Law

Episode 5: Kate Higham

March 26, 2019 Grace Nosek

Grace chats with Kate Higham, the inaugural Coordinator of the University of British Columbia Climate Hub and a longtime human rights advocate, about the vital connection between human rights and climate change, how corporations might be held legally accountable for harms arising from climate change, and what strategies the Climate Hub has used to build excitement and momentum around climate justice. They talk about the power of youth-led climate movements, and how to find joy in collaborative climate action.

Call to Action

Today’s call to action is to learn about and support youth-led climate initiatives. Youth across the world are organizing for climate justice in so many different ways, including divestment campaigns, political movements like Sunrise Movement, education initiatives, rallies, and school strikes. They need allies to show up to, support, and amplify their movements. I’ve posted some links to get you started.

Volunteer for Sunrise Movement

Support the Global Youth Climate Strikes

Support the UBC Climate Hub

Mentioned in this Episode

Climate Change and Human Rights

Kate’s Thesis (Reimagining responsibility: how human rights due diligence practices could inform judicial responses to climate accountability litigation)

UBC Climate Hub

Divesting From Fossil Fuel Companies

Episode 4: Kelsey Skaggs

February 19, 2019 George Radner

Grace chats with Kelsey Skaggs, lawyer and Executive Director of the Climate Defense Project, about suing Harvard for its failure to divest from fossil fuels while still a law student and the growing momentum around the climate necessity defense. They talk about the decades-long campaign by members of the fossil fuel industry and their allies to undermine climate science and disempower the public, and how regular people have found the courage to risk their bodies and their freedom in nonviolent civil disobedience against government and industry policies that worsen the climate crisis.

Call to Action

To understand the shrinking options available for people to have a say in the climate policy debate and why folks might feel compelled to participate in civil disobedience. Look up the climate change counter movement and #Exxonknew to understand how members of the fossil fuel industry and their allies have been undermining climate science for decades. I’ve posted some links to get you started.

What Exxon Knew About Climate Change

The Climate Change Counter Movement

Climate Direct Action

Four Necessity Valve Turners

Mentioned in this Episode

Fossil Fuel Divestment Lawsuit Against Harvard

Climate Defense Project

The Climate Necessity Defense, in Pictures

1 in 6 Americans Would Engage in Non-Violent Civil Disobedience

Juror Who Hears Climate Necessity Defense Speaks About the Need for Climate Action

West Roxbury Pipeline Protesters Not Guilty By Reason of Necessity

Video of Interfaith Action Against the West Roxbury Pipeline

Episode 3: Lindsay Borrows

November 26, 2018 Grace Nosek

Grace chats with Lindsay Borrows, lawyer, author, and linguist. Lindsay is a member of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. Her love for the land, water and story-telling inspire her to explore law as a way to strengthen relationships between humans and non-humans in the spaces we call home. Lindsay talks about her new book, Otter’s Journey through Indigenous Language and Law, detailing the parallels between the revitalization of Indigenous language and the revitalization of Indigenous law and explaining the power of having law written on our hearts. She tells the story of “Waabooz, onginii-waabigwaniin gaye” about the rabbit and the roses, giving us a window into one way to engage with Indigenous laws, and discusses the critical link between Indigenous law and climate justice.

Call to Action

Look up at least one of the resources on Indigenous law that Lindsay mentioned on this episode and then share in with your community! I’ve posted some links below to get you started:

Indigenous Law Research Unit (ILRU)

Otter’s Journey through Indigenous Language and Law

Decision of the Heiltsuk (Haíɫzaqv) Dáduqvḷá Committee

Northern Tribes Buffalo Treaty

Indigenous law: an introduction (6-minute video)

Indigenous law, gender, and sexuality (10-minute video)

Indigenous law: tough questions (10-minute video)