A Planet Worth Fighting For: Perils, Promise, and Partnerships in Uncertain Times
UConn Law’s Annual Earth Day Conference 2025 asked the question, “What is the future of environmental policy in a changing legal environment?” An array of legal, scientific, and policy experts discussed the future of climate science, federal and state policy, and, of course, the law. Where do we go from here on a planet worth fighting for?
The conference convened policymakers, regulators, scientists, scholars, and activists across disciplines, states, and nations to chart our course forward. The panels analyzed obstacles and emphasized opportunities for action and optimism in the coming years. The Conference featured a multi-media exhibit where students, artists, and other members of the community shared pieces that inspire them to action.
Welcome and Opening Remarks were done by Dean Eboni Nelson, Professor Joseph MacDougald and Brynn Furey.
Panel #1: Climate Change and Gun Policy: Hard Problems & the Law After Loper Bright. The experts on this panel tackled how climate change and gun policy represent two of the hardest problems that agencies and experts face and how recent Supreme Court cases, from Loper Bright to Cargill, have created doubt about the utility of agencies in dealing with challenging issues. Speakers included Jennifer Dineen, Michael Fitzpatrick, Josh Galperin, Douglas Letter, and Tanya Schardt. The moderator was Professor Joseph MacDougald.
Panel #2: International Environmental Policy in a Time of Political Change. This panel analyzed obstacles and opportunities for the United States to support international environmental policy. Speakers looked beyond the Paris Climate Agreement and explored ways we can stay involved in environmental policy across nations. Speakers included David Azoulay, Stacy VanDeveer, and Delta Merner. The moderator was Paschaline Poku.
Panel #3: State Responses to a Changing Federal Landscape. The final panel charted obstacles and opportunities at the state level, looking for a path forward. Speakers discussed policymaker and activist work in Connecticut and beyond. Speakers included Denise Stranko and Ethan Elkind. The moderator was Denise Stranko.
There were three keynote speakers for this event. First was Robert Percival, a leading scholar and professor in environmental law. He delivered his address entitled “Checks Without Balance: Can Environmental Law Survive the Trump Administration? Percival offered his perspective on the current moment in environmental policy, highlighted where we have been and shared a vision for the future. Second was Delta Merner, a lead scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists. She provided an update on current climate science and shared how this science affects policy and the law. She offered attendees a scientific and technical understanding of where we are and where we are headed. Lastly was Katie Dykes, the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. She shared her perspective on Connecticut policy and regulation in a changing legal environment.