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The Latest by Trip Van Noppen

Former President

Trip Van Noppen served as Earthjustice’s president from 2008 until he retired in 2018. A North Carolina native, Trip said of his experience: “Serving as the steward of Earthjustice for the last decade has been the greatest honor of my life.”

June 2, 2014

Our Best Chance at Halting Climate Change

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office

Today’s proposal for cleaning up power plants

Supreme Court columns reach up toward a blue sky.
May 16, 2014

Courts Demand Clean Air for Americans

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office

Over the last few weeks, the nation’s federal courts—including the Supreme Court—have blessed Americans with four major clean air victories.

Rachel Carson, 1907-1964.
April 18, 2014

Eagles Fly But Bees Are Falling on Carson Anniversary

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office

A new pesticide dangers lurk, 50 years after Rachel Carson’s death.

President Clinton signs the Executive Order in the Oval Office (February 11, 1994).
February 25, 2014

Honoring a Milestone: The Birth of Environmental Justice

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office

Years of activism resulted in historic Clinton executive directive.

Solar panel installation.
February 11, 2014

Revolt Against Clean Energy Sweeps Nation

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office

Fossil fuel industry seeks to protect bottom line by quashing solar growth.

President Obama delivers the 2014 State of the Union Address.
January 28, 2014

"State of the Climate" is Obama's Challenge

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office

President can’t rely on fossil fuels to achieve climate change goals.

President Obama in the Oval Office
January 16, 2014

The Problem with An All of the Above Energy Policy

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office & Policy and Legislation Team

A letter to President Obama

January 10, 2014

In Memory of Fred Meyer

By Trip Van Noppen

The Board of Trustees and staff of Earthjustice express our profound sorrow and deepest sympathies to the family for the loss of our great friend and longtime trustee, Fred Meyer. Fred was a rock and source of great wisdom, fidelity, clarity and constancy of vision, accountability, perception, humor, compassion and worldly acumen and knowledge.

The North Portico of the White House is seen through the fog, April 1, 2013.
December 23, 2013

Effective Litigation: The Antidote to Political Foot-Dragging

By Trip Van Noppen  /  Headquarters Office

The White House “systematically” delayed finalizing a host of environmental and public health safeguards for political reasons before the 2012 election, reported The Washington Post last February. With many of these rules still awaiting approvals more than a year after the election, the Post recently revisited its investigation into the politics of continued White House …

President Bill Clinton with Nelson Mandela at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA, July 4 1993.
December 5, 2013

Remembering Nelson Mandela

By Trip Van Noppen

Around the world, people are pausing to remember and honor Nelson Mandela, who passed away today. My memory is traveling in South Africa during apartheid; hiding in the back of cars to go into “coloured only” and “black only” areas; meeting with lawyers in the anti-apartheid struggle who had been banned from law practice and …