The Case for a Better Earth: Ecojustice

In this special anniversary episode of The Case for a Better Earth, Ecojustice Executive Director Devon Page and Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen look back on what fifteen months of the Trump presidency have meant for the environment, democracy, and beyond.

In this episode, we speak with Gleb Raygorodetsky, the author of The Archipelago of Hope, about his experiences spending time with six Indigenous communities on the front lines of climate change. In a phone interview from his home base in Edmonton, Alta., Gleb explains how he developed the deep relationships with communities in Finland, Russia, Ecuador, Myanmar and British Columbia that ultimately led to his book. This episode features the song Well, by Yer House.

Ecojustice lawyer Margot Venton explains why we're joining forces with other conservation groups to call for emergency protections for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. Christianne Wilhelmson, executive director of Georgia Strait Alliance, describes the diverse ecosystem that the orcas call home, and how her organization works to protect it.

Ecojustice executive director Devon Page dives into our core values as Canada's largest environmental law charity, and what our work means in a world where fighting for the environment is still a counterculture.

In this episode, we’ll discuss the legal revolution unfolding in courtrooms, legislatures, and communities worldwide – and how it could shape the future of our planet. Imagine a world where trees, rivers, and birds are given the same enforceable rights as humans. No, this idea isn’t a far-fetched utopia; it’s the premise of a new book by award-winning author Dr. David R Boyd called The Rights of Nature: a legal revolution that could save the world.

The United States is collecting on a $15-billion judgement from Volkswagen’s emissions scandal and using that money to fund green initiatives. Ecojustice lawyer Amir Attaran chats about why we’re taking the Canadian government to task on its failure to prosecute VW in what could be a legal slam-dunk. And, you’ll hear from Ecojustice lawyer Margot Venton about her near-decade fight to protect orca whales off the B.C. coast and to fend off a huge threat to their survival: the Trans Mountain expansion.

In this episode, lawyer Karen Campbell breaks down the federal government's review of key environmental laws — an initiative that’s being hailed as a "once in a generation" opportunity to improve the laws that protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the communities where we live. She also has some suggestions on how you can make your voice heard too. Next, we sit down with Ada Lockridge, one of our long-time clients. Earlier this month Ecojustice lawyers helped her file a lawsuit against the Ontario government for failing to address air pollution in her community of Aamjiwnaang First Nation in a timely fashion. Ada shares what it's like to live in a place that has been called Canada's "Chemical Valley" and what inspires her fight to defend her right to a healthy environment.

We sit down with lawyer Charles Hatt and scientist Elaine McDonald about how neonics are threatening pollinators and our case to protect them. Next, we chat with longtime Ecojustice staff member Carol McDonald and reflect back many years at Ecojustice. Look how far we've come!

Devon Page and Trip Van Noppen discuss the new political reality in the United States and how their organizations will respond.