Welcome to the EPL summer school, the Eco-Hackathon, and to the hard but rewarding work that lies ahead of you – not only for these days but for the months and years ahead. And for some of you, for the rest of your professional and personal lives.
I do not have to tell you that there is evil in this world. If I said that to my students in America, they might think that I am speaking with metaphor or being overly dramatic.
But you know this for yourselves, because of the evil that is being thrust upon you by an evil man and his compatriots.
This includes not only the evils of war and partial occupation by a foreign country but also the harm to water and wetlands, forests, agricultural areas, and others.
These harms also take place without a war — from internal forces in any country.
Law and science are how we fight against them. I and other lawyers have spent years in the courts to stop illegal logging — and with success .
So have courage and optimism!
And don’t let negative voices get you down.
“Nothing is impossible.”
But there is also good in this world, a great amount of it, and if you look at one another, I think you will see that.
We all love Ukraine.
I love the times I have spent walking in the Carpathian Mountains, swimming in the river near Kyiv, visiting protected areas, talking with students, and singing with the members of EPL.
I have been inspired in your classrooms and welcomed in the villages. I hope to return soon to enjoy these things again!
For some of you, international environmental law can make a difference. To be honest, although I teach this area of law, there is only a certain amount that can be done by international law. This includes treaties to enhance public participation, access to information, and access to justice.
The greatest amount of work that will be done, however, is domestic law, and in that EPL will always be ready to help you achieve important results.
I have known the lawyers and scientists at EPL for many decades. In fact, for 28 years!
They live their lives to make Ukraine a better place, and to recover from the evil things in the world. I wish you a productive few days and a productive life and making Ukraine and the world a better place.
Slava Ukraini!
John E. Bonine
B.B. Kliks Professor of Law,
Chair, EPL, Founder, ELAW
