In a lecture to ASU law students, a guest speaker called attention to environmental threats as a human rights issue.
Erika George, the associate dean for equity, justice and engagement at the Boston University School of Law and a professor of international law, delivered the annual John P. Morris Memorial Lecture at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law on Sept. 17.
The lecture is named in honor of John P. Morris, the first African-American faculty member at ASU Law. George said she was grateful for Morris's service and for paving the way for others.
In her lecture, George covered the history of climate change and its impact on human rights in the U.S. and abroad.
"Whether you're in Angola or Arizona, you are all equal in dignity and entitled to the same things," George said.
Health threats and land loss especially impact marginalized or Indigenous communities that George said may live in "sacrifice zones," or places that may not be politically powerful enough to resist them. She said these places are often resource-rich but impoverished or isolated.
George said law students should be aware of these issues and, as future lawyers, stay vigilant of the legal action they could be taking.
"We're concerned with everyone everywhere, regardless of race, color, national origin (or) income, but we can look to those as an indicator of where we need to pay attention," George said.
Lawyers and policymakers use international findings to make informed decisions about where to direct their efforts to provide environmental justice, George said. That data is crucial for forming global climate goals and providing a basis for environmental litigation.
"These aren't about my goals," George said. "These are global climate goals. This is not even about me. I mean, it is about all of us. I don't really see it as an individual thing."
George said she became personally interested in human rights after learning of the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, a Nigerian environmental activist who criticized the country's government and global petrochemical company Royal Dutch Shell, now called Shell plc. She also said that applying international law to private entities is critical to protecting both the environment and those who advocate for it.
Students should work to uphold environmental justice, promote corporate responsibility and reduce risks to human rights, George said. She added they should consider the importance of activism and civic participation in their work.
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"I hope to inform you, I hope to inspire you, I hope to leave you with a sense of purpose and possibility, and I'm part of the power of law and the power that each of you will have in this profession to make a positive difference," George said.
Jennifer Sanchez, a Valley resident, said she found George's lecture informational.
"What's going on with the world right now is an opportunity for people to come together," Sanchez said. "It's an opportunity to continue doing the work (and) continue bringing the community together."
Alex Smith, an ASU Law student, said George's lecture showed her good news about America's own involvement in environmental justice.
"I am really glad to hear that we are making progress in the Global South, and voices are being heard and amplified and things are being codified in the law," Smith said. "Oftentimes you see that it's very common in Europe and it's very common overseas, but (in) America we care less."
Smith added that the lecture demonstrated "the power that each and every individual has" to shape the world in their personal lives and careers.
George said that when law students come across the stories of people they're working with, they need to serve them beyond simply fulfilling their professional responsibilities.
“Climate is changing,” George said. "We should be too, in our own ways."
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Henry Smardo and Pippa Fung.
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Andi Ruiz is a politics reporter at the State Press dedicated to serving her community with truth and honesty in her reporting. She has been working in broadcast and news since high school and was recently an anchor at The Cut Network during her first year at Cronkite. She is going into her second year at ASU as a Barrett Honors student studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in political science.
