Professor Mary Wood Leaves An Impact On Bend

The Environmental Center was one of several community partners who helped sponsor U of O law professor Mary Christina Wood’s visit to Bend last month.

Professor Wood spoke to several audiences, including to a sold-out event at COCC and to students at Bend High School, about her work using the Public Trust Doctrine to get governments to take action to reduce carbon emissions. We were excited to see great conversations taking place around her work and how it applies to Bend.

Some of these discussions revolved around Kelsey Juliana, an 18-year-old from Eugene. Kelsey is co-plaintiff in a recent lawsuit spearheaded by  Our Children’s Trust, which argues that Oregon is not doing enough to slow down global warming and protect the future.

We agree with Professor Wood that addressing the climate crisis will require everyone to do their part, and we are inspired by local youth who are starting to organize here in Bend. Learn more about Kelsey’s case and Professor Wood’s work through her interview with Bill Moyers earlier this year. And stay tuned for updates about how local youth are making a difference here in Bend.