Is Environmental Law Hopeful?
In this lecture, Professor Elen Stokes explore the significance of hope within environmental law. This may seem counterintuitive. After all, environmental law is not generally known for its good-news stories. The scale and urgency of the challenges at stake—among them climate change, biodiversity loss, and persistent, bioaccumulative pollutants—often make it feel more appropriate to speak of environmental law in terms of frustration, disappointment or even despair. Professor Stokes's aim is to examine the various ways in which the relationship between environmental law and hope can be framed. This Public Lecture will focus in particular on the forms that hope takes within environmental law, as well as on the role of hope—and hopefulness—in environmental law teaching and research.
Event Details
- Date:
- 28 July 2026 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Venue:
- 555 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, VIC 3000
- Campus:
- Monash University Law Chambers
- Open to:
- all audiences
Description
In this lecture, Professor Elen Stokes explore the significance of hope within environmental law. This may seem counterintuitive. After all, environmental law is not generally known for its good-news stories. The scale and urgency of the challenges at stake—among them climate change, biodiversity loss, and persistent, bioaccumulative pollutants—often make it feel more appropriate to speak of environmental law in terms of frustration, disappointment or even despair. Professor Stokes's aim is to examine the various ways in which the relationship between environmental law and hope can be framed. This Public Lecture will focus in particular on the forms that hope takes within environmental law, as well as on the role of hope—and hopefulness—in environmental law teaching and research.