Commentary

Senior Counsel

Peter has been an environmental, land use, and consumer attorney and advocate since 1983. He has held various roles in Washington, DC including Of Counsel at the Center for Food Safety; Vice President for U.S. Government Policy at Conservation International; Director of International Conservation at Defenders of Wildlife; and Staff Attorney at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Additionally, he worked as a contracted consultant on endangered species recovery efforts with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Turner Endangered Species Fund in New Mexico. Prior to that, he served as an Attorney and Policy Analyst for the U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, and was also in private law practice. His career has centered on bringing the best science to bear in environmental protection efforts; he has specialized in working with scientists so their findings can inform good policy, as well as in federal litigation. Most of his work has been in aid of wildlife conservation in the fields of pesticides, genetically modified organisms, invasive species, wildlife disease prevention, international trade, land use conflicts, and other areas. Peter received his law degree from the University of Puget Sound (now Seattle University) School of Law and also has a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, with a focus on conservation biology.

COMMENTARY | A View of the Climate Emergency

by | July 1, 2021
Time is too short, we must all actively engage to address all aspects of this national climate emergency ...

COMMENTARY | The Chemistry Council’s PFAS Disinformation Campaign

by | June 22, 2021
The American Chemistry Council is trying to convince federal and state legislators that PFAS isn't a problem that needs to be addressed ...

COMMENTARY | Scientists Will Urge Biden to Go Big on Ocean Protection

by | June 2, 2021
Scientists’ letter urges the administration to prioritize highly threatened, productive continental shelf waters for protection. Sign the letter ...

COMMENTARY | What is Going On with Colorado Air Quality?

by | May 24, 2021
Colorado has been undermining its own air pollution experts for years in favor of easing requirements for polluters ...

COMMENTARY | Endangered Species Day: In Praise of the Combat Biologists

by | May 21, 2021
Combat biologists have helped ensure the success of the Endangered Species Act, working tirelessly for even the most humble creature ...
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