Looking Back to Move Forward: Resolving Health & Environmental Crises
New book explores seven major health and environmental crises in recent decades, and the lessons they offer as we address future challenges.
Washington, D.C. — The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center and the Environmental Law Institute today announced the release of Looking Back to Move Forward: Resolving Health & Environmental Crises, a new book that examines and draws lessons from efforts to resolve seven complex, large-scale health and environmental crises in recent decades.
The book’s authors — leading experts on these crises — offer a wealth of insights that should guide the courts, Congress, advocates and policymakers as they address future challenges, including those already on our doorstep, such as climate change, the opioid epidemic and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination. The book includes:
Deep dives into seven recent health and environmental crises:
- Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Daughters
- Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
- National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act
- Asbestos
- Superfund Program
- Deepwater Horizon
- Volkswagen “Dieselgate”
A synthesis of lessons learned from these seven case studies, distilled into four key takeaways:
- Global settlements are not a necessary route for resolving major health and environmental problems.
- Do not compromise on the basics: Responsible parties must be held accountable and the offending conduct stopped, and victims must be compensated and damaged resources restored.
- Meaningful public participation in the resolution process and public support for proposed solutions will enhance the prospects of success.
- Nationally significant health and environmental crises present lawyers, courts, and policymakers with enormous logistical and management challenges that must be confronted and addressed.
Learn more about Looking Back to Move Forward:
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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.