William F. Starr Hall

UConn Law's Annual Earth Day Conference 2025 asks the question, "What is the future of environmental policy in a changing legal environment?" Join an array of legal, scientific, and policy experts to discuss 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?Our conference convenes policymakers, regulators, scientists, scholars, and activists across disciplines, across states, and across nations to chart our course forward. The panels will analyze obstacles and emphasize opportunities for action and optimism in the coming years. The Conference will feature a multi-media exhibit where students, artists, and other members of the community can share pieces that inspire them to action.  8:15 AM - Registration begins8:45 AM - Welcome and Opening Remarks 9:00 AM - Keynote byRobert Percival Keynote speaker Robert Percival, leading scholar and professor in environmental law, will offer his perspective on the current moment in environmental policy, highlighting where we have been and sharing a vision for the future. 9:50 AM - Panel #1:Climate Change and Gun Policy: Hard Problems & the Law After Loper Bright Climate change and gun policy represent two of the hardest problems that agencies and experts face. Recent Supreme Court cases, from Loper Bright to Cargill, have created doubt about the utility of agencies in dealing with challenging issues. The experts on this panel will tackle those issues. Speakers:Jennifer Dineen (https://publicpolicy.uconn.edu/person/jennifer-dineen/)Michael Fitzpatrick (https://www.brunswickgroup.com/michael-fitzpatrick-i25155/)Josh Galperin (https://www.pace.edu/profile/josh-galperin)Douglas Letter (https://www.bradyunited.org/about-us/our-team/brady-leadership/douglas-letter)Tanya Schardt (https://www.bradyunited.org/about-us/our-team/experts/tanya-schardt) Moderator: Professor Joseph MacDougald (https://law.uconn.edu/person/joseph-a-macdougald/#:~:text=Biography-,Joseph%20A.,the%20Energy%20%26%20Environmental%20Law%20Society.)   11:10 AM - BREAK   11:20 AM - Keynote byDelta Merner Keynote speaker Delta Merner, a lead scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, will provide an update on current climate science and share how this science affects policy and the law. She will offer attendees a scientific and technical understanding of where we are and where we are headed.   11:45 AM - Panel #2:International Environmental Policy in a Time of Political Change The third panel will analyze obstacles and opportunities for the United States to support international environmental policy. Speakers will look beyond the Paris Climate Agreement to explore ways we can stay involved in environmental policy across nations. Speakers:David Azoulay (https://www.ciel.org/about-us/ciel-staff/david-azoulay/)Stacy VanDeveer (https://www.umb.edu/directory/stacyvandeveer/)Delta Merner (https://www.ucsusa.org/about/people/delta-merner) Moderator: Paschaline Poku (https://law.uconn.edu/person/paschaline-poku/)   12:45 PM - LUNCH   1:30 PM - Panel #3:State Responses to a Changing Federal Landscape The final panel will chart obstacles and opportunities at the state level, looking for a path forward. Speakers will discuss policymaker and activist work in Connecticut and beyond. We will begin with introductory comments from Katie Dykes, the Commissioner of the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. Speakers:CT DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes (https://portal.ct.gov/deep/about/commissioner/commissioner-katie-dykes---biography)Denise Stranko (https://www.savethesound.org/about-us/our-staff/denise-stranko)Michael Myers (https://www.pli.edu/faculty/michael-j.-myers-i918908)Ethan Elkind (https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/clee/about/people/ethan-elkind/) Moderator: Denise Stranko (https://www.savethesound.org/about-us/our-staff/denise-stranko)   3:00 PM - Closing remarks and ice cream social  If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the Law School at 860-570-5079 or via email at law.studentservices@uconn.edu at least two weeks in advance.

Conferences & Speakers