Environmental law project

FROM THE SYLLABUS:

Research Paper: Each student will develop a paper (approximately 15 pages) that describes a key environmental issue, explains its significance, and suggests a potential approach or

resolution. The paper will require research to describe the background of the environmental

issue, to explain the different positions surrounding the issue, and to suggest a way forward.

The paper must contain footnote references to source information and a bibliography listing

all sources consulted. Potential paper topics will be discussed in class. Let me know if you

would like feedback on a proposed paper topic.

ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE:

As reflected in the syllabus, papers generally should contain 3 parts: (1) a description of the

issue and its significance; (2) a discussion of the various viewpoints or alternatives surrounding

the issue; and (3) your own analysis, views, and potential solution. For example, if you are

writing about Arctic drilling for oil, you might describe the significant economic and

environmental issues surrounding Arctic drilling, provide an analysis of the arguments for and

against drilling, and provide your own views on the subject. Depending on the topic, the format

might vary somewhat. But it is important to choose a topic that allows you both to analyze the

issue and then provide your own views (even if it may be unrealistic for you to develop a

complete “solution”).

The paper must contain footnote (or endnote) references to all source information and a

bibliography listing all sources consulted. You should consult at least eight (8) reference sources

on the issue and at least three (3) of them should be primary sources – e.g., a study or report, a

final or draft regulation, a final or draft Environmental Impact Statement – as opposed to a

newspaper or journal article describing the issue.

POTENTIAL PAPER TOPICS

-- Approaches adopted in your State’s SIP under the Clean Air Act

-- Challenges of cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay

-- Polar bear listing under the Endangered Species Act

-- Nuclear power as an energy option

-- Petroleum vs. natural gas

-- “Clean” technologies: solar, wind, geothermal, other

-- Pros and cons of offshore oil drilling (or Arctic drilling)

-- Lessons learned from Deepwater Horizon spill

-- Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for natural gas

-- Pros and cons of carbon tax

-- Asian carp as invasive species in Lake Michigan

-- Overfishing: tuna

-- Overfishing: whales

-- Disposal of nuclear waste

-- Impact of Fukushima, Japan nuclear plant meltdown

-- Melting of arctic sea ice

-- Gulf of Mexico coastal pollution

-- Great Lakes pollution

-- Recycling successes and failures

-- Environmental justice successes and failures

-- Biofuels as alternative fuel source

-- Regulation of nanotechnology

-- State or regional cap-and-trade schemes

-- Environmental impact statement for a particular project

-- Pros and cons of mountain top removal mining

-- Environmental issues in FERC licensing of hydroelectric dams

-- OTHERS?