The Environmental Law Institute at 40

We Must Move to a Whole New Level of Vision and Effectiveness

Since our founding in 1969, the Environmental Law Institute and our many partners have improved the way the world protects and sustains our waters, lands, and the life and livelihoods dependent on them.

Today, the challenges are greater than ever. Over the past 40 years, world population has almost doubled to 6.7 billion. Resource consumption has skyrocketed both in the industrialized world and in the developing world. We now recognize that human activity is causing climate change that impacts natural systems and people worldwide.

We anticipate serious problems as a result of the world’s growth trajectory. Unsustainable resource consumption, population growth, and climate change are overtaking progress in reducing degradation of our air, land, and water, and in protecting the life and livelihoods dependent on them.

To meet these challenges, environmental organizations such as ELI must look beyond cleaning up the environment. We must aim to assure sustainable management and more equitable distribution of the earth’s resources.

An orderly transition to a sustainable future that meets human needs demands forward-looking legal concepts and frameworks, and thoughtful implementation. That kind of thinking about new law and policy tools, combined with building the capacity to use them, are ELI’s signature strengths.

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are launching a $5 million New Vision and Future Challenges Fund to enable ELI to find solutions that anticipate the major looming environmental challenges. Click here to find out how you can help.