Sabrina McCormick1, Samuel J Simmens1, Robert Glicksman1, LeRoy Paddock1, Daniel Kim1, Brittany Whited1. 1. Sabrina McCormick and Samuel J. Simmens are with the Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Robert Glicksman and LeRoy Paddock are with George Washington University Law School. Daniel Kim is with the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration, George Washington University. Brittany Whited is with the US Agency for International Development, Washington, DC.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine how the courts, which play a critical role in shaping public policy, consider public health in climate change and coal-fired power plant lawsuits. METHODS: We coded US local, state, and federal court decisions relating to climate change and coal-fired power plants from 1990 to 2016 (n = 873) and qualitatively investigated 139 cases in which litigants raised issues concerning the health impacts of climate change. We also conducted 78 interviews with key litigants, advocates, industry representatives, advising scientists, and legal experts. RESULTS: Health has been a critical consideration in key climate lawsuits, but in a minority of cases. Litigants have presented health arguments most frequently and effectively in terms of airborne exposures. Health impacts have typically been used to gain standing and argue that the evidence for government actions is insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: The courts represent a pivotal branch of government in shaping climate policy. Increasing inclusion of health concerns in emergent areas of litigation could help drive more effective climate policymaking.
OBJECTIVES: To examine how the courts, which play a critical role in shaping public policy, consider public health in climate change and coal-fired power plant lawsuits. METHODS: We coded US local, state, and federal court decisions relating to climate change and coal-fired power plants from 1990 to 2016 (n = 873) and qualitatively investigated 139 cases in which litigants raised issues concerning the health impacts of climate change. We also conducted 78 interviews with key litigants, advocates, industry representatives, advising scientists, and legal experts. RESULTS: Health has been a critical consideration in key climate lawsuits, but in a minority of cases. Litigants have presented health arguments most frequently and effectively in terms of airborne exposures. Health impacts have typically been used to gain standing and argue that the evidence for government actions is insufficient. CONCLUSIONS: The courts represent a pivotal branch of government in shaping climate policy. Increasing inclusion of health concerns in emergent areas of litigation could help drive more effective climate policymaking.
Authors: Anthony Costello; Mustafa Abbas; Adriana Allen; Sarah Ball; Sarah Bell; Richard Bellamy; Sharon Friel; Nora Groce; Anne Johnson; Maria Kett; Maria Lee; Caren Levy; Mark Maslin; David McCoy; Bill McGuire; Hugh Montgomery; David Napier; Christina Pagel; Jinesh Patel; Jose Antonio Puppim de Oliveira; Nanneke Redclift; Hannah Rees; Daniel Rogger; Joanne Scott; Judith Stephenson; John Twigg; Jonathan Wolff; Craig Patterson Journal: Lancet Date: 2009-05-16 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Sabrina McCormick; Samuel J Simmens; Robert L Glicksman; LeRoy Paddock; Daniel Kim; Brittany Whited; William Davies Journal: Science Date: 2017-09-07 Impact factor: 47.728