For thousands of years, the Yurok people have looked to the Klamath River Basin close to California’s northern border for a rich variety of nutritional and cultural sustenance: salmon from the river, elk and berries from the forests, and mussels and clams along the coast, among other culturally significant species. But the arrival of European settlers in the 19th century brought changes that impeded tribal members’ ability to harvest on their ancestral territories.

On July 19, 2021, Cara Horowitz, Co-Director of the Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic, wrote to staff of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to share information relevant to the potential phase-out of oil and gas production activities in the Inglewood Oil Field, the largest urban oil field in the U.S., and to provide an assessment of how to accomplish such a phase-out. The letter was researched and drafted by Clinic students Madison Dipman ‘22 and Reilly Nelson ‘22 and was submitted on behalf of Clinic client the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Scholars from UCLA School of Law’s Promise Institute for Human Rights played a key part in defining the new crime of ecocide, which could have significant implications for battling climate destruction.

On June 10, 2021, ten Emmett Institute faculty members submitted comments to EPA supporting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Preemption rule, which would repeal the Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Rule Part One: One National Program rule (2019 Rule). The comment letter argues the 2019 Rule contravened Congress’ intent in enacting the Energy Policy and Conservation Act and its subsequent amendments, relied on dubious legal authority to adopt a preemption determination, and failed to adhere to bedrock principles of administrative procedure.

With the effects of climate change increasing across California, state legislators are exploring new policies to better protect communities – and students in UCLA School of Law’s California Environmental Legislation and Policy Clinic are helping.

Distinguished Professor Hiroshi Motomura and Professor Timothy Malloy were presented with the Rutter Award for Excellence in Teaching at a virtual ceremony on April 28. They are the 43rd and 44th recipients of UCLA School of Law’s highest honor for distinction in the classroom.