LAW589
Climate Change Law & Practice
Prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite for:
Instructor(s): Professor Adebayo Majekolagbe
Course credit: 3
Method of presentation: Seminar
METHOD OF EVALUATION
1. Placement participation and reflection – 40%
2. Project Report – 60%
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Climate change is the defining reality of the century. It affects every area of life and mandates the rethinking and remaking of international and domestic laws and policies. This experiential learning course equips students to understand current trends in international and domestic climate laws in various sectors. Importantly, students are given the opportunity and tools to contribute to the making and remaking of laws and policies that are alive to the unique demands of climate change.
The course entails:
i. One-week intensive (2 classes, 3 hours each) on introduction to international and Canadian climate change laws and policies and placement orientation.
ii. A four-week placement (10 hours per week) with a Canadian or Albertan environmental non-governmental organization working on projects including:
a. Legal frameworks on carbon-rich ecosystems and climate change
b. Effective and equitable renewable energy policies
c. Meaningful engagement and citizenship ownership of the green transition
d. Law, ethics, and technological solutions (e.g., geoengineering) to climate change
e. Legal frameworks for post-fossil ecosystem restoration and community renewal
iii. One week of debriefing and knowledge sharing (2 classes, 3 hours each)
The placements will be virtual unless when informed otherwise.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested students should email an application package including a cover letter and CV before end of day, Friday, February 28, 2025 to Adebayo.Majekolagbe@ualberta.ca. Please identify three of the five issues listed above, ranking them in the order of preference in your cover letter. Students can register for the course on Beartracks after acceptance into the course.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
Description updated 2024-25. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.
REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY):
Readings will be assigned, and electronic copies provided.