Sebastian Duque Rios
Sebastian Duque Rios joined the Environmental Law Institute as a Research Associate in August 2024. He is the host of the People Places Planet Podcast.
Appears in 17 Episodes
Welcome to People Places Planet
Ahead of our eighth season, here's a preview of what's to come in People, Places, Planet, a bi-weekly podcast from the Environmental Law Institute. From climate change...
Monsanto v. Durnell: Federal Preemption, Roundup, and the Future of Pesticide Liability
Can states hold pesticide companies accountable — or does federal law preempt? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios sits down with Patt...
Place-Based Energy Transitions: Who Decides and Who Benefits in a Clean Energy Future
What does a truly just energy transition look like — and who gets to define it? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios sits down with Nad...
Centering Equity in Ocean Governance
What does equity look like in ocean governance? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios speaks with Yoshitaka Ota of Ocean Nexus and Randa...
A New Era? Private Sector Leadership in Environmental Law
Is environmental law entering a new era—one defined not just by regulation and litigation, but also by implementation, incentives, and private-public partnerships?In t...
Data Centers, AI, and the Grid: Can Load Flexibility Unlock New Capacity?
As artificial intelligence drives unprecedented growth in electricity demand, data centers are rapidly becoming some of the largest—and most consequential—loads on the...
FIFRA, Explained
From the food we eat to the parks, farms, and neighborhoods around us, pesticide policy quietly shapes everyday life in the United States.In this installment of our Ex...
What’s Next for Environmental Law in 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, People, Places, Planet takes stock of a year of profound change in environmental law—and looks ahead to the legal and policy questions that w...
Defensores ambientales: hacia la rendición de cuentas en Colombia
This is a special edition episode in Spanish with our Colombian partner on ELI's Environmental Defenders Database project. If you'd like to learn more, please visit ou...
Groundtruth: Sustaining State Environmental Justice Programs in a Changed Policy Environment
Environmental justice continues to evolve as states respond to shifting federal priorities and community needs. New Jersey has emerged as a leader, integrating equity ...
ESA, Explained
At a time when species across the country face mounting pressures, the Endangered Species Act remains one of the most powerful—and contested—tools we have to protect t...
Fish, Conflict, and the Future of Our Oceans
As climate change reshapes our oceans, fish populations are shifting across borders and into new territories, creating ripple effects for food security, livelihoods, a...
Inside NYC's Congestion Pricing Program
As the first U.S city to implement a congestion pricing program, New York City has begun charging vehicles entering high-traffic areas of Manhattan a toll. With this i...
Indigenous Approaches to International Law
What does it mean to “indigenize” international law—and why does it matter for the environment? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios sp...
NFMA, Explained
What is the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), and how has it shaped the way America manages its forests? In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Sebastian...
A Thriving Future for Wetlands: Lessons from Louisiana, Virginia, and Idaho
Since 1989, the National Wetlands Awards have honored leaders who protect, restore, and steward America’s wetlands. In this episode of People, Places, Planet, host Seb...
Celebrating Collaboration: ECOS and the Future of State-Level Environmental Policy
In this special episode of People Places Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios speaks with Ben Grumbles, president of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), and s...