SECURING CHILDREN’S FUNDAMENTAL CLIMATE RIGHTS 

We’re powering young people asserting their climate rights in courts around the world. When we succeed, we will have reclaimed children’s rights to life, safety, and prosperity—rights that cannot be understood without a safe, and livable climate.   

THE FUTURE OF 2 BILLION CHILDREN IS
THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

We exclusively represent children — free of charge — to protect their right to a stable climate.

  • We know the scientific prescription for a safe climate: return atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to below 350 parts per million by 2100. Scientists rang the alarm, but governments have affirmatively promoted fossil fuels. To stop global heating, we bring scientists to court to show how, when, and why the fossil fuel era must end. Establishing the constitutional standard to a safe and stable climate for children and future generations sets the bar for government conduct. We seek legally binding judicial declarations that end new fossil fuel infrastructure and extraction, phase out fossil fuels no later than 2050, and restore the Earth’s energy balance.

  • Children are living through unprecedented wildfires, smoke, heat, storms, drought, and floods, and they know what needs to be done. Those in power need to listen to young people’s simple and serious demands. Trust science. Act now. Their health and their future depend on it. As advocates, our job is to make sure children’s voices are heard in courts of law, telling judges the stories of their burning lungs, lost homes, their hope, and their fear. It’s our job to obtain enforceable remedies against governments that are harming children and generations to come the politically silent majority. Constitutional impact litigation is the most important tool to secure durable climate justice.

  • We launched a global era of climate impact litigation to hold governments accountable for perpetuating the climate crisis. Emboldened and empowered by our inclusive, proactive approach, young people took to the courts, organized in the streets, and demanded that governments listen. Today, we partner with youth, lawyers, organizations, and the people to mobilize and realize the full power of our democracy. The world’s courts the third branch of government hold the power to enforce the right to life for all of our children. We train the next generation of legal minds to think big, advance the law, and boldly protect our democracy.

YOUTH-POWERED LITIGATION

FUND THE FUTURE. DONATE TODAY.

This has been another legacy year for Our Children’s Trust and our groundbreaking work across the globe. Our Children’s Trust works for children. We are driven to leave a lasting legacy of climate protection, because we want to make sure the world is a safe place for all present and future generations.

With your support we will address the urgent and monumental challenge of the climate emergency. 100% of our budget is supported by people like you — with no funding from our legal cases. Donations help us provide free legal representation and unwavering support to our youth plaintiffs — young leaders who share a love of nature, a love of home and drive hope in action.

In the News

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • This year’s theme is "Rising to the Challenge: Justice on the Horizon." The organizers of PIELC are committed to continuing to host an inclusive event that celebrates diversity, opposes injustice of all forms, and acknowledges the connection between oppression and environmental destruction. The team at Our Children’s Trust will participate in a few panels. More information to come.

    Regsiter at https://www.pielc.org/


  • Harvard Law School is hosting Art of Social Change, featuring Julia Olson, Co-Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel of Our Children’s Trust. Olson will discuss the groundbreaking youth-led climate lawsuits that are reshaping legal landscapes across the United States and the world, advancing the fight to protect the fundamental right of all young people to a safe, livable climate.

  • The city of Boise’s climate division is hosting The Youth Climate Action Summit. Olivia V., Held v. State of Montana youth plaintiff will speak to students about taking climate action through the courts, sharing her experience as a youth plaintiff, participating in the first climate trial of its kind in the U.S., and reaching a historic ruling in August 2023.

AWARDS

Montana Audobon honors the 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana with the Conservationist of the Year Award for their historic, winning, youth-led constitutional climate lawsuit.

EarthDay.org honors the 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana with the Youth Climate Leadership Award for their victory in Helena, Montana on August 14, 2023.

The Independent names Julia Olson one of the world’s foremost environmentalists on its Climate 100 List 2024 for founding Our Children’s Trust and reaching a historic climate victory in Held v. State of Montana.