Colorado Wild Fires Catch Nation's Attention

Colorado has been prominent in the news due to the spread of wild fires. One of the largest fires, the High Park Fire, began 15 miles west of Fort Collins with a strike of lightning.  Currently, the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs doubled in size overnight and has forced the evacuation of more than thirty thousand residents.  Reports indicate that this is the second worst wild fire in Colorado history.

 The dry conditions and a record low level of snow pack is fueling the fires. Record-breaking temperatures, strong winds and thunderstorms are also hampering efforts to control the fire. "The fire conditions could not be worse," said Anne Rys-Sikora, spokeswoman for a multiagency fire response team. "It is like a convection oven out there."

About half of the nation's large wild fire personnel are now focused in Colorado, reported US Forest Service chief, Tom Tidwell. The US Forest Service has been given assistance from the Air Force through the loan of four C-130 cargo planes to drop fire retardant or water. President Obama is scheduled to visit the Waldo Canyon area on Firday "to view the damage and thank the responders bravely battling the fire."

We wish those fighting the fire strength and continued safety. Our thoughts are with those who have suffered loss due to the fires. Here is information of how you can help.

Angelica Oman
Graduate Program Assistant

Denver Law Students Win Prestigious Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarships

Three Denver Law students have won scholarships from the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. Elisabeth A. Hutchinson, Robert N. Miller II, and Jennifer A. Urban have been awarded the prestigious scholarships for the 2012-2013 period.  Twenty scholarships in total were awarded, and the three won by DU students represented the most won by any single university's students.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy program at Denver Law, said, "The Denver Law program has a long history of students winning these important scholarships.  The scholarships represent a tremendous achievement because they are highly sought after.  We are delighted with this outcome and we thank the Foundation for the critical role it has and continues to play in the education of young professionals who are interested in the natural resources sector."

Law students enrolled at one of the Foundation's 30 member law schools and who can demonstrate a commitment to the study of natural resources law are eligible to apply.

The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation is one of the world's leading natural resources-focused organizations.  With members from across the world, the Foundation is a leader in continuing professional education.  Its incoming president is Denver Law graduate Catherine J. Boggs.

Rio+20 Earth Summit 2012

Thousands of people are meeting at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development this month in Rio de Janeiro. The first UN Conference on Sustainable Development took place 20 years ago in Rio de Janeiro, hence the name Rio+20. The objectives of the Summit are to secure renewed political commitment to sustainable development, to assess progress towards internationally agreed goals on sustainable development, and to address new and emerging challenges.

The meetings this month are hoping to inspire a call for action from its attendees. It is hoped that there will be a shift away from long term pledges and toward creating friendly competition between the nations of the world to outperform each other. The two main areas of focus are poverty eradication and sustainable development in a green economy and creation of an institutional framework for sustainable development.

Leaders of the world are gathering to share their definitions and action plans for achieving sustainable economic development. US President Barack Obama, India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, Francois Hollande of France and Vladimir Putin of Russia are among the attendees. It is predicted that there will be disagreement between developed and developing countries as their priorities clash. The tension is caused by the 'common, but differentiated responsibilities' of the two.

Reaching agreement on sustainable development and poverty eradication are the ultimate goals of the Conference. Developed countries may need to provide technology and infrastructure support to enable developing nations to comply with the sustainability goals.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Mexico: First Developing Country to Enact Legislation Against Climate Change

In early June, President Felipe Calderon signed a law introducing climate change legislation. The bill was passed by a unanimous vote in the Senate back in April. This demonstrates an overwhelming consensus on climate change.

The law outlines several goals focussing on reducing the rate of greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. By 2024, 35% of Mexico's energy will need to be generated from renewable resources. In addition, government buidlings will be mandated to use renewable energy.The rate of greenhouse gas reduction is 30% by 2020 and 50% by 2050.

The legislation is impressive for a developing country, especially a country that depends heavily on its oil exports. Most countries in this position fight climate change initiatives as they believe it will damage their oil economy. Mexico is leading the way for developing nations in climate change legislation.

Angelica Oman

Graduate Program Assistant

Stockholm-based Scandinavian Correspondent of the Times and Sunday Times of London Marcus Oscarsson to Participate in "EU Environmental Law" Course at Denver Law

Marcus Oscarsson, a recognized Swedish authority about European Union and U.S. politics, will moderate a discussion board about EU environmental politics and related issues in this summer's Denver Law course offering "European Union Environmental Law & Policy."  He is a long-time contributor to Denver Law's European Union-related courses, having first been a guest lecturer in 2004 and every year since.

Mr. Oscarsson, who has worked for the Swedish Government and the Swedish Parliament, has a background in economics and journalism.  He covers Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden for the Times and the Sunday Times of London and covers the U.S. 2012 Presidential election for Swedish broadcaster TV4.

He is a respected authority about U.S. politics.  In this regard, he has spoken about U.S. presidential campaigns, U.S. elections, and transatlantic relations at the Swedish Parliament, the Swedish Ministries for Foreign Affairs and Defense, the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm and the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.

Don C. Smith, the director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program at Denver Law, teaches "EU Law & Policy" as well as "EU Environmental Law & Policy."  He has asked Mr. Oscarsson to play a role in all of his EU courses, making these courses among the most unique of their kind in the U.S.

"Marcus is exceptionally well qualified to help students understand the always interesting and sometimes vexing relationship between the EU and the U.S.   This is vitally important in a world where the EU and U.S. are two of the key actors on nearly every issue one can imagine," Mr. Smith said.

"His vast experience in Europe as well as the fact that he has lived and worked in the U.S. make him one of the most insightful observers anywhere regarding the transatlantic relationship.  It is wonderful that he will be joining us and helping all of us understand this relationship, which anyone who is interested in how the world works really needs to understand."

The University of Denver will host the first 2012 Presidential Debate on October 3.  The debate will be organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates, which was established in 1987 to ensure that debates are part of every U.S. general election.  While tickets to the debate will not be available to the public, the University has received and reserved a small amount of tickets for students.  DU students will be eligible to place their names in a lottery drawing for tickets.

Don Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy program said, "There will be a great deal of interest in the debate and, in terms of our program, the policies and positions taken by the candidates regarding environmental and natural resource issues.  The August-November semester at Denver Law promises to be filled with enmormous interest in American politics and what it will mean for government."  

Renewable Energy Award Given to Professor K. K. DuVivier, Who Teaches Energy Law at Denver Law

Recently, the The Renewable Energy and Sustainable Design in Buildings Award was presented to Professor K.K. DuVivier and her husband, Lance Wright. The award is given by the Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES).  It honors building owners, builders and construction companies for innovative uses of renewable energy in buildings.

The home of Professor DuVivier and her husband was built following Passive House super-insulation and passive solar principles. The house produces more energy than it consumes and does not require a furnace or air conditioning. For more information about the house, follow this link.

Don Smith, Director of Denver Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, said, "It is a great pleasure to congratulate Professor DuVivier and Lance Wright since they really live the type of life they espouse.  Their leadership on energy issues is inspiring to students, faculty, friends, and all those who are interested in a world that is looking for new energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions."

Bill Ritter Jr, 41st governor of Colorado (on left) presents
award to Professor DuVivier and Lance Wright at
the World Renewable Energy Forum in Denver.