In five years of writing for various audiences, Uche has learned to simplify career-focused content for ambitious learners regardless of their qualifications. Her work is published in notable platforms such as Hackernoon and Hashnode.
Nneoma Uche Education WriterIn five years of writing for various audiences, Uche has learned to simplify career-focused content for ambitious learners regardless of their qualifications. Her work is published in notable platforms such as Hackernoon and Hashnode.
Written By Nneoma Uche Education WriterIn five years of writing for various audiences, Uche has learned to simplify career-focused content for ambitious learners regardless of their qualifications. Her work is published in notable platforms such as Hackernoon and Hashnode.
Nneoma Uche Education WriterIn five years of writing for various audiences, Uche has learned to simplify career-focused content for ambitious learners regardless of their qualifications. Her work is published in notable platforms such as Hackernoon and Hashnode.
Education Writer Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Updated: Jan 4, 2024, 1:20am
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Are you passionate about combating climate change and keeping the world safe? If so, you might consider a career in environmental law.
This article explores how to become a lawyer who specializes in the environment. Here, we explain everything you need to know about this impactful career path, including law school admission requirements.
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Environmental law refers to any regulations enforced by local, national and international entities that affect how humans treat the world around them. This broad term applies to all aspects of the law that protect our environment. Environmental law encompasses any policies that ensure climate stability and the safety of natural resources such as land, water, minerals, forests and air.
Throughout history, world leaders have taken initiatives to protect human health by regulating the environment. In 1306, under King Edward I, England prohibited the burning of sea coal in London to improve air quality. Other 20th-century environmental policies include:
According to the World Health Organization, climate change impacts water, air quality, shelter and food resources, all of which factor into human health. These determinants are precisely what climate change policies seek to preserve. Climate change law ensures that the Earth remains a habitable abode for humans and animals to thrive for the foreseeable future.
Climate change lawyers advise clients on technological innovations that can help reduce carbon emissions and global warming.
Energy law includes all legal provisions governing the use and taxation of renewable energy sources (e.g., hydropower, geothermal, solar, wind and biomass) and nonrenewable resources (e.g., nuclear, coal, oil and gas).
Government-affiliated attorneys in this sector assist in developing and enforcing energy regulation policies. Private energy lawyers may also act as in-house counsel for utility companies.
This aspect of environmental law protects poor and marginalized communities from exposure to resource extraction and land use hazards. Environmental justice attorneys represent these low-income communities by suing the government agencies and corporations responsible for harmful exposures.
Food laws govern the cultivation, processing and transport of food. This subcategory of environmental law protects public health by regulating the distribution and consumption of food. Attorneys in this field protect consumers’ interests by suing government agencies and corporations for perpetuating food processing practices that negatively affect human health.
The international environment goes beyond the U.S. government. In this case, power resides with international bodies set up to target specific environmental problems (such as air pollution and ozone pollution) that affect different countries.
International environmental lawyers help draft treaties that bind member states of an international organization. These professionals also ensure the implementation of environmental laws and settle disputes among members.
This aspect of law governs the use of land, setting legal standards for city planning and zoning. Land use attorneys may work in the public sector, enforcing land usage policies to protect natural resources and wildlife. They could also work for corporations and developers, using their skills to challenge land use limitations stipulated by the government.
Natural resource laws govern the use and protection of environmental resources such as water, timber, minerals, oil, public lands and wildlife. Lawyers in this field advise real estate developers on executing their projects according to the state’s natural resource laws.
Pollution control law prohibits the use and spread of substances that contaminate air, soil and water. These laws are often drafted and enforced by pollution control attorneys on behalf of the government.
Water laws protect rivers, lakes and oceans from pollution. These policies guard aquatic organisms and humans alike. When people have access to clean water, this reduces the risk of contracting waterborne diseases. In addition, water laws preserve aquatic ecosystems by keeping marine habitats free from oil spills and other carbon emissions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not report on environmental lawyers specifically. However, lawyers as a group earn a median annual salary of $135,740, according to May 2022 BLS data.
As illustrated by the various types of environmental law discussed above, environmental lawyers may tackle a wide variety of responsibilities. Their duties may include:
Environmental lawyers may work in a variety of environments, including the following.
Choosing a law school is about much more than prestige. Let’s look at some crucial factors that aspiring law students should consider before selecting an environmental law program to attend.
Below, we list the standard prerequisites for gaining admission into law school.
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Education WriterIn five years of writing for various audiences, Uche has learned to simplify career-focused content for ambitious learners regardless of their qualifications. Her work is published in notable platforms such as Hackernoon and Hashnode.
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