policies.

Some (Very) Modest Progress on EV Charging Policy

Three new bills address challenges, but bigger opportunities await

environmental research

OMB’s proposed new rule seeks to politicize research funding across the entire federal government

Spending relating to climate change is far too low given the urgency of the situation.

Join Our Mailing List

Climate policy is changing rapidly. Stay in the loop with expert analysis via email Monday - Friday.

The Drain is a roundup of climate and environmental news from Legal Planet delivered to your Inbox once a week.

TRENDING

Guest contributor Clifford Villa writes that Dept. of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, which will be argued Wednesday, raises profound questions for democracy and environmental justice.

Support for Clean Energy from an Unexpected Direction

Oral arguments in the climate case before the Supreme Court gave hints to possible outcomes. But one of Boulder’s strong answers to the “tort suits are regulation” objection went unmade.

The new CAFE standards are a master class in pretending you’re implementing a law while totally sabotaging it.

Efforts to tailor remedies for NEPA violations address an important issue, but may have misfired

It’s well past time to end sacrifice zones, including the area that has been treated as “Mexico’s toilet bowl” for decades.

Gov. Newsom signed SB 1359 and AB 2313, two bills that the UCLA Emmett Institute had identified as clear winners for ratepayers.

Senate bill has major changes for NEPA, some changes for Clean Water Act

Xi Jinping’s Tree-Planting Toast and the Future of U.S.-China Environmental Cooperation

The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.

UCLA’s Human Rights Litigation Clinic and Environmental Law Clinic represent experts in a long-running case that seeks to stop harmful gas flaring in Ecuador.

Guest contributor Clifford Villa writes that Dept. of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan, which will be argued Wednesday, raises profound questions for democracy and environmental justice.

Oral arguments in the climate case before the Supreme Court gave hints to possible outcomes. But one of Boulder’s strong answers to the “tort suits are regulation” objection went unmade.

Efforts to tailor remedies for NEPA violations address an important issue, but may have misfired

Gov. Newsom signed SB 1359 and AB 2313, two bills that the UCLA Emmett Institute had identified as clear winners for ratepayers.

Senate bill has major changes for NEPA, some changes for Clean Water Act

Xi Jinping’s Tree-Planting Toast and the Future of U.S.-China Environmental Cooperation

The Drain is a roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.

The latest MacArthur Fellows include Holly Jean Buck, a sociologist and energy policy researcher investigating the social, ethical, and political dimensions of emerging climate policies.

Three new bills address challenges, but bigger opportunities await