Devastating wildfires in Australia early this year have killed nearly 30 people and a billion native animals and have burned millions of acres of land. The tragedy is only the latest effect of climate change, as warmer temperatures have enabled brush fires to turn into catastrophic blazes by feeding on unusually dry vegetation, climate scientists say.

Halfway across the world, U.S. law firms are responding to climate change in their own unique way, creating space for environmental practice groups to do climate-specific work and building teams specifically focused on helping entities have a measured, positive impact on the climate.