The course will begin with a look at the emerging evidence of climate disruption from man-made causes, also considering the anticipated problems stemming from rising surface temperatures, including physical and sociological impacts as well as national security issues. We will then examine current proposals for mitigating climate change, including the international, federal, state and local proposals to reduce green house gases, including carbon trading regimes. The proposals for climate change adaptation will be covered as well. Mitigation and adaptation strategies will be evaluated using various criteria, such as efficiency, effectiveness, ease of administration and distributional fairness. The course will also cover climate litigation, including emerging public nuisance claims and climate change issues arising under existing federal environmental statutes. Lastly, we will also consider current energy policy and how the legal regimes for addressing climate change are likely to impact the energy sector. The text used will be WOLD, HUNTER AND POWERS, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE LAW (2009), and evaluation will be by an examination at the end of the semester. No prerequisite law course is required.