The law makes change — join us, as we make that change. Subscribe to Earthjustice emails.
The Fight Doesn't End With Kavanaugh
The legal landscape for key environmental fights extends far beyond just the Supreme Court.
By Patrice Simms & Brielle Green | October 12, 2018
Activists protest outside the Supreme Court after the confirmation vote of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Alex Brandon / AP
The confirmation process for Justice Brett Kavanaugh was painful for many of us. Earthjustice stood staunchly against his nomination — both because of the jurist we know Justice Kavanaugh to be, and because we believe Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Despite having every opportunity to get it right, our lawmakers once again failed all of us by charting a course that was deeply disrespectful to survivors of sexual assault and offensive to our bedrock principles of equity and justice.
While Kavanaugh's confirmation has raised concerns about the impartiality of the judicial branch, we believe the courts remain a place for those left behind by the political system to seek justice. And Earthjustice has a plan to keep them that way.
Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Tom Williams / Pool Image via AP
First, the laws and statutes protecting our communities, our public health, and our planet remain robust. Earthjustice has nearly 50 years of experience navigating and pushing forward those laws to save lives, reduce pollution, and preserve our most irreplaceable natural wonders. Those laws don't simply disappear because Brett Kavanaugh got confirmed. In fact, the clear mandates in those laws provide a powerful tool that is more important than ever to push back against polluters and their cronies.
Second, the legal landscape for key environmental fights extends far beyond just the Supreme Court. In fact, the vast majority of cases we work on are ultimately decided by lower courts. Earthjustice has filed more than 110 lawsuits against the Trump administration's efforts to gut environmental safeguards, and we are winning many of those fights long before they ever reach the Supreme Court.
Third, while the Trump administration's efforts to fill federal courts at all levels with polluter-friendly judges are deeply worrying, those judges are still beholden to the laws and precedents already on the books. They cannot simply ignore the statutes that Congress has adopted. Earthjustice will continue to hold the government and corporations accountable for following those laws.
Earthjustice attorney Deborah Goldberg at work in an Albany courtroom.
Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice
And finally, Earthjustice will continue to fight in the courts because it's what we do. It's who we are. And it's what is right.
This is a profoundly difficult time for those of us fighting for justice, but we cannot give into despair or throw our hands up at the obstacles ahead of us. We must continue protecting not only the health of our planet and its people, but the health of our democracy and our justice system. Earthjustice will remain on the front lines of these fights — in the courtroom, in communities, and in the halls of Congress. We hope you will continue to stand alongside us.
Tags: Access to Justice, Trump Administration, U.S. Supreme Court
As Scientists Sound Climate Change Alarm, States Lead on SolutionsNext Blog Post
Previous Blog PostFDA Rules Food Manufacturers Can't Flavor Products With Cancer-Causing Chemicals
A leading environmental attorney and legal scholar, Patrice began his career as an attorney in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of General Counsel, and later served as a counsel to the agency's Environmental Appeals Board. As a Howard University School of Law professor, Patrice taught, wrote, and spoke on various subjects related to environmental law and environmental justice.
Part of the Policy & Legislation team in Washington, D.C., Brielle covers access to courts, judicial nominations and regulatory (APA) issues.
 Request a password?
Earthjustice holds those who break our nation's laws accountable for their actions. Join us to receive important action alerts and learn why the earth needs a good lawyer.
Australia Is on Fire and Its Government Is Blowing Smoke
9 Justices, 30 Minutes: Our Lawyer's Big Moment at the Supreme Court
The Surprising Climate Power Behind Whale Poop
Tribes Halt Major Copper Mine on Ancestral Lands in Arizona
Big Victory for Mega-Trees and for the Climate
"Household air pollution alone kills more people every year than malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS combined."
– Jonathan MingleAuthor of Fire & Ice: Soot, Solidarity and Survival on the Roof of the World.
The Stories to Read On U.S. Supreme Court
The Clean Water Case of the Century
The Clean Water Case of the Century Heads to the Supreme Court
Protect the people's environmental law