Environmental Justice

Climate change has made clear that diversity increases the power of potential solutions and the resilience to adverse impacts – for ecosystems, social systems, economic systems and their various hybrids and combinations. As part of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Plan, the Sabin Center is committed to developing content and engaging in environmental issues faced by vulnerable communities.

Energy Insecurity Initiative

Michael Gerrard and Andrea Nishi are working with the Energy Bar Association, Center on Global Energy Policy, Dr. Diana Hernández of the Mailman School of Public Health, and a team of student volunteers on a research initiative exploring legal solutions to energy insecurity in the United States and Canada.

Cumulative Impacts Model Legislation

Michael Gerrard and Andrea Nishi worked with WE ACT for Environmental Justice to develop model legislation related to environmental justice, cumulative impacts analysis, and permit renewals for polluting facilities. Visit dismantlinginjustice.org to learn more about the project.

Transportation Climate Initiative

Michael Gerrard, Ama Francis and Hillary Aidun worked with WE ACT for Environmental Justice on issues related to the Transportation Climate Initiative. Read the report here.

Books, Articles, and White Papers

New York Adopts Nation’s Strongest Environmental Justice Law, by Michael B. Gerrard and Edward McTiernan (May 2023)
Status Report on Principles of International and Human Rights Law Relevant to Climate Change, by Katelyn Horne, Maria Antonia Tigre & Michael B. Gerrard (March 2023)
New York's Green Amendment: The First Decisions, by Michael B. Gerrard and Edward McTiernan (March 2023)
Climate Change and Indigenous Groups: The Rise of Indigenous Voices in Climate Litigation, by Maria Antonia Tigre (December 2022)
Helping New Jersey State Agencies and Departments Align Their Actions with GHG Reduction Mandates and Environmental Justice Principles, by Jennifer Danis and Zoe Makoul (May 2022)
Smart Surfaces, Smart Cities: Reducing Heat and Promoting Equity in Urban Areas, by Hillary Aidun (September 2021)
Using New York Law to Advance Equity in the Transportation & Climate Initiative Program, by Hillary Aidun, Ama Francis and Michael B. Gerrard (August 2021)
Emerging State-Level Environmental Justice Laws, Michael B. Gerrard and Edward McTiernan, New York Law Journal, May 13, 2021
Michael Gerrard co-authored the chapter on environmental justice for a new edition of the book Environmental Aspects of Real Estate and Commercial Transactions.
The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act's Environmental Justice Promise, by Hillary Aidun, Julia Li & Antonia Pereira (April 2021)

Comments and Legal Briefs

Comments on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings (December 2021)