Our Children’s Trust: 2025 Impact Report
Youth Are Democracy’s Heartbeat
DEAR FRIENDS,
Since 2010, Our Children's Trust has stood by young people in court to enforce their constitutional right to a livable future—with the best available climate science and unwavering resolve.
Democracy lives where youth advance it. This year, over 180 youth plaintiffs across 15 states and 4 countries made history—testifying in federal court, winning landmark victories, and creating meaningful change for 2 billion children worldwide.
Thanks to you, we're turning courage into courtroom progress and youth voices into unstoppable momentum for climate justice. We stand with them every step of the way.
With gratitude and fierce determination,
Julia and Mat
Our Children’s Trust empowers youth to secure their rights to life and a livable climate in courts around the world, enshrine the best science in law, and compel government action to protect their futures.
IN 2025, WE CHAMPIONED 180+ YOUTH PLAINTIFFS ACROSS 15 STATES AND 4 COUNTRIES IN 17 CASES IMPACTING 75 MILLION U.S. CHILDREN AND 2 BILLION CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
1st YOUTH-LED FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE HEARING
2 CASES IN FRONT OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT
15 YEARS OF ADVOCACY RECOGNIZED BY COURTS
5 NEW CASES LAUNCHED
We represent young people in state, federal, and international courts, setting precedents as judges increasingly recognize governments' duty to protect future generations.
Our plaintiffs challenged transportation departments, energy agencies, and fossil fuel promoting utility systems in seven states while supporting constitutional amendments to protect children's rights.
At the federal level, we're using civil rights legal tactics to pursue constitutional precedent that transcends politics—creating ripples that reshape climate justice and compel action nationwide.
OUR 2025 CASES + INITIATIVES
OUR 2025 CASES + INITIATIVES
All cases are grounded in youth's constitutional rights to life, a stable climate, and a livable future. Here is a snapshot of the active cases and initiatives from 2025:
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THE CASE
16 youth plaintiffs (ages 9-18 at filing) challenged Hawaiʻi's operation of its transportation system
Hawaiʻi planned to emit 190 million metric tons of CO₂ from transportation (2025-2045)—equivalent to the annual emissions of 91 nations combined
KEY IMPACTS
Youth voices led to action that will reduce home loss from wildfires, coral reef die-off, beach erosion, water insecurity, flooding, and threats to traditional farming and fishing practices
Prevents coral reef loss and reduces projected sea level rise by two-thirds (from 4 feet to 1.3 feet by 2100)
THE WIN
Groundbreaking settlement affirming the constitutional right to a healthy climate
Legally requires HDOT to achieve zero emissions for ground, sea, and inter-island air transportation by 2045
Systemic shift in how HDOT evaluates and prioritizes projects
Transportation Youth Council launched with 20 young people empowered with oversight
200-page "Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan"
Complete multimodal transit networks within five years
$40M for public EV charging by 2030
1,000+ native trees planted annually
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THE CASE
16 youth plaintiffs (ages 2-18 at filing) challenged laws prohibiting consideration of climate impacts in fossil fuel approvals
Montana emits 166 million tons CO₂ annually; warmed 0.5°F per decade since 1970
KEY IMPACTS
Youth testimony led to actions that directly impact their lives by reducing worsening wildfires, toxic smoke, extreme heat, drought, mental health harms, disruption of Native cultural practices, threats to traditional foods, and destruction of homes and family property
Helps prevent loss of Montana's 6,000-7,000 year-old glaciers, lowest snowpack in 900 years, extreme flood events, earlier snowmelt, increased drought, and catastrophic wildfire/smoke
THE WIN
First litigated constitutional climate victory in U.S. history, finding that laws promoting fossil fuels are unconstitutional—upheld by the Supreme Court of Montana
Established youths’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment includes the right to a stable climate system
Landmark precedent: every ton of CO₂ matters and must be accounted for; comprehensive factual record shows climate change is causing unconstitutional degradation of Montana's environment and harms to Montana youth
State has affirmative obligation to prevent harm and must now weigh climate harms in fossil fuel decisions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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THE CASE
13 youth plaintiffs (ages 15-24 at filing) are challenging laws passed in 2025 that attempt to undermine the Held victory by preventing state agencies from adequately considering or regulating greenhouse gas pollution as unconstitutional
STATUS
The Montana Supreme Court directed the case to the District Court
KEY IMPACTS
Youth enforcement will strike down unconstitutional laws allowing fossil fuel permits that lock in decades of pollution and irreversible harms—ending the state's defiance of the Supreme Court ruling
State agencies will be forced to stop using unconstitutional laws to justify ongoing fossil fuel project permits
Enforcement transforms historic legal victory into immediate protections—preventing more permits for projects emitting unconstitutional levels of climate pollution
THE WIN
