Climate change presents an imminent threat to social and ecological systems and a fascinating set of legal and governance challenges. This course explores the institutions and policy tools available for responding to these challenges, with emphasis on the political economy and distributional consequences of action at various scales. After an introductory unit on the science and politics of climate change, the course examines potential and actual legal and policy responses at the local, state, federal, and international levels; the possibility and limits of addressing climate change via litigation and private governance; the social and racial justice implications of climate change and climate change policy; and the ways in which multi-scalar regimes fit together in a complex and contested legal tapestry. Seminar sessions will be heavily discussion oriented. Grades will be based on a combination of writing assignments and class participation, including student presentations and a simulated climate diplomacy exercise.