GEL research group leader Mike Angstadt was thrilled to co-lead the First Global Symposium and Author Workshop on Earth System Law, held in Wageningen and Utrecht, Netherlands. Over fifty participants from across the globe contributed to a day of research presentations. The following day, nearly forty participants jointly explored new research directions that can better orient law to pressing global transformations. The work was jointly sponsored by Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and the ERC "ProblemShifting" grant, and CC's Environmental Studies & Science Program.

Following on the workshop, GEL research group members Mike Angstadt and Alondra Valdez are working to assemble and distill insights in support of a global, co-authorship process!

GEL group leader Dr. Mike Angstadt recently published "Revisiting Precaution in Domestic Climate Change Lawsuits" in ​Environmental Law, the law review of Lewis & Clark Law School's environmental law program. The article explores how the "precautionary principle," international environmental law concept, has inflected domestic climate change lawsuits in the United States and elsewhere. It suggests that evolving political contexts and interpretations of this important IEL norm may call for a reexamination of the implications of this often-cited concept, and it lays a foundation for more forward-looking climate litigation in a challenging political moment. Mike is thrilled to have had this article accepted in ​Environmental Law, the nation's oldest law review dedicated to exploring environmental law, and the article is freely available here. 

​law.lclark.edu/live/files/37420-7angstadtpdf#:~:text=Domestic%20climate%20lawsuits%20provide%20an,principle%20has%20evolved%20through%20its

I am grateful to have received a 2025 summer Jackson Fellowship from Colorado College's Hurlbert Center for Southwest Studies. The funding will support the GEL group's ongoing research exploring the unique jurisdictional attributes of Colorado's system of specialist water courts. This work was initiated in summer 2023 in collaboration with GEL group alum Zoey Roueche-and continues to provide a valuable bridge between Earth system law academic theory and institutional practice. 

GEL group alum Zoey Roueche and Prof. Mike Angstadt presented at the 2024 Law & Society Association's conference in Denver, Colorado. Zoey explored how we might equip Colorado's water courts to address the challenges posed by climate change. Through senior thesis research, she arranged interviews, analyzed qualitative data, and distilled insights for a conference audience. The GEL group intends to extend this research in coming years by further examining the implications of Colorado water courts' unique geographic jurisdiction, which is defined by river basin.

I was fortunate to attend the 2018 Utrecht Conference on Earth System Governance. I presented a component of my dissertation research, attended a task force for a book project to which I am a contributor, and established connections with many environmental law researchers from around the world. My attendance was facilitated by Colorado State University and my advisor, and I am grateful for what proved to be a fantastic opportunity! 

I will be defending my PhD dissertation, entitled "Green Courts and Global Norms: Specialized environmental courts and the global governance of environmental challenges," on November 30, 2018 at Colorado State University! I am grateful for the support I have received throughout my dissertation, and I look forward to returning to sunny Fort Collins! 

I have been accepted to present a portion of my dissertation research at the 2018 Utrecht Earth System Governance conference in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The conference will be held from 5-8 November, and I look forward to sharing my research interests and findings with an interdisciplinary network of scholars!

I was honored to receive an invitation to share my research interests in domestic and international environmental law with students and faculty at Colorado College. CC enjoys a breathtaking location at the base of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, and its location, coupled with an engaged campus community, made for an inspiring visit!