First litigated constitutional climate victory in U.S. history, finding that laws promoting fossil fuels are unconstitutional—upheld by the Supreme Court of Montana
Established youths’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment includes the right to a stable climate system
Landmark precedent: every ton of CO₂ matters and must be accounted for; comprehensive factual record shows climate change is causing unconstitutional degradation of Montana's environment and harms to Montana youth
State has affirmative obligation to prevent harm and must now weigh climate harms in fossil fuel decisions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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THE CASE
8 youth plaintiffs (ages 11-22 at filing) challenging the Alaska Liquified Natural Gas Project that would triple the state's greenhouse gas emissions
STATUS
On appeal to the Alaska Supreme Court, with oral arguments scheduled for March 4, 2026
KEY IMPACTS
Prevent a proposed pipeline from adding 2.3-3.9 billion tons of CO₂ over 30 years—equivalent to 67-115 years of Alaska's current emissions
Protect Native communities whose homes, food sources, and cultural practices are threatened by rising temperatures and melting permafrost
Safeguard Alaskan marine life decimated by heatwaves in parts of the Arctic that are warming nearly 4x faster than the global average
Hold accountable a state whose fossil fuel combustion (91.3 million tons annually from fuels extracted in Alaska) exceeds the emissions of 176 countries
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THE CASE
6 Miami-Dade youth plaintiffs (ages 18-25 at filing) challenging the systematic approval of fossil fuel energy plans
STATUS
Awaiting ruling after December 9, 2025 hearing on Florida’s motion to dismiss
KEY IMPACTS
Unlock the Sunshine State's solar potential—transforming from just 6.5% solar to a clean energy leader and reducing the 75.4% fossil fuel dependence
Curb the power sector's 89.5 million tons of annual CO₂ emissions—more than Chile or Belgium and 39% of the state's total
Reduce extreme heat days in Southern Florida—the U.S. region facing the greatest increase in dangerous heat
Protect coral reefs, homes from rising seas, youth health from extreme heat, and communities from intensifying hurricanes
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THE CASE
13 youth plaintiffs (ages 2 months to 21 at filing) are challenging the approval of a permit to convert the state's former largest coal-fired power plant into the nation's largest gas-fired facility to power a massive data center
STATUS:
Filed and awaiting State’s response
KEY IMPACTS
Prevent 17+ million tons of annual CO₂e from America's largest gas plant—equivalent to burning 18 billion pounds of coal and exceeding 70+ countries' emissions
Stop the nation's largest AI data center (3,200 acres, 24/7 operations) from locking Pennsylvania into decades of fracking, water contamination, and toxic air pollution harming children's developing lungs
Establish precedent that states cannot sacrifice children's constitutional rights to health and safety for corporate profits—protecting youth nationwide from similar projects
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THE CASE
7 youth plaintiffs (ages 9-18 at filing) challenging state mandates to maximize fossil fuel development
STATUS
The Utah Supreme Court confirmed that state agencies have discretion to reject fossil fuel projects due to environmental and health impacts, though it required the youth plaintiffs to provide more specificity about the government conduct they are challenging
In response to this guidance, plaintiffs filed a new case—Roberts v. Board of Oil, Gas, and Mining
KEY IMPACTS
Victory would have prevented extraction of Utah's 181 billion tons of CO₂ reserves—stopping emissions 4.8x the annual fossil fuel output of all countries combined
Restoration of the Great Salt Lake, which has lost 48% of its area since 1847—reviving an ecosystem whose health ripples through Utah's air, water, and communities
Protection for the 10% of Utahns with asthma from longer pollen seasons and wildfire smoke that lower student test scores and future earnings
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THE CASE
10 youth plaintiffs (ages 13-22 at filing) challenging oil, gas, and coal permits issued since March 20, 2025
STATUS
Case filed on December 1, awaiting government response
KEY IMPACTS
Youth will force the Department of Oil, Gas, and Mining to comply with Supreme Court guidance—ending the 365 permits issued since March 20, 2025, that ignore the ruling that Utah need not maximize fossil fuel production
Victory halts the permitting surge that already exceeds 2024's record-breaking year of 65.5 million barrels of oil produced
Protection from increasingly frequent extreme heatwaves and harmful air pollution threatening Utah's environment and young people's lives
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THE CASE
12 youth plaintiffs (ages 10-18 at filing) challenging the Commonwealth's historic and ongoing permitting of fossil fuels and specific laws promoting their development
STATUS
In Court of Appeals, Plaintiffs defeated arguments from Commonwealth that it was immune from all suits alleging violations of due process rights. The Court of Appeals dismissed on other grounds
Virginia Supreme Court denied considering youth plaintiffs' appeal. Plaintiffs are exploring other advocacy efforts
KEY IMPACTS
Youth fought to address Virginia's 94.6 million tons of fossil fuel emissions—exceeding nations with more than double the population
Case highlighted coastal communities' 18 inches of sea level rise—one of the fastest rates in the U.S.
