The Climate Judiciary Project is a first-of-its-kind effort that provides judges with authoritative, objective, and trusted education on climate science, the impacts of climate change, and the ways climate science is arising in the law. About CJP Connect with CJP Guy Bowden Climate Science and Law For Judges Introduction Discover how the Climate Science and Law for Judges Curriculum was developed, explore the topics covered, and see how it can be used. How Climate Science Works Paul A. Hanle, Michael D. Mastrandrea Discover the long-established scientific underpinnings of climate science, methods used to reach conclusions and consensus, and key differences between scientific and legal procedure. What is Causing Climate Change? Inez Y. Fung Learn why greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are related to global temperatures and what this tells scientists about future temperatures. The Impacts of Climate Change Katharine J. Mach Use a risk framework to understand the main consequences of increased heating of the planet—today and for the future. Climate Justice Amruta Nori-Sarma, Quinn Adams, Beth Haley, Devin O’Donnell, Katharine Teigen, Jonathan Levy Draw on case studies to learn how some areas and populations are experiencing more severe climate impacts than others. Risks and Costs of Climate Change Gary W. Yohe Gain approaches and tools for understanding the costs of climate impacts and managing risk to reduce the likelihood of future impacts. Drawing the Causal Chain: The Detection and Attribution of Climate Change Michael F. Wehner Learn how scientists detect human-induced climate change and attribute long-term climate trends and extreme weather events to these changes. Solving the Climate Change Problem Climate Judiciary Project Team Consider the technologies and strategies available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and envision a realistic way for humanity to cut emissions while continuing to prosper. Overview of Climate Litigation Sandra Nichols Thiam, Jarryd C. Page Survey the field of climate litigation to learn about landmark decisions in the U.S. and how climate science comes up in federal and state cases. Applying Attribution: Impacts of Climate Attribution Science on Tort Litigation Douglas A. Kysar, Isabella Soparkar Look at how different types of attribution science are likely to intersect with climate-related tort claims. Government Action and Climate Science Jessica A. Wentz Explore how courts use climate science to review government regulations and administrative decisions, and legal obligations. Fundamental Rights Barry E. Hill, Jarryd C. Page Focus on the fundamental rights implicated by climate change and the trends and legal issues judges may encounter as a result. Procedural Techniques Available for Climate Litigation Robin Kundis Craig Discover specialized procedural techniques that are helpful in a variety of climate cases, particularly in tort litigation. Judicial Remedies for Climate Disruption: A Preliminary Analysis John C. Dernbach, Patrick A. Parenteau Review U.S. climate cases to explore different science-based remedies related to climate mitigation and adaptation. Curriculum Summary Testimonials It’s been truly a privilege. I am welcomely absorbing everything that has been brought to us and I look forward to carrying that forward and paying it forward... Judge Sam Scheele Lake Superior Court, Civil Division – Indiana These cases are coming to our front door. The science is evolving, and we must ensure we have a baseline of knowledge so we’re prepared to handle the challenges these cases will present. Justice Stacy Boulware Eurie Third Court of Appeal - California With the growth in climate-related litigation, judges need this kind of education to be prepared to weigh scientific evidence and make better informed decisions. I commend the ELI team for its creativity, diligence, and success to date in meeting this need. Larry Kramer Former President, William + Flora Hewlett Foundation I’m really energized by the program.... I think it’s going to be essential. There’s a lot of information coming at us, the judiciary, that we need to understand... to be able to deal with these issues effectively. judge participant [Judges] need to have the scientific background to understand the science, to know what resources to look for,... to know what questions to ask people.... We have a legal need to be gatekeepers about good and bad science. judge participant See All Meet the ExpertsCJP experts are recognized leaders in the fields of climate science and law research, scholarship, and education. Paul A. Hanle Michael D. Mastrandrea Inez Y. Fung Katharine J. Mach Jonathan Levy Amruta Nori-Sarma Gary W. Yohe Michael F. Wehner Sandra Nichols Thiam Jarryd C. Page Douglas A. Kysar Isabella Soparkar Jessica A. Wentz Barry E. Hill Robin Kundis Craig John C. Dernbach Patrick A. Parenteau Quinn Adams Beth Haley Devin O’Donnell