Environmental Studies

The Environmental Studies Program in Yale College provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and responding to environmental problems. From the natural sciences, students learn experimental techniques and methods of analysis needed to make accurate observations, to document change, to distinguish those changes resulting from human activity, and to understand what comprises healthy landscapes and functioning ecosystems. Students look to the humanities and social sciences for explanations of the ways people behave and for analyses of our institutions and their social, political, and economic activities. Learn more at http://evst.research.yale.edu/

Environmental Politics and Law
with John Wargo

Can law change human behavior to be less environmentally damaging? Law will be examined through case histories including: environmental effects of national security, pesticides, air pollution, consumer products, plastics, parks and protected area management, land use, urban growth and sprawl, public/private transit, drinking water standards, food safety, and hazardous site restoration. In each case we will review the structure of law and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.