Law at the End of the World

Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark
  • 4.5 (2)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES

In this podcast, coming to you from the end of the world, Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark share developments and insights about how law is being used to support outcomes for the environment and those who depend on it - i.e. everyone.

  1. 11/20/2025

    Making a Difference through More-than-Human Rights - Episode 14 (with César Rodríguez-Garavito)

    In this conversation, César Rodríguez-Garavito (NYU Law) reflects on his fascinating academic career, explaining his drive to produce 'action research' that enables a positive impact for communities and the environment. He reflects on the balance between academic commitments and advocacy work (especially for Indigenous communities), the critical importance of distributed teams of collaborators, and his innovative approach to using art and multimedia to attract attention to an important cause. The discussion also covers the origins and evolution of the More-than-Human Life programme he leads at NYU, his hacks for personal career management, and advice for early career researchers seeking to make meaningful contributions beyond academia. Cristy and Liz round off with their environmental law updates, including international and transnational developments around climate change, river rights and the rights of nature, changes to fast track and climate legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand and environmental legislation in Australia, and the latest environmental case law developments from around the globe. César Rodríguez-Garavito Moth - More Than Human Life Amphibious research The Earth Rights Research & Action (TERRA NYU Law) - Center for Human Rights and Global Justice The Thesis Whisperer Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution Preservación ecosistémica: Por primera vez MOP declara reservas de aguas en cuencas de ríos Futaleufú y Puelo Lady Tureiti Moxon’s human rights complaint accepted by the United Nations New Zealand awarded dubious 'Fossil of the Day' at COP30 climate talks Key-concerns-with-the-Fast-track-Approvals-Amendment-Bill.pdf  EXPLAINER: Changes announced to the Climate Change Response Act 2002  Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    2h 10m

  2. 10/24/2025

    Research Skills Series: Getting and managing grants - Episode 13 (with Elizabeth Macpherson)

    In this episode of Law at the End of the World, we kick off our new ‘Research Skills Series’. In this first installment, Liz shares her extensive experience of obtaining and administering research funding in a practical, skills-focused discussion. She covers her grant history (successes and failures), key lessons about writing successful applications, common misconceptions, and the realities of managing and delivering grant-funded projects. Liz emphasises the importance of building relationships, writing for interdisciplinary audiences, and the significant administrative work involved in running grants. Cristy and Liz also discuss major environmental law developments including New Zealand's controversial marine and coastal legislation, Australia's upcoming EPBC amendments, climate litigation from Bonaire, and new research challenging the effectiveness of carbon offsets. Marine law change angers Māori activist: 'We don't have any rights' New marine protections in the Hauraki Gulf Environmental Law Initiative v EPA Government almost halves methane reduction target, farmers celebrate Major changes to climate-related disclosures announced Our Marine Environment 2025 Big shakeup for NZ's research funding A/80/117: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation  Webinar - Capacity Building on developing Amicus Curiae for the African Court's Advisory Opinion... Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    1h 26m

  3. 10/06/2025

    Challenging the foundations of environmental law - Episode 12 (with Emily Jones)

    In this episode we are joined by critical environmental law scholar Emily Jones to explore the intersections of environmental law, feminism, and academia. Emily discusses her personal journey into academia, the role of feminist theory in environmental law, and the implications of post-human feminism. She makes the case for including more-than-human-rights in the concept of future generations, and discusses the eay in which feminist legal theory can help everyone. We also discuss the importance of collaboration in academia, the intersection of doctrinal and critical legal approaches, and the challenges faced by scholars in navigating their careers. As usual, Cristy and I round off with recent developments in environmental law, including a new General Comment on economic, social, and cultural rights, and the increasing trend of climate litigation. We pay tribute to influential environmental leaders and discuss the implications of a wide range of environmental laws, from international treaties to managing local environmental challenges such as nitrate pollution. Who Benefits – a spotlight on lobbying, influence and power Emily Jones No future for future generations: who is international environmental law for? The Rights of Nature as a Legal Response to the Global Environmental Crisis? Feminist Theory and International Law: Posthuman Perspectives Posthuman Convergences: Transdisciplinary Methods and Practices International Law and Posthuman Theory Supreme Court - Ellis 74 countries have now ratified a landmark treaty to protect the high seas. Why hasn’t NZ? Protecting orange roughy  New findings on nitrates in rural drinking water Fighting nitrate pollution in Canterbury: Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    1h 42m

  4. 09/23/2025

    Ecological jurisprudence - Episode 11 (with Alessandro Pelizzon)

    Our guest for this episode is Alessandro Pelizzon, legal academic and author of Ecological Jurisprudence: The Law of Nature and the Nature of Law. We discuss the evolution of ecological jurisprudence, the importance of humility, the intersection of theory and practice, and the impact of utopian imaginings on legal paradigms. Liz and Cristy also highlight the critical role of language in legal scholarship - particularly in comparative contexts - reflecting on the significance of empirical methods in legal research and the need to understand the place-based and historical context of legal language. As usual, the episode finishes with our updates of recent developments environmental law, including some recent water law jurisprudence in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia's climate targets, and legislative reforms for access to nature in the UK. Ecological Jurisprudence: The Law of Nature and the Nature of Law | SpringerLink  ELI v ECAN and MHV High Court finds errors in nitrogen discharge consent — but law changes protect polluters Taking action on nitrate | Environment Canterbury ECan declares ‘nitrate emergency’ amid drinking water concerns For Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, we look at the journey of te reo Māori in our courts Albanese unveils ‘responsible’ new climate target to slash emissions over next decade | Australian politics | The Guardian Australia’s biggest gas project greenlit to 2070 with ‘partial’ protection for Indigenous rock art | Environment National Climate Risk Assessment Climate litigation against Holcim: decision draws closer  Outdoors For All Report  Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    1h 52m

