Environmental Law Archives - Carvalholawfirm.com

2019 UNEA-4 Assembly – Delegate Michael Carvalho

Carvalho-admin — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 01:34:28 +0000

Michael P. Carvalho: Advocate for Global Environmental Stewardship

Michael P. Carvalho is a distinguished environmental attorney and the founder of Carvalho & Associates, P.C., a boutique law firm that has been at the forefront of environmental legal advocacy for 20 years. With over 30 years of legal experience, Michael is renowned for his profound commitment to addressing critical global environmental challenges, blending legal expertise with international engagement. An Eagle Scout and passionate SCUBA diver since the age of eight, his lifelong connection to the natural world fuels his advocacy for environmental protection and stewardship.

Michael’s career is marked by significant contributions to global environmental policy. In 2019, he was honored with a nomination as a delegate to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) in Nairobi, Kenya, where he represented North America. UNEA, the highest decision-making body on environmental matters, provided Michael a platform to engage with ministers and high-level officials to tackle pressing global issues such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. His role included key participation in the Open-Ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) and the UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment.

As an environmental lawyer and advocate, Michael’s work extends beyond legal practice. He is deeply involved in citizen science initiatives, such as the POLEs Expedition. This cutting-edge expedition focuses on assessing how climate change impacts polar ecosystems, particularly through the study of foundational marine species like plankton, which are essential to the food web supporting krill, whales, and seabirds. The data collected from the expedition will inform future climate models and international environmental protections, such as the Madrid Protocol under the Treaty of Antarctica. Michael is tasked with compiling the expedition’s findings into a report for a future UNEA Assembly, contributing to the global dialogue on environmental justice and marine conservation.

Expedition Deliverables:

Banked specimens and GIS data sets for ongoing scientific research.
Publications aimed at raising awareness of the importance of polar ecosystems.
A policy assessment paper by Michael on the Science-Policy Nexus of the Treaty of Antarctica (Madrid Protocol).

Michael’s unique combination of hands-on scientific exploration, policy expertise, and legal acumen makes him a leading voice in environmental stewardship, continuing to drive impactful change both in the courtroom and across the world’s most fragile ecosystems.

Michael Carvalho, representing the United States at the UNEA-4 Delegation, an opportunity that shaped his career and strengthened his commitment to global environmental advocacy.

Nairobi, Kenya – March 2019

March 2019 Photos

Nairobi Africa

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2022 Expedition to the Arctic Circle and Spitsbergen

Carvalho-admin — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:16:57 +0000

Expedition to The Arctic Circle and Spitsbergen

Michael Carvalho: A Journey from the Courtroom to the Ends of the Earth

Attorney Michael P. Carvalho’s distinguished career spans more than two decades of environmental law and advocacy, but his passion for the environment doesn’t stop at the courtroom. As a polar explorer, he has ventured to some of the most remote and vulnerable ecosystems on the planet, combining his legal expertise with on-the-ground citizen science to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

In August 2022, he participated in an extraordinary polar expedition to the Arctic Circle around Spitsbergen and Kvitøya, aboard the m/v Plancius, a 287-foot polar-class vessel.

Organized by Blue Green Expeditions, this journey offered the opportunity to dive and snorkel in icy waters, spot endangered polar bears, and observe Minke and Beluga whales in their natural habitats. Carvalho and fellow explorers marveled at the walrus colonies and explored pristine polar landscapes, all while conducting underwater research to understand the rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem.

For divers and non-divers alike, this expedition provided unparalleled access to the Arctic’s breathtaking beauty. Hiking, birding, and historical explorations were complemented by educational seminars on polar ecology and underwater photography.

A Legacy of Adventure and Advocacy

Michael Carvalho’s work as both an environmental attorney and polar explorer sets him apart as a true environmental steward. His adventures are not just personal explorations but part of a greater mission to protect the planet’s most vulnerable regions through hands-on research and legal advocacy. From the frigid waters of the Arctic to the icy landscapes of Antarctica, Carvalho’s expeditions contribute to a global understanding of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the urgent need for stronger environmental protections.

