Genesis v. EPA Youth Plaintiff Dives into Climate Impacts and Why Taking Legal Action is Important to Him
Genesis v. EPA youth plaintiff Avroh S. (Photo by Robin Loznak)
At just 14 years old, in December 2023, Avroh S. and 17 children filed the landmark climate lawsuit, Genesis v. EPA. In the lawsuit, they assert the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency allows life-threatening climate pollution that harms their health and welfare, and discriminates against them as children by discounting the economic value of their lives and their futures when deciding whether and how much climate pollution to allow.
In a Q&A session, Avroh describes how the climate crisis is impacting him both physically and mentally, outlines his goals for the lawsuit, and reflects on his experience during his first court hearing. He also offers a message to other young people who feel hopeless amid the crisis.
1. How have you seen your world change and why is it important for you to protect it?
When I was younger, everyone talked about climate change (global warming as we called it, back then) in the future tense as we had not really experienced any of its effects. In those days, I would walk through the local park with my family and see a squirrel run up a tree. I would smile. Today, that tree is not there. It fell during the storms in 2023. I have seen houses destroyed and damaged, people choke on toxic smoke, and look up to apocalyptically orange skies. Climate change is not going to happen, it is happening. As someone who has always felt connected to nature, to the animals, to the trees, I cannot look at an issue as big as this and turn away. Rather, I can do my part to protect our world because at the end of the day, it is all that we have.
2. How has the climate crisis impacted you as a young Californian?
When I was in fourth grade, my school shut down for a day due to bad air quality. In sixth grade, the sky turned orange. In eighth grade, our street and backyard flooded on several occasions. These are just a handful of climate change-fueled events I have experienced. In eighth grade, I spent countless nights tossing and turning as heavy rain poured down, and howling wind rattled my house. I have refused to sit still and let the earth deteriorate since third grade, but clearly the events of the world speak otherwise to my actions.
When I first started taking action, I was full of hope and determined to make a change, but today I cannot say the same. Although I am not pessimistic, doubt and anxiety has clouded my view, that was once bright with hope and optimism. Additionally, in taking climate action, I have given up on many other passions like soccer and debate, unable to squeeze both into my schedule, something that saddens me. Yet through all this doubt and sadness, I remain hopeful because of perseverance and integrity, knowing that what I am working towards is the right thing. After all, you can’t spell “integrity” without “grit.”
3. Why did you decide to sue your federal government and what do you hope to achieve with your lawsuit?
I decided to sue the federal government because I knew what I was experiencing as a result of climate change-fueled events was not okay. I have followed the Juliana case from a young age, intrigued after I heard about it through a mention in a podcast. But after experiencing extreme events that no one should have to experience, I knew that I had to draw a line. I hope to achieve a life and a future that isn’t valued less than the life of current adults. I hope that this future is extended to posterity.
4. You just had your first court hearing on Monday, what was that like?
As I sat in the courtroom and listened to my attorneys, the government’s lawyers, and the judge, I felt happy to know that my story can go somewhere, but I also felt eerily normal. I didn’t feel out of place, for one, but I also felt as if what I was doing was nothing out of the ordinary for a teenage guy. I felt normal that I have to sue my government in order for them to value my life as a young person to equal that of the lives of older individuals. I felt normal knowing that I have been deprived of equal protection under the law. I felt normal, for so many reasons, but I also felt hopeful hearing my attorneys’ arguments as they brought passion and reason to the courtroom. I felt hopeful knowing that they are working towards what is right.
Avroh S. and his fellow youth plaintiffs in front of the courthouse for oral arguments on April 29, 2024. (Photo by Robin Loznak)
5. What does it mean to you to have courts, governments, and the world hear your voice and your story?
It is incredibly impactful to know that there is an avenue for my voice to be heard, especially as I cannot vote or stand for election. Knowing that I can do more than volunteer or start a club is very purposeful and tells me that children can make a difference through the courts, and that my story and my experiences can serve to better future lives.
6. What are your hopes for future generations?
I hope that future generations will be able to enjoy a life where they don’t have to worry about lethal floods, toxic smoke, and more at the alarmingly increasing rate that I have experienced. Posterity should be able to enjoy a safe and healthy atmosphere and climate. I dream that they can have a life where the biggest stresses are that of school, sports, and relationships. I hope that future generations can have a happy childhood where they don’t feel pressured to take action to save their planet, and the nature around them, especially as children.
7. What would you say to those who feel they cannot make a difference?
Every voice matters. For those who have taken action but have yet to see much progress or success, do not give up as you are not alone in your efforts. Resilience and integrity are key. And as difficult as this may seem, hold on to hope. For those who feel that taking action is pointless and will not make a difference, you would be right to say that fighting climate change is not easy and does not often yield immediate results, but there are small things that we all can do, whether that means engaging in local politics, voting or even having climate-themed conversations. Sometimes it feels like you’re alone, but you’ll find that the more you engage in climate advocacy the more friends you’ll make. Your voice matters.
