Young Activists Appeal Climate Change Case to Supreme Court

Young Activists Take Climate Change Case to the Supreme Court

A group of determined young individuals, who initiated a groundbreaking climate change lawsuit in 2015 against the federal government, are now seeking to bring their case before the Supreme Court. This follows a series of setbacks that led to their lawsuit being dismissed, and they are eager for the opportunity to present their arguments in court.

This type of appeal to the Supreme Court is relatively uncommon, but the plaintiffs contend that the federal government has consistently hindered the legal process through various courtroom tactics over the years. This ongoing obstruction has prompted their request for the Supreme Court’s intervention. As Sahara Valentine, one of the plaintiffs at just 20 years old, expressed in a recent interview, “The Department of Justice has entirely blocked our path to trial. It’s really important to us that we get a fair say in court.”

The case, known as Juliana v. U.S., accuses the federal government of infringing upon the constitutional rights of the young plaintiffs by failing to take significant action against fossil fuel consumption, despite overwhelming evidence regarding the severe risks posed by climate change. Originally filed in federal court in Oregon, the lawsuit was on the verge of going to trial. However, during the Obama administration, the Justice Department initiated efforts to dismiss the case, ultimately succeeding at the appellate court level in 2020. An amended complaint presented by the plaintiffs was also dismissed shortly thereafter.

On Thursday, the plaintiffs took a significant step by submitting a petition to the Supreme Court. They are asking the Court to overturn the appellate court’s ruling and to remand the case back to the district court, allowing it to proceed to trial. The petition argues that the government has deliberately mired the case in procedural complexities instead of allowing a fair examination of its substantive issues.

The Justice Department has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding this latest development.

The young plaintiffs are being represented by Our Children’s Trust, a nonprofit law firm based in Eugene, Oregon, that has pioneered similar lawsuits across the nation, leveraging constitutional claims to address environmental issues. Recently, their advocacy efforts culminated in a notable victory in Hawaii in June, where Governor Josh Green announced a settlement with the plaintiffs after they had sued the state’s Department of Transportation over its fossil fuel usage. As part of this agreement, the state committed to decarbonizing its transportation system within the next 20 years, enhancing bicycle infrastructure, and increasing investments in electric vehicle charging stations.