Environmental law is a broad field of law that encompasses much more than environmental protection. More than relevant legal doctrines, federal and state statutes, regulations, and administrative law principles are required of those who practice environmental law. They must also be able to evaluate public policy, comprehend economics, science, and the principles that underpin environmental protection. While attempting to litigate for their clients, they must also sift through the bureaucratic and political aspects of environmental law and policy. A successful environmental lawyer is able to solve environmental issues while also understanding the broader social, economic, and political implications of environmental law.
Environmental law can cover a wide range of issues, the majority of which fall under the umbrella term “environmental degradation.” Environmental law can address issues such as air pollution, water pollution, and the regulation of hazardous wastes, to name a few. Furthermore, environmental lawyers frequently deal with issues such as ecosystem protection and natural resource management. As a result, environmental law prioritizes cleaning up and preserving the air, water, and land, though economics occasionally plays a role.
The majority of the time, the issues are governed by a series of laws, the most far-reaching of which is the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. NEPA’s goal is to force government agencies to consider how their decisions impact the environment. There are also a slew of federal statutes that govern and compel compliance on a wide range of issues. Insecticides and Environmental Pesticide Control, Conservation, Endangered Species, the Clean Water Act, Atomic Energy, Noise Pollution, and the Clean Air Act, for example, are all covered in detail in the United States Code. There are numerous cases pending in the Supreme Court, lower courts, and state courts that set precedent for future cases.
A person interested in pursuing a career in environmental law has several options. She could work for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she would collaborate closely with state and local agencies and deal with issues that fall under any of the numerous federal statutes and enactments. She could also work for a state or local government agency, advising on environmental issues. There are also opportunities to work for large corporations, such as oil and gas companies, providing legal advice and ensuring that the company is aware of the legal implications of polluting the environment and violating environmental laws. She also has the option of working for an environmental organization such as the Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, or Greenpeace.