Confronting Trump’s Policies: How Environmental Lawyers Are Leading the Fight for Our Planet

The day after Trump won the election, while many Democratic leaders stayed quiet, some environmental groups stepped up. On November 6, the Environmental Defense Fund, based in New York City, tweeted their commitment: “We will *never* stop fighting for a safer climate, cleaner air, safer drinking water, and a healthier future.”

Shortly after, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) from Washington, D.C., tweeted, “We sued Trump 163 times during his first term, and we’re ready to do it again.”

Earthjustice, located in San Francisco, joined the conversation with a clear message: “Despair is not an option.” They highlighted their success in the past, where they filed over 200 cases against harmful policies, winning around 85% of those decisions.

“Becoming an environmental advocate is driven by idealism. You definitely don’t get rich doing climate work.” – Andrew Wetzler, NRDC

Earthjustice encouraged Americans to support the Biden administration’s emissions regulations. They are also challenging efforts to allow more drilling on public lands. The organization plans to increase their work across states, including efforts to electrify school buses in New York and Washington. They are also working to decarbonize homes in California and Maryland and to halt gas plant plans across nine states and Puerto Rico.

Despite the perception of lawyers, many environmental attorneys are passionate advocates. A 2015 poll found that many people believe lawyers care more about making money than serving their clients. In a 2023 Gallup poll, only 16% of respondents rated lawyers’ ethics as high.

Even so, Andrew Wetzler of the NRDC believes environmental lawyers stand out. “In court, everyone’s voice can be heard, even against a powerful government. But it’s the idealism that drives us,” he notes. “You certainly don’t get rich doing this work.”

Canada also has strong environmental lawyers. Ecojustice is the largest environmental law charity in Canada, with 35 lawyers. They fight for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and challenge significant changes to carbon targets. Their efforts led to a groundbreaking ruling that acknowledged how inaction on climate could violate Canadian rights.

Tracy London, Ecojustice’s executive director, emphasizes that their success is not just about winning cases. “We focus on being thought leaders,” she says. “We want to keep environmental law a powerful tool for holding governments accountable.”

Rick Spence is a business writer based in Toronto with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.