By: Meghann Principe The Global Climate Summit of 2021, or COP26, took place October 31st and ended on November 12th. Although it took nearly two weeks and was the most well-attended global climate summit to date, this global charade could have been an email (https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-which-countries-have-sent-the-most-delegates-to-cop26). Before COP26, the United Nations […]
Legal Voice Blog
R.S. 2477 and the Impact on the Western United States
By: Maegan Stump Revised Statute 2477 (R.S. 2477) was originally enacted as a grant of rights-of-way in Section 8 of the Mining Act of 1866. R.S. 2477 states, “The right of way for the construction of highways over public lands, not reserved for public uses, is hereby granted.” At the […]
What Ever Happened to the Green “Real” Deal?
By: Gabrielle Kolencik Alexandria Ocasio Cortez has made quite the impression on her “Green New Deal,” so much so that back in 2019 Congressman Matt Gaetz came up with his own agenda: The Green “Real” Deal. What is the Green New Deal, and what’s going on with both of these […]
COVID-19 Commute: Air Quality During the Work From Home Era
By: Ellie Blixt At the end of December 2019, a contagious respiratory illness was reported in Wuhan, China. For the first few weeks, the World Health Organization (WHO) had doubts that the roots of the illness (pneumonia-like cases) stemmed from a new coronavirus.[1] As early as January 21st, 2020, the […]
Joule Volume 9 – 2021
Joule 2021 – Volume 9
Why are Gas Prices on the Rise and is This Out of the Ordinary?
By: Devon Valinsky If you are someone who drives frequently, you are likely aware of the sharp increase in gas prices over the last few months. You may also be aware of much of the political posturing and theories on why these prices have been on the rise. The U.S. […]
Cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline: Good or Bad?
By: Morgan Scheckel Within his first few days in office, President Biden signed an executive order which revoked the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline.[1] The project was proposed in 2008 by TC Energy and it was designed to transport tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast […]
Final Days / First Days: The Trump Administration’s Environmental Rollbacks and the Biden Administration’s Reversal
By: Abigail Zonarich Noted to be the “most anti-nature president in U.S. history,”[1] former president Donald Trump operated his final days in the Oval Office with vengeance against the American environment; aiming to diminish and eliminate strong protections against notoriously harmful, anti-environmental practices, Donald Trump continued to work solely for […]
Can the Biden Administration Revoke Leases for Arctic Drilling Granted by the Trump Administration?
By: Nina Victoria On January 6, 2021, only fourteen days before President-Elect Joe Biden is inaugurated, the Trump Administration will begin selling oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.[1] However, there are compelling reasons to prevent drilling in the region including to protect vulnerable arctic wildlife, the […]
The End of the Salmon Run: Environmental Organization’s Lawsuit Against EPA Wraps Up
By: Sarah Machinak After seven years of litigation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has negotiated settlement terms by way of a proposed stipulated order of partial dismissal in its battle with Northwest Environmental Advocates [“Northwest”], an organization that works to restore water quality and habitats. Northwest, in conjunction with the […]