The Most Dangerous Branch: How the Supreme Court Has Reshaped Environmental Law

For decades, landmark environmental laws have helped protect our air, water, wildlife, and communities. But a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions has steadily narrowed those protections, limited citizens’ ability to enforce them, and restricted the authority of federal agencies.

Oliver Houck, Professor Emeritus at Tulane Law School and author of The Most Dangerous Branch: The Supreme Court’s Dark Journey Through Environmental Law, will trace the Court’s transformation from an early supporter of environmental protections into a powerful obstacle to them. Professor Houck will discuss what this history means for environmental law today, the future of our democracy, and the role citizens can play in defending both.