Leonard Leo’s group criticizes efforts to educate judges on climate issues

A rightwing think tank tied to Leonard Leo is accusing a nonprofit’s climate change seminars for judges of unfairly influencing the judiciary to favor climate lawsuits.

Dharna Noor and Alice Herman report for The Guardian.

In short:

The Environmental Law Institute’s (ELI) Climate Judiciary Project offers neutral education to judges on climate science for use in related litigation.
The American Energy Institute (AEI), a pro-fossil fuel think tank, alleges that the program unfairly supports plaintiffs in climate cases, releasing a report claiming bias.
AEI’s report was edited and promoted by CRC Advisors, a PR firm chaired by Leonard Leo, known for shaping the conservative US judiciary.

Key quote:

"ELI’s seminars are giving judges the ABCs of climate change, which is a complicated subject that they ought to know about."

— Kert Davies, director of special investigations at the Center for Climate Integrity

Why this matters:

Climate-related litigation could hold fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis. Efforts to educate judges about climate science may be key to ensuring fair and informed legal outcomes in these cases.

www.theguardian.com

Leonard Leo’s group criticizes efforts to educate judges on climate issues

A review of rescued climate data

Trump ordered to release billions in climate grants

Amid renewable energy backlash, some Nebraska communities are making millions

Scientists define a new category of heat wave: ‘Snow eaters’

Ohio steel giant aims to use Biden climate funds for polluting project

Pennsylvania coal industry positions itself for a future in energy and new tech

Warning for heat and drought-hit UK: It gets worse without climate action

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.