معرفی
Peter Lehner is a Visiting Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School (Yale University) during the spring term. He directs Earthjustice’s Sustainable Food & Farming Program, focusing on environmentally sound agricultural practices and reducing health/environmental impacts of food production. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) from 2007–2015, leading initiatives like clean food programs addressing food waste and antibiotic-free meat. From 1999–2006, he was Chief of the Environmental Protection Bureau of New York State’s Attorney General’s office, prosecuting polluters and developing climate-focused litigation strategies. He also directed NRDC’s clean water program and founded New York City’s environmental prosecution unit.
Education:
- J.D., Columbia Law School, 1984
- A.B. in Philosophy and Mathematics, Harvard University, 1980
Research interests span food systems, environmental law, and climate policy. His work integrates legal strategies to address systemic environmental challenges, such as agricultural pollution and climate change. He teaches seminars on food systems and U.S. environmental law at Columbia Law School. Beyond academia, he serves on the boards of two large Costa Rican farms and has authored two books (one upcoming) and numerous articles. He has received multiple awards from the EPA and environmental organizations for his contributions.
Labs/Teams: Collaborates with Earthjustice and NRDC, and advises on sustainable agriculture initiatives. His legal and advocacy work bridges public interest law and environmental justice.
