amber pork
Associate Professor of Law
PhD Department of Philosophy, University of Illinois
Juris Doctor, University of Illinois Law School
A legal philosopher with a primary interest in our collective environmental crisis, Polk’s work focuses on rights-based environmentalism as a legal, political and moral movement. Prior to joining FIU Law, he was a Teaching Fellow in the Environmental Law and Policy LLM Program at Stanford Law School.
Polk, a Pennsylvania native, was drawn to FIU legislation in part because of the challenges society faces today, including climate change, rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and competition between humans and wildlife for land and water. It was Miami’s location as ground zero for many environmental challenges. means.
“A lot of science goes into decision-making, but that’s not all,” says Polk, who speaks earnestly about environmental justice. “While it is often tempting to rely solely on scientific data and some form of cost-benefit analysis to make environmental policy decisions, there are other norms to consider, such as equity issues that neither can address. There are factors.”
Polk points to recent events to illustrate the problem.
“Take Hurricane Ian as an example,” Polk said, referring to the massive storm that hit southwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall in the United States on September 28. “The aftermath raises many compelling questions about environmental protection and environmental justice. Will people rebuild as they were? Can they? We should encourage them to do so.” How do you support those who have been forced from their homes as a result of Ian’s destruction? How do you plan for a future that drives people off the coastlines? It stimulates a lot of important policy questions, and Florida is a great incubator for that.”
Polk looks forward to working with his colleagues to ensure that FIU Law’s environmental program graduates are prepared to face the future.
“Law is what builds society and plays a fundamental role in determining what it becomes. The concept of civic education traces its roots to Aristotle, but is more important than ever. says Polk. “Massive climate change and justice issues will arise in Florida for the next 100 years. The generation of lawyers who go to law school today will guide these debates. Let them acquire the knowledge and skills they need to have.”