  5. 09/08/2025

    Rights of the child, future generations, and care- Episode 10 (with Aoife Nolan)

    In this episode, Cristy Clark and Elizabeth Macpherson explore the intersections of climate change with the rights of children, future generations, and to care, as well as the question of how to have an impact as an academic. Our guest Aoife Nolan shares her journey into legal academia and beyond, discussing her commitment to children's rights and socio-economic justice. She explores the interconnections between austerity politics and rights, and her approach to balancing academic work with policy engagement. Aoife offers valuable advice for early career researchers on building networks and navigating their careers while maintaining balance and self-compassion, and also emphasises the need for later career academics to provide opportunities. Liz and Cristy finish up by discussing new developments in environmental law, including recent case law related to climate change, Indigenous rights, and environmental law. The conversation also explores the recent Inter-American Court advisory opinion on the right to care, and consumer law's role in combating greenwashing. Takutai Moana Victory for Ruapuke Riverbeds' in Māori customary marine title Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos Posthuman Convergences Climate Kids A Critical Feminist Evaluation of Climate Adaptation Law The Racial Discrimination Act at 50 Cooper v Minister for Environment and Water [2025] FCA 1009 Burrup Peninsula ruling Court upholds DUH's lawsuit re Apple watches Swiss Mitigation case A Human Rights approach to the energy Just Transition Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    1h 39m

  6. 08/23/2025

    River personhood - Episode 9 (with Erin O'Donnell)

    In this episode of 'Law at the End of the World', hosts Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark interview Dr Erin O'Donnell, water law expert and author of 'Legal Rights for Rivers', about her journey from desert ecology to pioneering research on river personhood and Indigenous water justice. Erin discusses her groundbreaking work on legal rights for rivers, her role on the Birrarung Council, the voice of Melbourne's Yarra River, and her current research exploring how treaty processes could address 'aqua nullius' and increase traditional owner power in water governance. The conversation covers research methodologies that prioritise Indigenous partnership and reciprocity, the temporality of relational governance, and practical approaches to recognising rivers as living entities. The episode concludes with updates on significant environmental law developments including the ICJ climate advisory opinion and recent legislative changes across jurisdictions. Dr Erin O'Donnell  The bill that will torch Māori-Crown relations Response to the Government’s limitations on judicial review under the Fisheries Act Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill 105-3 (2024)) Millewa-Mallee native title win gives traditional owners exclusive rights Cowichan Tribes v. Canada International Law and Posthuman Theory The Māori values that make good sense in science Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change Inter-American Court of Human Rights Advisory Opinion River Test Motion Unyoke the Sciences From the Hum Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    2h 11m

  7. 07/04/2025

    Legal geographies of water - Episode 8 (with Cristy Clark)

    In this episode of 'Law at the End of the World', hosts Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark discuss the intersection of environmental law and human rights, and launch Cristy's new book, Legal Geographies of Water: The Spaces, Places and Narratives of Human-Water Relations. Cristy and Liz explore the lessons from the wideranging water governance case studies in Cristy's groundbreaking book, including England and Wales, Flint and Detroit, Chile, South Africa, Manila and the Whanganui River in Aotearoa New Zealand across water commodification, financialisation and relationality. Their conversation emphasises the importance of community-led, grassroots water governance and Cristy makes the case for a fundamental reconceptualisation of human-water relationships to achieve more equitable water governance. The episode concludes with updates on latest developments in environmental law. Show notes Cristy CLARK Legal Geographies of Water Total chaos’ on Eurostar Greenwashing renewable gas Fracking legal challenge Big Oil Wrongful Death Shell oil pollution Conservation without consent Defossilizing our economies Climate conscious lawyer Would you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    1h 21m

  8. 06/19/2025

    Green transitional justice, reparations, and ecocide - Episode 7 (with Rachel Killean)

    In this episode of Law at the End of the World, hosts Cristy & Liz discuss updates in environmental law, focusing on the concept of ecocide and its implications for justice.  Dr Rachel Killean joins to discuss how her experiences in Cambodia shaped her focus on transitional and environmental justice. She introduces her upcoming book, Green Transitional Justice   and reflects on the value of reparative approaches and curiosity in research.  Show notes London Climate Action Week Vegan Gluten-Free Banana Bread Just CauseGovernment undermines regional powers to protect coastal biodiversityWetland restoration is seen as sunk costBiodiversity Credits, Stolen Land, and the Risk of Recolonising AotearoaEpisode 239: Legacies of Colonialism, Dr. Olivia MasonWorld’s first Indigenous-led ocean reserveMelanesian Ocean ReserveWoodside's gas extension: another legal challenge Revealed: the astonishing emissions that will result from the North West Shelf project Pabai Pabai & Anor v Commwealth of AustraliaBilly & others v. AustraliaWould you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note here Visit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our producer, Claire Burgess. You can also find us on the following platforms: LinkedIn - Liz & Cristy Bluesky - Liz & Cristy Our websites - Liz & Cristy

    1h 36m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In this podcast, coming to you from the end of the world, Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark share developments and insights about how law is being used to support outcomes for the environment and those who depend on it - i.e. everyone.

Information

  • Creator
    Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Law at the End of the World
  • Show Website
    Law at the End of the World