About This Journal
The Environmental and Earth Law Journal is a student-edited publication focusing on two unique areas of environmental law, which have broad implications on the whole of our legal system.Earth Jurisprudence is an emerging legal theory that calls on us to abandon our current anthropocentric (human-centered) view of the environment in favor of an ecocentric or Earth-centered system of law and governance. It recognizes the interconnectedness of the earth as a self-organizing and regulating entity, and humankind’s role a vital piece of that larger whole. It provides a forum for discussions of the impacts our current legal and policy choices will have on future generation of all species. Earth Jurisprudence is a forward looking, inclusive and systems based philosophy that supports hearty environmental regulation and embraces a connection with environmental ethics and social justice.
Environmental Justice is the meaningful involvement and fair treatment of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income in regards to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Those who study and advocate for environmental justice recognize the environmental burdens of industrialized society are disproportionally borne by low-income and of-color communities. This can be alternatively termed as environmental injustice or environmental racism. Important to environmental justice are both the legal and non-legal tools that often must be addressed to bring power, independent, and sustainable changes within affected communities.
Environmental and Earth Law Journal was borne out of a movement within Barry University towards developing programs for an equitable and sustainable future, and is just one of the many ways in which Barry University leads the way in green programs. In 2010, the journal joined the Law Review in representing Barry University School of Law’s contribution to legal scholarship. As a fully-online publication, it allows for faster editing and production schedules than traditional print publications do, and aims to become the premier environmental journal for timely and original legal scholarship. Currently, the Environmental and Earth Law Journal publishes one edition annually, with plans of expansion in the future.
Editors are selected through a competitive admissions process from each class at Barry University. Associate editors receive training in all aspects of the EELJ Journal’s publication and are guided through the process of writing a publishable Note or Comment. The Journal’s Note & Comment Editor, along with the Editorial Board, works with students to help develop their student Notes for opportunities to publish. Note and Comment guidelines are provided to assist associate editors in the process. In addition, associate editors receive training in the substantive areas of earth jurisprudence and environmental law through an orientation process.