A Healthy Union: How States and Regions Can Lead on Environmental Health and Climate Change
Overview
January 29, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CT
The federal government has made numerous advances and retreats in terms of environmental protection over the past twenty-five years. In the context of federal rollbacks in environmental regulations and safeguards against pollution, toxic chemicals, and climate change, state laws and policies are among the strongest tools available to create safer environments and protect human health. States across the political landscape are taking up the charge. In many cases, states have enacted state-based laws, and in other cases, they have entered into agreements to act in coordination with other states.
Join us to hear from Susan Kaplan, author of the new book, A Healthy Union: How States Can Lead on Environmental Health, which highlights groundbreaking state environmental health laws and policies, exploring what has worked, what needs improvement, the role of communities, and how other states and regions can spread these innovations.
By attending this webinar, you will:
- Hear how innovative law and policy solutions can improve the nation’s wellbeing, one state at a time.
- Identify examples of how states like Tennessee, California, and Colorado are using law and policy to improve environmental health and increase community engagement.
- Learn about regional agreements, and how the law can strengthen efforts to utilize a collaborative approach to advance climate and environmental health initiatives.
- Hear how community advocates and public health practitioners can advance new legal protections, creating more just and resilient environments for the next generation.
Speakers:
- Susan Kaplan, J.D., Research Assistant Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago
- Jill Krueger, J.D., Director, Climate and Health, Network for Public Health Law
- Betsy Lawton, J.D., Deputy Director, Climate and Health, Network for Public Health Law