Pursuing a career in environmental law is perfect for individuals passionate about solving environmental challenges like climate change and pollution.
Environmental law plays an important role in protecting the natural environment, including its resources and habitats. It deals with issues and regulations concerning contamination, pollution, responses to disasters, fishing, and hunting.
These laws aim to protect the air, land, water masses, and soil of our planet, allowing governments to punish those who don’t take the precautions to prevent any form of environmental damage.
Aspiring environmental lawyers should know these seven things about environmental law:
1. Key areas covered by environmental law
The key areas covered by environmental law include air quality, water quality, waste management, chemical safety, resource sustainability, and cleaning up of contaminants.
Legislation on environmental laws is aimed at the effective protection of the planet. Legal organizations and charitable institutions ensure these laws are implemented.
Conservation and management are the two main areas of environmental law. This common law is implemented from the rules set by conventions, regulations, treaties, and statutes. Negligence to maintain these laws result in lawsuits, and the defendants are liable for the consequences of their negligence.
2. Science undergraduate degrees are not essential
There is a misconstrued idea that only people with science undergraduate degrees can pursue environmental law. However, many successful environmental lawyers often have humanities majors. Lawyers concentrate on the law, and in most situations, they have scientists to advise them on scientific issues.
3. Environmental lawyers are not always against businesses
Many environmental lawyers work in the private sector for companies in advisory roles. This allows them to have a positive impact on the environment without becoming an adversary to businesses.
Then again, other environmental lawyers work for public interest organizations. In this role, they may often file lawsuits against companies violating environmental regulations. These assignments can vary and can include litigation and the normal tasks of regulatory practice. Environmental law is a field with many interesting developments.
4. Protocol plays a vital role
This is often a frustrating area of environmental law because there is a huge amount of documentation required. Lawyers working in companies that follow environmental protection regulations need to ensure all the paperwork is filed correctly.
5. Environmental law differs
Environmental regulations are typically specific and very clear. That means this field of law differs from others because it is not open to interpretation. The laws are specific, and companies must follow the regulations.
6. Law school programs
There are many ways to get an environmental law degree. It depends on whether a young student is interested in enforcing or developing policies. Several law schools have environmental law programs, but others have environmental law classes. Some students opt to get a solid foundation by joining an environmental law school clinic. Here they get an excellent idea about environmental law and if they think it is suitable for them. These clinics also offer students the opportunity to meet mentors in the field.
7. What skills does an environmental lawyer need?
One of the most important skills required by an environmental lawyer is understanding the political climate changes in their country’s laws. Therefore, a diverse portfolio of legal skills is invaluable. Some of the areas to concentrate on include government relations and real estate law.
Market forces and the decisions made by business communities and the private sector also affect environmental law. An MBA is often considered an asset in the world of environmental law.
Conclusion
Environmental law affects us all, no matter how we view it. Preserving the planet and its economy is far more important, but so are individual health, geographical sustainability, and business activity. Environmental law covers far more than government legislation. It is also about the desire of businesses and other organizations to work with regulators toward improving ethical principles and creating a responsible and ethical system of better environmental management.
What does an environmental lawyer do?
Environmental law is a specialty in and of itself. Environmental lawyers represent clients’ legal issues with respect to water law, clean and renewable technology, climate rules and regulations, and land use.
Do environmental lawyers make good money?
The average annual salary for an environmental lawyer is $120,910. Location, experience, and education can factor into the salary.
Why is environmental law important?
Environmental laws protect land, air, water, and soil. Companies or individuals negligent in these areas can face heavy fines.
What are the most important environmental laws?
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980; The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and The Indian Forest Act, 1927.
