The Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (cSEND) is proud to be a co-sponsor of the upcoming symposium entitled "Green Technology: Legal, Ethical and Moral Considerations" hosted by the Notre Dame Law School’s Journal of Law, Ethics, and Public Policy (JLEPP) on Thursday, March 21, 2013. 

JLEPP is unique among scholarly journals with a mission to explore the legal, ethical, and policy considerations of various topics within the Judeo-Christian intellectual and moral tradition. This year’s symposium explores these considerations for green technology. This symposium is supported by the JLEPP advisor, Professor Carter Snead, a distinguished member of the Notre Dame Law School faculty, specializing in the governance of science, medicine, and biotechnology in the name of ethical good. In addition, Professor Bruce Huber, one of Notre Dame Law School’s environmental law experts, will serve as the moderator for the panel discussion.

The following five outstanding speakers have been invited to present at the symposium, all of whom are being published in this year’s symposium issue:

Mayor Rocky Anderson, former mayor of Salt Lake City (2000-2008).  Mayor Anderson is nationally recognized for his advocacy for climate protection and was named as one of the top twenty activists in the world on climate change by Business Week. In addition, he served on the Newsweek Global Environmental Leadership Advisory Board. As keynote speaker, Mayor Anderson will speak about human rights and the moral obligation for action on climate change.

Dr. Bernard Goldstein, professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health. Dr. Goldstein is an expert on the public health implications of Marcellus Shale activities as well as the scientific framework for sustainability. His panel discussion will focus around assessing the risks and benefits of unconventional shale gas extraction.

Professor Andrew (Sandy) Askland, professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, a Senior Sustainability Scientist at the Global Institute of Sustainability, and the Director of the Center for the Study of Law, Science, and Innovation. Professor Askland will be presenting his paper, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do: American Exceptionalism and the Transition to a Renewable Energy Future," discussing the transitioning from fossil fuel to alternative energy through a malleable market model.

Professor Ross Pifer, Clinical Professor and the Director of the Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center at Penn State Dickinson School of Law. Profesor Pifer served as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of General Counsel. His article for the symposium issue is entitled "A Greener Shade of Blue?: Technology and the Shale Revolution," discussing the Marcellus Shale formation and the affects on humans and the environment.

Professor John Copeland Nagle, one of Notre Dame Law School’s most distinguished faculty members in Environmental Law. Professor Nagle’s areas of expertise include environmental pollution, cultural pollution, the role of religion in environmental law, biodiversity and the law, and climate change. At the symposium, his discussion will focus around the law and the balancing of green benefits and green harms.

The symposium is open to all Notre Dame faculty, students, and staff, and the general public free of charge.