Curriculum
Our Children’s Trust is excited to share free curricula for high school teachers.
We hope that students everywhere will have an opportunity
to learn more about landmark youth-led climate change litigation.
Hawai‘i: Navahine v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT)
The Navahine Lesson Plan for Creative Nonfiction and Scientific Storytelling focuses on Navahine v. HDOT, the landmark youth-led constitutional climate case that resulted in a historic settlement advancing Hawaiʻi’s transition to a zero-emissions transportation system by 2045. Built by for educators, this interactive English lesson plan for 11th- and 12th-grade students explores the significance of the Navahine settlement, Hawai‘i’s constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment, and the power of youth voices in shaping climate solutions.
Federal: Juliana v. united States
Making the Case for Science-Based Climate Action - focuses on Juliana v. United States, the groundbreaking youth-led, scientist-backed constitutional climate lawsuit currently working its way through the federal courts. Built by and for educators, this interactive five-day lesson plan provides teachers with lecture notes, slides, activities, role-playing opportunities, and worksheets to engage students in lessons on civics, climate science, the law, current events, and youth-led movements. This curriculum can be taught in a five-day sequence or, alternatively, utilized as stand-alone activities and lessons to fit any classroom schedule.
oregon: Chernaik v. brown
The Chernaik v. Brown curriculum is based on the youth climate lawsuit filed by two young Oregonians against the State of Oregon, recently argued before the Oregon Supreme Court on November 13, 2019. This curriculum consists of three lessons where teachers can engage students in lessons on current events, civics, climate science, youth-led movements, and the law. As additional versions of this curriculum for other state cases are designed, they will be added to this page.
If you are a…
Teacher - download our free curricula for use in your classroom today
Student - ask your teacher to add this curricula to your class
Parent - ask your children’s teachers and local administrators in your district to teach these lessons.
Questions about Our Children’s Trust free curricula can be sent to education@ourchildrenstrust.org
RESOURCES
Explore our curated collection of books, films, and podcasts on climate change, our youth-led climate cases, and sustainability, designed to deepen your understanding and inspire climate action.
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In 2015, a group of twenty-one young people sued the federal government in Juliana v. United States for violating their constitutional rights by promoting climate catastrophe and thereby depriving them of life, liberty, and property without due process and equal protection of law. They Knew offers evidence supporting the children's claims, presenting a devastating and compelling account of the federal government's role in bringing about today's climate crisis. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to Our Children’s Trust.
Compelling and timely, award-winning author Elizabeth Rusch’s The Twenty-One tells the gripping inside story of the ongoing landmark federal climate change lawsuit, Juliana vs. United States of America. The Twenty-One is for readers of Christina Soontornvat’s All Thirteen, fans of Steve Sheinkin’s books, and anyone interested in the environment and climate change, as well as youth activism, politics and government, and the law.
As the World Burns is climate breakdown like you’ve never seen it — through the eyes of the young — an invaluable account of the dire consequences of inaction and the potential pitfalls of leaving the fate of the planet in the hands of the United States courts. And of children.
The Customer is the Planet is a blend of inspiration and education. It explains the why, what, so what, of the problem or opportunity in each key area of sustainability; followed by deep expertise, knowledge and guidance that grows awareness, increases desire to change, and equips the reader to take action, measure, report and improve. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to Our Children’s Trust.
Climate Change on Trial: Mobilizing Human Rights Litigation to Accelerate Climate Action
Based on CLX’s original case database as well as interviews with leading actors and participant observation in the field, Climate Change on Trial: Mobilizing Human Rights Litigation to Accelerate Climate Action tells the twenty-year rise and global diffusion of human rights-based climate change litigation. It combines insights from global governance, international law, climate policy, human rights, and legal mobilization theory in order to offer a socio-legal account of the actors, strategies, and norms that have emerged at the intersection of human rights and climate governance.
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The independent film tells the story of Juliana v. United States. The climate crisis is often treated as something big and existential. However, this film demonstrates that it’s also something that is immediately personal. The viewer gets to see and hear the stories of individual youth who are directly impacted and harmed by this crisis.
Climate of Trust tells the story about the scientists who developed the scientific prescriptions needed for a climate recovery plan, the attorney who figured out how to apply the Public Trust Doctrine to the atmosphere, and one of the attorneys who is supporting these youth in court.
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Drilled: An Update on the Big U.S. Youth Climate Lawsuit
This episode features an interview with Chief Legal Counsel for Our Children’s Trust, Julia Olson, and discusses why theJuliana v. United States youth plaintiffs are bringing their lawsuit based on the best available climate science.
No Ordinary Lawsuit
No Ordinary Lawsuit follows 21 young Americans who sued the federal government from 2015-2024, in a landmark constitutional case, Juliana v. US. The podcast takes listeners behind the scenes, while the case was active, and brings to life the stories of the youth plaintiffs’ fight to reverse the course of climate change.
Episode 3: The Government Knew
Update # 1 - Juliana v. United States Case Halted on the Eve of Trial
Update # 2 - Their Day Outside Court
Mini Episode - A Whirlwind Trip to the Nation’s Media Capital
Mini Episode - The Plaintiffs Rally in Portland
Bonus Episode - Changing Tactics in the Face of Climate Emergency