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Environmental Law Virtual Guest Speakers
Sponsored by Mercer Law School
Spring 2026

Professor Wil Burns
American University

Regulating Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States  

Picture of John Dernbach
Professor Wil Burns: Dr. Wil Burns is the Co-Founding Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University, a research center that focuses on social science aspects of carbon dioxide removal, including law and governance, ethics and justice, and the role of public engagement and deliberation. Previously, he served as the Associate Director of the Environmental Policy & Culture program at Northwestern University and the Founding Director of the Energy Policy & Climate program at Johns Hopkins University. He also taught at the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and the University of California-Berkeley. Prior to entering academia, he served as Assistant Secretary of State for Policy for the state of Wisconsin and worked in the environmental non-profit sector for more than twenty years. 

His community service includes serving as Co-Chair of the International Environmental Law Section of the American Branch of the International Law Association and as President of the Association of Environmental Studies & Sciences (AESS). He was the 2019 recipient of AESS’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Scholarship and Service in the field. He received his Ph.D. in International Law from the University of Wales-Cardiff School of Law and is the author of more than 90 publications.
Lecture:  The lecture is available here.

The List: Professor Burns will join the discussion list for the Guest Speaker Program from February 16-20.  You can access the list here.  

Links: 
  • Carbon180, Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (2026)
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Scientists Warn Ocean Carbon Removal Could Backfire Without Better Oversight, SciTechDaily, Nov. 17, 2025 
  • Oschlies, et al., Perspectives and challenges of marine carbon dioxide removal, Frontiers in Climate, Jan. 6, 2025  
  • Penrose, Marine carbon dioxide removal: diving in at the deep end, May 23, 2025 
  • Silverman-Roati, et al., Liability Considerations for Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal 
  • Projects in U.S. Waters Projects in U.S. Waters, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School, March, 2025

Tune In:  Schedule of Speakers for Spring 2026