There are many views and voices when it comes to environmental protection. These varied viewpoints are important if we are to continue our decades-long progress in protecting human health and the environment. Respectful discourse and fact-based solutions will be increasingly important in a growing global economy that will see Earth’s population grow to a projected 9 billion people by 2050.
Environmental groups and the regulated community are often times at odds. But that does not mean there cannot be open and rational dialogue. Several years ago I was at a large conference for dairy producers, and the conference speakers included someone from World Wildlife Fund. While the two groups likely had different opinions on issues such as environmental protection and regulation, their presence at the conference allowed for an exchange of differing viewpoints.
However it seems there is an unsettling yet growing trend… not of rational and open dialogue, but of irrational close-minded views that leave no room for compromise. A couple of recent observations below.
Listening to differing viewpoints without pre-judging will help find solutions (Photo by M ACCELERATOR on Unsplash)
Law Students Question Law Firm Ethics
Law Students for Climate Accountability sent a letter to the Law Firm of Gibson Dunn with whom they take issue regarding the clients they represent. In this letter they state, “Gibson Dunn has consistently and actively used its legal skills to advance the interests of high-paying companies that cause immense harm to the climate and frontline communities, particularly Indigenous communities. Gibson Dunn has represented Dakota Access despite significant environmental impacts and its incursion on sacred Sioux land. Likewise, Gibson Dunn has aggressively litigated to ensure Chevron evades liability for dumping billions of gallons of toxic waste in Ecuador.”
“Gibson Dunn’s pattern of representation suggests that there is no ethical standard guiding its work, with profit consistently overriding pressing issues of justice. We are left to wonder if there is any case Gibson Dunn would not take on.”
I would hope these future lawyers and judges are not prejudging cases on which they may provide legal counsel.
Senate Bill Inflammatory Language
In Oregon, Senate Bill 583 that was dead on arrival sought to limit dairy farms. The bill used what some viewed as inflammatory language. For example the one page bill states, “The Legislative Assembly finds that it is in the best interest of Oregonians to prohibit the proliferation of industrial dairies until the impacts of industrial dairies, including impacts to air quality, climate, water quality, water supplies, small- and medium-sized dairies, community and worker health and animal welfare, have been adequately studied and addressed through laws and rules (emphasis added).”
Opposition to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) is not new and agriculture like any other business has environmental management obligations. However, calling CAFOs “industrial dairies” in a piece of legislation does not instill confidence that the law would be objective and fact-based.
Oregon Farm Bureau Responds
Mary Anne Cooper, vice president of public policy for the Oregon Farm Bureau said, “The implication is that if a lawmaker dislikes a certain sector of the farm industry, the Legislature is willing to consider banning it. That should be very scary for anyone in agriculture.” I would add that this dislike for any industry could result in unfavorable legislation.
Fair representation, honest, fact-based dialogue, and a recognition that if we are to protect human health and the environment, feed and employ a growing global population, and maintain our freedoms will require respectful discourse and reasonable compromise.
In our nearly 35 years in business, Dragun Corporation has provided litigation support. Over these years, we’ve supported both defendants and plaintiffs. No matter the case, we focus on scientific and regulatory facts – and will continue to do so in the future. You can reach us at 248-932-0228 or info@dragun.com.
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