Climate Science Legal Defense Fund
The Climate Science Legal Defense Fund (CSLDF) is a not-for-profit organization established in 2011 to provide legal assistance to researchers and institutions engaged in climate science facing legal challenges from private entities such as think tanks and legal foundations.
| Abbreviation | CSLDF |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2011 |
| Founder | Scott Mandia, Joshua Wolfe |
| Type | Not for profit organization |
| Purpose | Legal aid |
| Location |
|
Executive Director | Lauren Kurtz |
| Website | https://csldf.org |
CSLDF also provides litigation support and files amicus briefs in related cases, promotes awareness among scientists of their legal rights and responsibilities, and makes public the legal actions taken against scientists.
CSLDF claims that many legal challenges faced by scientists are intended to silence them for political reasons or stifle their research. According to CSLDF, litigation has intensified against climate scientists in recent years, and salaries earned by academics and researchers are often inadequate to pay for litigation defending against "corporate-funded law firms and institutes."
Following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, CSLDF reported an increase in the need for their services from scientists concerned that they could be targeted by the Trump administration.