Media Advisory: New Book on Judicial and Legislative Settlements of Major Health and Environmental Crises — Online Press Conference November 12
David J. Hayes of the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center and Scott Fulton of the Environmental Law Institute to announce release of Looking Back to Move Forward: Resolving Health & Environmental Crises
The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center and the Environmental Law Institute will hold an online press conference on November 12 at 11:00am ET to announce the release of Looking Back to Move Forward: Resolving Health & Environmental Crises, a new book on key lessons learned from past judicial and legislative settlements of major health and environmental crises, including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” scandal, the Superfund program, the health harms of asbestos exposure, and others. The book is a rich source of valuable insights for attorneys, judges, legislators, other advocates, and the interested public as they grapple with future challenges, such as the opioid epidemic, PFAS contamination and the climate crisis.
The press conference will feature Scott Fulton, President of the Environmental Law Institute, and David J. Hayes, Executive Director of the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center.
Please register here. For more information on the press conference or the book, please contact Stephen Read at [email protected].
Advance Praise for Looking Back to Move Forward:
“Essential reading in understanding the policy implications of health and environmental tragedies. A cogent study of when our Courts work effectively—and when they don’t. What are the competing alternatives? You’ll find the answers here.”
– Kenneth R. Feinberg, Administrator of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund & the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Fund
“Looking Back to Move Forward: Resolving Health & Environmental Crises offers a timely master class on the strategies and tools used by advocates, judges, legislators, and policymakers to resolve some of the most high-profile— and vexing—health and environmental challenges of our time, from tobacco exposure to VW’s diesel deception. Packed with detail, Looking Back distills key guiding principles, replicable models and pitfalls to avoid. As we continue to confront complex crises, like the existential threat of climate change and the epidemic of opioid addiction—both fueled by corporate deception and denial— we can draw on these crisply rendered lessons learned to protect the health of our communities and environment and hold accountable those who violate the law.”
– Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey
“When the health and environmental threats of the 21st century feel unsurmountable, this book reminds us that our judicial system can help meet enormous challenges, as prosecutors and lawyers showed with tobacco. By focusing on past approaches to major settlements, the State Impact Center illustrates how the law helps confront pressing issues, like climate change, when other branches are captive to industry influence.”
– U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI)
Sweeping in scope yet exquisite in detail, Looking Back to Move Forward chronicles the most serious health and environmental crises of the past century. By tallying what our courts and policymakers got wrong and right, the volume is an essential resource for those confronting today’s challenges—and those who will address calamities to come.
– Professor Nora Freeman Engstrom, Stanford Law School
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About the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center:
The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan academic center at NYU School of Law. The Center is dedicated to working towards a healthy and safe environment, guided by inclusive and equitable principles. The Center studies and supports the work of state attorneys general (AGs) in defending, enforcing, and promoting strong laws and policies in the areas of climate, environmental justice, environmental protection, and clean energy.