STAND WITH 169 YOUTH PLAINTIFFS
Our Children’s Trust stands firm in our commitment to holding governments accountable through the law and science, amplifying the voices of youth. Your support honors the 169 youth plaintiffs involved in 12 active cases across 4 countries, who are defending their constitutional rights for both present and future generations. Your contribution celebrates their voices and champions their rights. Together we will cultivate a rising tide of intergenerational support for children’s rights, climate science, and the vital role our courts play in our constitutional democracy.
Donate Today. 169 new gifts by April 30 will unlock a $40,000 challenge grant.
Learn MORE ABOUT OUR MILESTONE YEAR AND GROUNDBREAKING WORK.
Read the inspiring journeys of Claire, Isaac, and Kalālapa, youth plaintiffs in three of our constitutional climate lawsuits. And learn how our case history and trailblazing strategy powered us forward to climate victory in 2023.
WE BELIEVE
That young people deserve to be happy and safe today and in the future. We use our legal and scientific expertise so they can tell their stories in court, in the media, and on the world stage.
The climate crisis is the single biggest driver of
health for every child born today.
Lisa Patel, MD, MESc, Board Member, Our Children’s Trust; Executive Director, Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health;
Clinical Associate Professor, Stanford Children’s Health
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
WE Recognize
Children’s Rights
Our work will be achieved when there is universal recognition of children’s climate rights by courts around the world and children’s fundamental rights to life on this planet are protected.
YOUTH-POWERED
LITIGATION
GENESIS B. V. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Eighteen children under 18 from California filed suit against the U.S. EPA for intentionally allowing decades of life-threatening climate pollution, resulting in their loss of home, health, and happiness. They are suing for the equal rights of children everywhere, who deserve a healthy planet and future.
HELD v. STATE OF MONTANA
After winning a groundbreaking decision in Held v. State of Montana, we will continue to represent the 16 youth plaintiffs to ensure that this judgment is upheld by the Montana Supreme Court, implemented by the political branches, and employed by the community.
navahine v. Hawaiʻi dOT
Navahine v Hawai‘i Department of Transportation is the first constitutional climate change case challenging a state’s transportation system that results in climate pollution, violating youth plaintiffs’ constitutional rights. Filed June 1, 2022, on behalf of 14 youth plaintiffs, Navahine will go to trial on June 24, 2024.
JULIANA V. UNITED STATES
For nearly nine years, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has aggressively filed motions to delay or dismiss this landmark constitutional climate case, even after U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken ruled in favor of the 21 youth plaintiffs and said they should be allowed to proceed to trial.
Biden’s DOJ is now taking its final swing to kill this case and silence these youth for good. We say no! Act now to rally around youth and #SaveJuliana by telling the Biden Administration and the DOJ: GO TO TRIAL. We demand the Juliana 21 be heard.
WORLD-POWERED
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER
LA ROSE V. HIS MAJESTY THE KING
A unanimous Federal Court of Appeal decision paves the path to trial for Canadian youth suing Canada for its role in climate change. The justices ruled the youth deserve a trial to determine if Canada is fulfilling its constitutional obligations.
BRIEF ON THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY
TO INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Our Children’s Trust, 21 North American youth, 18 global pediatric organizations, and Defensa Ambiental del Noroeste ask the Court to abandon the deadly, politically motivated 1.5°C target in the Paris Agreement and adopt a science-based standard that will protect human rights: 350 ppm CO₂.
IN THE NEWS
APR 10, 2024 | News Coverage
Law360
"Just as in Brown, it is not piecemeal actions, but the totality of EPA's conduct over climate pollution alleged to be unconstitutional here. Nothing in the law prevents these children from bringing this Fifth Amendment suit over the harm resulting to them from that conduct," the children said.”
APR 8, 2024 | News Coverage
E&E News
“The retired justices, along with tribal nations and outdoor recreation companies including Patagonia, said in friend of the court briefs that they are “profoundly concerned” that “partisan branches” of government are trying “to bar the judicial branch from enforcing constitutional rights.”
APR 10, 2024 | News Coverage
Reuters
“In the United States, similar litigation has been filed largely on behalf of young people who claim their futures and health are jeopardized by climate change.”
ACCOLADES
Berkeley Law honors Julia Olson, Our Children’s Trust Co-Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel with the Environmental Leadership Award for her groundbreaking work in youth-led constitutional climate litigation.
Co-Directors of Land Air Water, the Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW), and Professor John Bonine, honor Andrea Rodgers with the Svitlana Kravchenko Environmental Rights Award for exemplifying the ideals and carrying on the spirit of Professor Svitlana Kravchenko’s work.
TIME recognizes Held v. State of Montana youth plaintiffs for securing a major legal victory in their constitutional climate lawsuit. Youth plaintiff Claire accepts the Earth Award on behalf of her 15 fellow youth plaintiffs at the award ceremony.
EVENTS
Sunday, APR 21
1PM at the White House
Meet us at the White House to rally around 21 young Americans fighting for a livable climate future for all of us! We’ll gather on Pennsylvania Avenue at the White House, then GET LOUD! Hear from youth plaintiffs from across the nation including the landmark constitutional climate case, Juliana v. United States, the winning Held v. Montana case, Genesis v. U.S. EPA, and Layla H. v. Virginia. Climate youth leaders and community leaders will share why the Juliana 21 must be heard at trial.
Not in D.C.? No problem: Join @youthvgov on our Instagram or Facebook accounts at 1pm on the 21st and cheer the youth on via livestream.
Monday, APR 29
10AM at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
350 Hawaiʻi hosted an online event with Pahonu, one of the youth plaintiffs in our constitutional climate lawsuit Navahine F. v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation as well as Retired Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Justice Michael Wilson, and Marti Townsend, Regional Engagement Specialist at Earthjustice, who discussed the youth-led climate lawsuit.
Watch the recording here
Sunday, MAR 31
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, invite your friends and family to attend the court hearing and stand in solidarity with the brave young Californians in Genesis v. EPA as they demand legal protection of their constitutional rights to a safe climate for all present and future generations.
After the hearing, join us on Instagram or Facebook for a livestream to hear from the youth plaintiffs and their attorneys.