Michael P. Carvalho is a distinguished environmental attorney and the founder of Carvalho & Associates, P.C., a boutique law firm leading environmental legal advocacy for over 32 years. His career blends deep legal expertise with international engagement to tackle critical global environmental challenges. An Eagle Scout and lifelong SCUBA diver since age eight, Michael’s profound connection to nature fuels his enduring commitment to environmental protection and stewardship.

Michael’s career is marked by significant contributions to global environmental policy. In 2019, he served on the North American delegation to the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) in Nairobi, Kenya. 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.