Law students to lead ‘day of action’ on air pollution

York Law School is leading 30 university law clinics around the world to take part in an inaugural global ‘day of action’ on air pollution on November 18.

Organisers are asking law students who run clinics that provide free legal advice to the public to host events that focus on tackling air pollution.

Clinics are also being encouraged to organise talks with other university departments about issues surrounding air pollution as well as hosting sessions in local communities to explain people’s legal rights to clean air.

Events planned include a conference at the University of York on November 18 bringing together environmental lawyers, local government officials, scientists, academics and students to discuss the issue toxic air.

York Law School in collaboration with King’s College London, came up with the idea following an International Clinical Legal Education conference earlier this year.

University law clinics already signed up include those from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, the University of South Australia, and The Nigerian Law School.

Organisers hope the event will happen every year.

Stephen Levett, director of Professional Practice at York Law School, said: ‘We felt quite strongly that the symbolism of law clinics coming together on a single issue on a single day was what was most important.

‘We chose the issue of air pollution as it’s both a local and global problem and a subject that unites so many countries around the world.’

Organisers are also asking law clinics to sign a pledge recognising the need to make climate justice an explicit part of their overall social justice mission.

To sign the pledge visit this Facebook page.

Photo Credit – University of York