The 2024 Expedition, a collaborative effort with scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and the University of Hawaii, will involve the collection of environmental DNA (eDNA), physical oceanography data, and underwater photogrammetry to document the effects of climate change. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of the Madrid Protocol under the Antarctic Treaty in protecting these fragile environments. The findings will be compiled into a paper that Carvalho will submit to the United Nations.

August 2022 Photos – Arctic Circle & Spitsbergen

Lessons from the top of the World

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2018 Citizen-Science Expedition Antarctica

Carvalho-admin — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 18:05:49 +0000

Lessons from the Bottom of the World

Michael P. Carvalho, founder of Carvalho & Associates, P.C., is a distinguished environmental attorney with over 30 years of experience in environmental law. His legal career has been marked by significant victories in both state and federal courts, where he has successfully represented clients in environmental litigation, often achieving record verdicts and decisions. His expertise extends beyond litigation to include the redevelopment of environmentally impaired properties, construction law related to stormwater management, and environmental regulation and policy development.

Michael’s passion for environmental advocacy is deeply personal, driven by his lifelong love of the ocean. Having grown up on the North Shore of Massachusetts, he became a Certified Diver in 1978. His diving experiences have since taken him to six of the seven continents. A certified Divemaster and Rescue Diver, Michael’s exploration of the world’s oceans has not only shaped his personal life but also his professional work.

In 2018, Michael was invited by Diving Unlimited International to join a select team of highly experienced divers for a scuba diving expedition to Antarctica. The team included glaciologists, biologists, climatologists, and other science and policy experts studying the dramatic effects of climate change in one of the harshest environments on Earth. This journey to Antarctica marked a major milestone in Michael’s life, as it was his first expedition to the frozen continent, where he witnessed firsthand the impacts of climate change on polar ecosystems.

Michael’s legal practice is informed by his commitment to environmental preservation. His work aligns with the NOAA Fisheries Climate Science Strategy, focusing on key objectives such as understanding mechanisms of change, providing early warnings, and projecting future conditions. His time in Antarctica reinforced the need for strong environmental protections and adaptive management strategies, which he integrates into his legal practice to help clients navigate the complexities of environmental challenges.

As a leader in environmental law, Michael combines his legal expertise with his real-world experiences from the field, whether advocating for policy changes, creating climate-informed legal strategies, or actively participating in scientific research.

Antarctic Expedition Overview

In early 2018, Michael embarked on his first expedition to Antarctica, joining a team of divers and scientists with Blue Green Expeditions. After arriving in Ushuaia, Argentina, and touring Tierra Del Fuego National Park, the team set sail aboard the m/v Plancius through the Drake Passage, following in the footsteps of early polar explorers.

During the expedition, Michael and the team were surrounded by the awe-inspiring beauty of Antarctica’s untouched wilderness. They encountered humpback and minke whales, albatrosses, and colonies of thousands of penguins nesting on remote islands. The team explored glaciers and icebergs via zodiac cruises, diving into waters that few have ever seen. Michael experienced the unique opportunity to dive alongside penguins and leopard seals, observing the diverse marine life of Antarctica’s frigid waters.

This expedition, which brought together scientists and policy experts, was pivotal in shaping Michael’s perspective on the urgent need to address climate change. It also reinforced his commitment to using his legal practice to advocate for stronger protections for vulnerable ecosystems, combining his passion for exploration with his dedication to environmental law.

“Optimism is true moral courage. Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.”

– Sir Ernest Shackleton

The Antarctic Treaty System: A Model of Peaceful Cooperation

Signed in 1961, the Antarctica Treaty System is the world’s premier example of peaceful and scientific international cooperation.

It designates Antarctica for peaceful and scientific purposes, recognizing no land claims on the continent.

The Treaty was the first non-nuclear accord, banning nuclear weapons testing and the disposal of radioactive waste in Antarctica.

February 2018 Photos – Antarctica

Lessons from the Bottom of the World

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