Environmental Economics Professor Catherine Keske Says Coloradans "Value Our Environment"

Natural resources economist Catherine Keske has made a career of studying the value to Coloradans of a clean environment.

Her conclusion is that regardless of the ups and downs of economic cycles, people who live here "value our recreation" and "value our environment," according to a recent front-page article in the Fort Collins Coloradan ("Environment Still a Priority," April 25, 2010).

Dr. Keske, who is an assistant professor at Colorado State University and an adjunct professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, has also been featured on Colorado Public Radio (click here) where she talked about the relationship between spending and hiking Colorado's "fourteeners."

Students attending the Sturm College of Law benefit from Dr. Keske's insight into the role that economics plays in helping shape environmental policy. She teaches "Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment: Policy, Markets, and Economic Measurement," here at the law school, and in the fall semester of 2010 she will be teaching a new on-line offering entitled "Energy Economics and Policy."

Having experts such as Catherine Keske on the Sturm College of Law faculty make DU's environmental and natural resources offerings among the strongest in the world.

Environmental Courts and Tribunals Study Co-authored by DU Law Professor George (Rock) Pring Featured in The New York Times

The first comprehensive global report on the status of environmental courts and tribunals, which was authored by University of Denver Sturm College of Law Professor George (Rock) Pring and his wife Catherine Pring, was featured recently in The New York Times.

The report, "Greening Justice: Creating and Improving Environmental Courts and Tribunals," published by the Access Initiative of the Washington, D.C.-based World Resources Institute, identified 12 essential elements "that go into making environment courts successful," according to Prof. Pring.

According to the Times' article:

"The number of courts and tribunals specializing in environmental issues doubled during the past decade, prompted by increasingly complex regulations and growing concerns about natural resources, according to a new study."

The article, entitled "Study: Last Decade Saw Boom in Environmental Courts, Tribunals" (April 20, 2010), can be accessed by clicking here.

The map at left indicates (in green) the countries in which environmental courts or tribunals exist.

Please click here to visit the Prings' Environmental Courts and Tribunals website.

Students attending the Sturm College of Law have the opportunity of learning directly from world recognized environmental law professors such as Professor Pring. Among the courses he teaches are "Environmental Law," "International Environmental Law," and "International Water Law." He is also the faculty advisor for the University of Denver Water Law Review, the leading water law journal in the U.S.

The Law School Graduate Program Looks to Expand Relationships With Latin American Universities

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Graduate program is considering expanding study opportunities with one of Mexico’s premier educational institutions, the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, ITESM.

The ITESM was established in 1944 and has campuses in 27 cities across Mexico as well as offices in 14 countries. Their educational model “emphasizes collaborative work and uses didactic techniques such as problem-based learning, project-oriented learning, and the case-solving method. In this way knowledge is applied to solving real-life problems, it makes studying meaningful and becomes the object of critical reflection and social commitment.” Their commitment to internationalization is clear as well and it ties perfectly with our own efforts to increase the enrollment of Latin American students in our graduate program.

Assistant Graduate Program Director Lucy Daberkow recently met with representatives of the ITESM Campus Chihuahua, Dr. Tonatiuh Nájera, Dean and Professor at the School of Business and Humanities and with Ana Escobar, Director of Law Studies. During their meeting, several study opportunities that would benefit both institutions were discussed. For instance, offering online courses to fit the needs of student in both schools; exchange programs for students and faculty; creation of short-summer courses to benefit both schools.

Ms. Daberkow said, "We are truly thankful to Dr. Nájera and Ms. Ana Escobar for their hospitality and for the opportunity to work on many projects in the near future."

Stay tuned for more information.

Inter-American Development Bank to Promote Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Entire Western Hemisphere

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the United States have announced an enhanced effort to promote the development of clean energy sources throughout the western hemisphere.

Recently the IDB and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed an agreement aimed at facilitating DOE assistance to the IDB in the distribution of about $3 billion in funds for clean energy projects. An example of how the money will be spent was offered by IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno who said the bank would propose to the Haitian government a new energy infrastructure aimed at harnessing the island's wind, solar, and hydroelectric potential. He said:

"One billion dollars [for this project] is a lot of money...But imagine what it would mean to Haiti to reduce its burden from fuel imports. Furthermore, this would prove that renewable energy isn't a luxury, but rather a smart way of unleashing human potential in even the most difficult of settings."

The IDB and the DOE are also planning to establish an Energy Partnership for the Americas Innovation Center, which will be staffed by world leading renewable energy experts.

In addressing the partnership, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton noted the increasing interest in renewable energy all across the hemisphere and how energy issues are related to economic development:

"[The large income gap between north and south] is the most important challenge we face as fellow Americans. What do we do to make sure that we create rising incomes, improving standards of living for people from the Arctic to the very tip of South America? Energy is one of the keys that will unlock what has been a consistent challenge over so many decades. We cannot lose this opportunity."

Established in 1959, the IDB is the world's largest development bank. It reports to 48 western hemisphere countries.

Critical Climate Change and Water Law Issues Examined at the 2010 University of Denver Water Law Review Symposium

The important relationship between climate change and water law was considered recently at the 2010 DU Water Law Review Symposium, which was organized by the editors and staff of the University of Denver Water Law Review.

The symposium began with opening remarks by DU Law Professor George "Rock" Pring, a noted water law expert and Danielle Sexton, editor-in-chief of the Water Law Review.

Highlights during the symposium included:

• Brad Udall, Director of the University of Colorado NOAA Western Water Assessment who addressed projected climate change impacts on western U.S. water resources.

• Amy Beatie, Director of the Colorado Water Trust, talked about ethical issues in the water practice specifically involving appeals.

• Prof. Dan Tarlock, an internationally recognized expert in environmental law and the law of water use of the Chicago-Kent School Law addressed water and climate change and the strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

• Bart Miller, water program director for Western Resource Advocates explained the energy and water connection as it relates to oil shale development in Colorado.

• Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hobbs reviewed the work of the Colorado Water Courts.

The Water Law Review is an internationally circulated, semi-annual publication that serves as a high-quality forum for the exchange of ideas, information, and legal and policy analyses concerning water law.

According to Prof. Pring:

"First published in 1997, the Water Law Review is a practical resource for lawyers, policy makers, and students. Our continued involvement in the water law community allows us to stay current on developing water issues. Every issue includes up to date articles on developing water law issues, as well as several other useful and interesting resources such as biographies of water practitioners, book notes, conference reports, and coverage of water cases from all U.S. federal and state courts.

The Water Law Review is a student run journal. Students are responsible for the production of the journal, from the solicitation of articles to the final content editing and publishing. Students gain valuable experience in legal research, writing, management, and water law from their involvement on the Water Law Review."

Below are pictures taken at the conference.