Katharine Teigen Paul A. Hanle Michael D. Mastrandrea Inez Y. Fung Katharine J. Mach Jonathan Levy Amruta Nori-Sarma Gary W. Yohe Michael F. Wehner Sandra Nichols Thiam Jarryd C. Page Douglas A. Kysar Isabella Soparkar Jessica A. Wentz Barry E. Hill Robin Kundis Craig John C. Dernbach Patrick A. Parenteau Quinn Adams Beth Haley Devin O’Donnell Katharine Teigen See All Latest News Thursday, September 19, 2024 Landmark Climate Settlement Highlights Relevance of Climate Science for Judges Dara Albrecht, Research Associate Image On June 20, 2024, four days before the case was set to go to trial, Hawaiʻi’s First Circuit Court approved a landmark settlement that resolved claims brought by thirteen Hawaiʻian youth plaintiffs against Hawaiʻi’s Department of Transportation (HDOT) and other defendants, including the department director and Governor. Read More Friday, May 3, 2024 Introducing the Climate Judiciary Project — A Conversation with Berkeley Law Institute Climate Judiciary Project Staff Image Are you noticing more cases involving issues of climate science on the court docket? Read More See all news Upcoming Events There are currently no upcoming events scheduled. The CJP team is here to support access to, sharing, and improvement of judicial education resources. Please submit any comments or suggestions via our contact form. Contact Us
Introduction Discover how the Climate Science and Law for Judges Curriculum was developed, explore the topics covered, and see how it can be used.
How Climate Science Works Paul A. Hanle, Michael D. Mastrandrea Discover the long-established scientific underpinnings of climate science, methods used to reach conclusions and consensus, and key differences between scientific and legal procedure.
What is Causing Climate Change? Inez Y. Fung Learn why greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are related to global temperatures and what this tells scientists about future temperatures.
The Impacts of Climate Change Katharine J. Mach Use a risk framework to understand the main consequences of increased heating of the planet—today and for the future.
Climate Justice Amruta Nori-Sarma, Quinn Adams, Beth Haley, Devin O’Donnell, Katharine Teigen, Jonathan Levy Draw on case studies to learn how some areas and populations are experiencing more severe climate impacts than others.
Risks and Costs of Climate Change Gary W. Yohe Gain approaches and tools for understanding the costs of climate impacts and managing risk to reduce the likelihood of future impacts.
Drawing the Causal Chain: The Detection and Attribution of Climate Change Michael F. Wehner Learn how scientists detect human-induced climate change and attribute long-term climate trends and extreme weather events to these changes.
Solving the Climate Change Problem Climate Judiciary Project Team Consider the technologies and strategies available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and envision a realistic way for humanity to cut emissions while continuing to prosper.
Overview of Climate Litigation Sandra Nichols Thiam, Jarryd C. Page Survey the field of climate litigation to learn about landmark decisions in the U.S. and how climate science comes up in federal and state cases.
Applying Attribution: Impacts of Climate Attribution Science on Tort Litigation Douglas A. Kysar, Isabella Soparkar Look at how different types of attribution science are likely to intersect with climate-related tort claims.
Government Action and Climate Science Jessica A. Wentz Explore how courts use climate science to review government regulations and administrative decisions, and legal obligations.
Fundamental Rights Barry E. Hill, Jarryd C. Page Focus on the fundamental rights implicated by climate change and the trends and legal issues judges may encounter as a result.
Procedural Techniques Available for Climate Litigation Robin Kundis Craig Discover specialized procedural techniques that are helpful in a variety of climate cases, particularly in tort litigation.
Judicial Remedies for Climate Disruption: A Preliminary Analysis John C. Dernbach, Patrick A. Parenteau Review U.S. climate cases to explore different science-based remedies related to climate mitigation and adaptation.
Thursday, September 19, 2024 Landmark Climate Settlement Highlights Relevance of Climate Science for Judges Dara Albrecht, Research Associate Image On June 20, 2024, four days before the case was set to go to trial, Hawaiʻi’s First Circuit Court approved a landmark settlement that resolved claims brought by thirteen Hawaiʻian youth plaintiffs against Hawaiʻi’s Department of Transportation (HDOT) and other defendants, including the department director and Governor. Read More
Friday, May 3, 2024 Introducing the Climate Judiciary Project — A Conversation with Berkeley Law Institute Climate Judiciary Project Staff Image Are you noticing more cases involving issues of climate science on the court docket? Read More
