Student Law Clinics GDA 6 at York Law School

November 2024 saw the Student Law Clinics GDA 6, centred on the theme of water, with our clinic’s focus set firmly on the issue of flooding in York. Flooding in York has always been an issue - the Vale of York is flat and low - and the City has adapted over many centuries to the rise and fall of its main tidal river the River Ouse. In recent years, however, the frequency and ferocity of flooding in York and the surrounding countryside has become much greater.

To generate discussion of this issue we came up with the idea of a carousel event to be held in the Foyer of the Law School. The concept had taken shape as a way to bring together a range of perspectives, knowledge, and stories about how flooding affected the city. We recognised that water, as both a resource and a risk, provided a powerful lens through which to think about the wider climate crisis.

By concentrating on flooding, we created an opportunity not only to highlight the extensive damage done to York’s infrastructure and surrounding farmland, but also to look more closely at what actually flowed into our rivers and the consequences this carried for communities, wildlife, and the environment.

To communicate these complex issues, we prepared posters that told the story visually. They were designed to show the impact of flooding in a clear, accessible, and striking way. We also set up a large screen with an interactive map of the region which showed the impact of different levels of temperature change on sea levels and the potentially devastating impact on our region.

These visual prompts supported conversations throughout the event, drawing people in and sparking ideas about how law, policy, and community action might respond to the challenges ahead.

The focus on water and flooding in York reminded everyone of the urgent and ongoing need to address climate impacts at both local and global levels. It also demonstrated how student law clinics could play a role in shaping conversations that reached beyond the classroom, contributing to a broader understanding of justice in the age of climate change.