November Update: Defend | Empower | Strengthen 🔬

A Message From Our Executive Director

It’s easy to feel despair about the climate – the headlines, the misinformation, the limited political action. Sometimes it can feel like we’re doing nothing, or even going backwards, while the climate crisis is worsening. But you give me hope – you are part of the solution, and you have shown that through your support for climate scientists and science.

Will you donate today to continue that support?

Your gift today will:

• Defend climate scientists from aggressive legal action by fossil fuel-funded groups. In one recent victory, donor support stopped a methane researcher from being dragged through the courts by an oil and gas company hoping to silence her work. And you will help the growing number of scientists targeted with actual or threatened defamation lawsuits as they counter climate misinformation.
• Empower climate scientists to use their expertise and skills to make real change – whether by serving as expert witnesses in climate litigation cases, or getting involved in government rulemaking, or simply exercising their democratic rights for better political outcomes for the climate and science. In 2023, more than 2,000 individuals have been educated on these and other topics, and there’s only a growing appetite from scientists for more resources and events.
• Strengthen protections for scientists and science through advising government agencies on scientific integrity policies, testifying at state assemblies about the need for research protections, and engaging with media to ensure the public sees how critical research – into climate misinformation, environmental impacts, and potential solutions – is being insidiously undermined.

Without you, none of this would be possible. So today I am asking you, if you can, to make a gift to defend, empower, and strengthen the climate scientist community, and science itself.

With much gratitude in advance,
Lauren Kurtz
Executive Director

Climate Action Toolkit

As climate litigation continues to heat up, scientists are playing a critical role by providing expert testimony, participating in the government rulemaking process, and engaging in other forms of scientific consulting. To help them do so safely and effectively, we are excited to announce the creation of our new Climate Litigation Toolkit. This free toolkit includes information that can help researchers mitigate the potential legal risks associated with being an expert witness and other forms of scientific consulting work. We hope that it empowers users to engage in climate litigation at this critical moment in history.

Click here to view the Toolkit.

Upcoming Events

This year, CSLDF will present several sessions at the American Geological Union (AGU) Fall Meeting for in-person and virtual attendees:

• Getting Involved in the 2024 U.S. Election | December 11, 2023
  The 2024 U.S. election cycle is just around the corner. Join CSLDF attorneys to learn how scientists can apply their expertise towards the policy and lawmaking processes at a crucial time, including campaigning for science-forward candidates, engaging with Congress on important legislative matters, First Amendment rights as they pertain to scientists and researchers, and how scientists can be most effective in their advocacy efforts overall.
• Understanding the Legal Risks of Advocacy and Activism | December 15, 2023
  At CSLDF, our mission is to ensure that scientists can conduct, publish, and discuss their research as well as advocate for science without the threat of political harassment, censorship, or legal intimidation. We will discuss some of the basic legal risks of activism and advocacy, harassment, and defamation — and how to protect against them — as well as best practices in scientific and political communication. We will also overview ways to prepare and serve as an expert witness in climate legal defenses.
• Meet with Us!
  CSLDF attorneys will be available for free, confidential legal consultations to AGU attendees with questions or concerns related to their work. Use this link or email lawyer@csldf.org to make a free 30-minute appointment.

CSLDF is now on Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/csldf.bsky.social.

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