Recent Expansion of Gubernatorial Emergency Powers to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic: Examining Applications for the Climate Crisis

Abstract

With a particular focus on the states of California and Florida, this Note delves into the leadership roles assumed by governors when addressing the global COVID-19 pandemic, evaluates the applicability of this gubernatorial strategy to the climate crisis, and examines the criticisms and constitutional challenges to expanding gubernatorial emergency powers. Part I explores the core similarities and differences between the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Part II addresses the failure of federal and international policy responses to both the pandemic and climate change. Part III details the states’ use of gubernatorial emergency powers to respond to COVID-19. Part IV then evaluates the viability of using gubernatorial emergency powers as a means of responding to climate change. Finally, Part V addresses the criticisms and constitutional challenges to expanding these gubernatorial powers. Ultimately, this Note aims to explore whether gubernatorial emergency powers, a vital tool used during the pandemic, could also be used to address climate change at a state level. This abstract has been taken from the author\u27s introduction