Few issues illustrate the symbiosis of environmental stewardship and public health as clearly as recycled rubber, commonly known as crumb rubber, used in playground and athletic surfaces. Since its introduction in the 1970s, crumb rubber has been scrutinized, debated, and, at times, misunderstood. Today, the weight of scientific evidence provides a far more settled and … Continue Reading
When we talk about “sea level rise,” most people immediately think of melting polar ice and warming oceans. But along much of the United States’ Atlantic coast, especially in and around the Chesapeake Bay, that narrative only tells part of the story. Emerging science shows that land subsidence, the sinking or lowering of the land … Continue Reading
The mainstream press was quick to report this week on a startling new study out of UCLA: inhalers used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) produce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 530,000 cars on the road each year. Published on October 6, 2025, the study quantified that inhalers approved for asthma and … Continue Reading
On July 18, 2025, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, signed into law the much anticipated Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, that is the GENIUS Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that provides a legal framework for U.S. dollar backed stablecoins. While the bill has been touted as … Continue Reading
A good primer on greenwashing, but more than a little scary when you consider this may portend plaintiffs’ lawyer television advertisements recruiting mass litigation greenwashing clients. … Continue Reading
As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable practices, the emergence of green bleaching adds a new layer of complexity to the conversation… Continue Reading
With the rising demand for ethical and sustainable diamonds, man made diamonds are replacing legacy mined from the earth carbon stones.… Continue Reading
Safeguarding human rights in business supply chains by businesses that believe profits should come not from creating the world’s problems, but from solving them… Continue Reading
On October 7, 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reopened the public comment periods, for 14 days from the day the notice is published in the Federal Register, for 11 of its rulemaking releases, some of them viewed as controversial including the rule discussed in this blog post, due to a technical glitch that … Continue Reading
Last Monday the NFL announced at the owners meeting that it had approved adjustments to the Rooney Rule, first adopted in 2003, “to enhance opportunities for people of color and women for nearly all league and team jobs.” As companies, most that are far afield from the NFL, look to have a positive impact on … Continue Reading
Slavery exists today. The British government recently reported there are more enslaved people today than there have been at any time in history! And if you doubt that modern slavery is here and now, 20 days ago, on March 1st, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized four shipments of palm oil at the port … Continue Reading
ESG law is emergent and fast evolving such that today, the best sources are blogs and Twitter, not bound statutes and printed law reviews. Last week U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler Tweeted about the future of ESG regulation. You do not need to be a futurist to know that SEC regulation of … Continue Reading
While there has been near universal condemnation of the war against Ukraine by Russia, and our empathy is unequivocally with the people of Ukraine, this invasion of a sovereign nation, something that echoes the darkest days in European history, today presents issues of ESG. This blog post is being written 9 days after Putin’s war … Continue Reading
The “S” in ESG is among the most impactful sustainability factors despite being among the least measured. There are a myriad of Social factors in sustainability, but what they have in common is they are about “social relationships.” A company’s relationship with its employees is key, but so is its relationship with the community and … Continue Reading
The use of ESG to evaluate companies is the cause celebre in early 2022 and while still in an early phase, primitively and ill defined, it is reaching nearly all corners of the economy at a fever pitch. The appeal of ESG is compelling. People want to save the planet while they make a profit. … Continue Reading
Clothing is worn by almost everyone, almost all of the time. Across the globe, the $1.3 Trillion clothing industry employs more than 300 million people. Over the last 15 years, clothing production worldwide more than doubled and during that period people bought 60% more garments than before but kept them, on average, only half as … Continue Reading
A business that generates renewable energy, say, with solar panels, but sells the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for that renewable energy may not then claim it “uses” renewable energy. The Federal Trade Commissions has prescribed that such would be deceptive. That guidance from the FTC is not new, but as both onsite and offsite renewable … Continue Reading
ESG will be the environmental issue of the year, if not also among the biggest business issues of the year. ESG is everywhere. And yes, this is with appreciation that environmental is only the E in ESG. This is more than a Magic 8 Ball prediction, although we do regularly consult one of the 1960s … Continue Reading