October 25, 2026
By Zoe Grames-Webb
Zoe Grames-Webb is a youth plaintiff in La Rose v. His Majesty the King, a federal climate lawsuit challenging government policies that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and, the youth argue, violate their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and security of the person under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Zoe is studying Biochemistry at the University of British Columbia and has been a plaintiff in the case for seven years.
When I was 13 years old, I stood before a crowd of thousands holding signs with hearts at one of the biggest climate change marches in Canada’s history. I had just become a plaintiff in La Rose v. His Majesty the King, and was surrounded by my fellow plaintiffs and the now famous climate activist, Greta Thunberg, as well as Canadians filled with hope for a future free of fossil fuels.
The sea of hearts at the 2019 Vancouver, BC, climate rally. Photo by Robin Loznak.
Now, after seven years, La Rose is heading to trial. What began when I was 13 has become something much bigger than I understood back then. Climate change is more than just having occasional hot and cold days. It is changing the air we breathe, the ecosystems we depend on, and the frequency or severity of extreme weather events, including heat waves, floods, and wildfires. It is shaping every aspect of our lives. Yet even when we experience these changes firsthand, we don’t always connect them to our changing climate.
Governments acknowledge the “emergency” that is climate change, yet meaningful action continues to fall short. Instead, government officials promise short-term economic gains and temporary jobs related to the fossil fuel industry.
My generation is witnessing the climate crisis right before our eyes, and is living with its impacts. It’s not a future problem. It is a present-day emergency. I’ve lived through the heat dome in Vancouver, which shrouded my community in deadly heat never before experienced in the Pacific Northwest. It was impossible to escape. My school and sporting events have been cancelled due to extreme weather and wildfires. I’ve had to breathe in lungfuls of smokey air and cancel plans with friends and family because it wasn’t safe to go outside.
One thing that has kept me dedicated to La Rose is that the case is rooted in science and the protection of human rights. I've always loved science, and I'm now pursuing my degree in Biochemistry at University of British Columbia.
Back in grade 5 we learned about the greenhouse effect and global warming, and I realized that hotter days and wildfire smoke were coming from climate change. My mom is a human rights advocate, so I see this case as a blending of both of our interests for the greater good.
I didn’t want to sit back and let climate change happen to me. I wanted to take action.
I first learned about this case from my parents, who introduced me to the work of renowned scientists and human rights experts contributing to the case. The lawsuit would ask the court to order the government to create a climate recovery plan aligned with what scientists say is necessary to protect Canadian children. That made sense to me.
As a thirteen-year-old, I was just beginning to understand how this was a systemic problem. I saw how government policies were directly contributing to fossil fuel production and consumption, fueling the climate crisis. Instead of following through on its commitment to reduce emissions, my government was investing in pipelines for fossil fuels. Joining La Rose gave me a way to challenge those policies and hold the government accountable.
As I’ve grown up with La Rose, I’ve changed. I’ve gone through high school and am now in my third year at university. As I’ve grown older, my understanding of what’s at stake has deepened, as has my commitment to the cause.
Youth plaintiffs at the September 2026 plaintiff gathering (Zoe, far right). Photo by Eillin Delapaz-Aceves.
La Rose has also helped me not to feel alone. I get to meet so many others who want to take action, to speak up and do something about it, which fills me with hope.
In 2024, I was a guest speaker for a class participating in a mock trial. Usually my interviews and speaking engagements were geared towards adults, but this was my first time speaking to a group of kids my age about the case. I remember being surprised at how many questions they asked—they were inspired by me and the case, and I was inspired by them.
Zoe as a guest speaker for a mock trial.
One of them asked if I ever regretted joining the case. It’s been a long journey, but I’ve been so grateful for this experience. The people I’ve met, all that I’ve learned, bonding with my fellow plaintiffs and the adults who genuinely care and are interested in making a difference, has been an incredible and formative part of my life.
The support I’ve gotten and the people I’ve met continue to fuel my hope throughout the whole process.
That’s why I would love to see a crowd of supporters as we walk into trial. It’s been seven years since the Fridays for Future Climate March, and it would mean so much to know people are still standing with us, even after all this time. I want to know that everyone’s heart is still in it, as I know mine is.
13-year-old me would be so excited to know we got all the way to trial. I will be carrying her confidence and optimism into the courtroom on October 26. I know that when I testify in court, my community will be standing behind me.
I hope you’ll be there!
Join Zoe on October 26th at the Youth v. Canada Climate Rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery! Hear directly from the young plaintiffs and their legal team, hear from community voices, and enjoy live music and performances.
WHERE: Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2H6
WHEN: Monday, October 26, 2026, at 5:30pm
As told to Emily F. Miller