Plaintiffs documented their experiences with extreme weather—droughts, flooding, heat—and health impacts from air pollution and Lyme disease
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THE CASE
15 youth plaintiffs (ages 8-17 at filing) challenging laws banning consideration of air pollution in fossil fuel approvals and capping clean energy
STATUS
Responding to defendants’ motion to dismiss the case
KEY IMPACTS
Victory would transform Wisconsin's electricity from 75% fossil fuels to clean energy—cutting the 86.2 million tons of CO₂ emissions generated in 2023
Protection of winter tourism and agriculture from devastating warming that's altering snowfall and rainfall patterns
Relief from summer droughts, reduced crop yields, and Lyme disease cases that tripled in 15 years
Youth would help reduce climate-driven homes loss, preserve winter traditions, ensure clean water, reduce respiratory illness, and protect traditional foods and farming practices
Success would align state law with Wisconsin's 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2050—updating outdated statutes that have forced authorization of 127.7 million tons of CO₂ despite clean energy commitments
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THE CASE
18 California youth plaintiffs (ages 8-17 at filing) challenging EPA's discounting practices that devalue children's lives and their future health and wellbeing
STATUS
On appeal to the Ninth Circuit
KEY IMPACTS
Youth will hold the EPA accountable for the 277.5 billion tons of fossil CO₂ authorized since 1970—a 280% increase over all pre-EPA emissions
Protection from wildfires that burned at 10x the historical average in 2020-2021 due to climate pollution
Cleaner air for California's youth, with relief from wildfire smoke causing respiratory illness, home loss, and disrupted education
Victory could help protect remaining Sierra Nevada glaciers—already down 56% since the 1960s, an unprecedented loss in 10,000+ years—marking a turning point from accelerating loss to meaningful protection
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THE CASE
21 youth plaintiffs (ages 8-19 at filing) challenging the federal government's systematic promotion and support for fossil fuels
Landmark case that launched the global youth climate litigation movement
STATUS
Dismissed by Ninth Circuit—court acknowledged government-caused harm but claimed it did not have the power to create a remedy. Plaintiffs have filed a petition with the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights
KEY IMPACTS
Youth fought to hold the U.S. accountable for 24% of global historical emissions from just 4.2% of the world's population
Case helped build the record on federal government authorization of roughly one quarter of global warming, sea level rise, glacier loss, and climate-related deaths worldwide
Plaintiffs documented experiences of home loss from floods, rising seas, displacement from hurricanes and wildfires, and exposure to hazardous air pollution
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THE CASE
22 youth plaintiffs (ages 7-24 at filing) challenging executive orders that harm children’s health, our climate, and abuse presidential power
Of the 450+ lawsuits since January 2025 against Trump, this is the only one where 19 states and Guam intervened to back the President
STATUS
On appeal to the Ninth Circuit
KEY IMPACTS
Youth will block orders that would increase U.S. emissions by 510 million tons of CO₂ annually by 2035—preventing 2.55 billion cumulative tons (equal to the 122 lowest-emitting countries combined)
Success restores environmental safeguards and upholds state constitutional rights stripped by federal actions
Relief from intensifying wildfires, hurricanes, toxic smoke, flooding, droughts, sea level rise, and mental health crises
Victory restores critical environmental protections while saving Americans billions in energy and health costs by preventing increased air pollution and climate-driven disasters
WE MADE HISTORY IN A YOUTH
CLIMATE CASE
On September 16-17, 2025, five youth plaintiffs testified in Lighthiser v. Trump—the first live testimony in a federal constitutional climate case led by youth. They described heat stroke, extreme weather evacuations, and smoke-related pneumonia, alongside experts, including former White House advisor John Podesta, who warned the administration is "willfully blinding itself to climate science.”
Judge Christensen affirmed climate change is harming these youth now, and Trump's orders are worsening it, creating a "children's health emergency." We're now appealing to the Ninth Circuit, where this testimony could establish sweeping precedent protecting young people's climate rights for generations.
WE BROKE NEW GROUND IN THE UTAH
SUPREME COURT
In March 2025, the Utah Supreme Court became the first high court in the United States to examine a climate-related right to life for children in Natalie v. Utah. The ruling established two precedents: confirming Utah's authority to deny fossil fuel projects based on climate concerns and recognizing that youth can claim that the state's promotion of fossil fuels violates their constitutional rights to life, health, and safety by challenging specific government actions. The Court created a replicable framework validating the judiciary's role in protecting youth from climate harm—reshaping legal expectations nationwide.
WE ARE SHAPING INTERNATIONAL LAW AND REDEFINING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE ERA OF CLIMATE CRISIS
We bring youth voices before courts and human rights bodies across four continents, linking constitutional climate rights in the U.S. to a growing global movement. From the European Court of Human Rights to the Inter-American Commission, we're ensuring climate science and youth experiences shape the future of law.
Filed a "Communication" to the Council of Europe urging implementation of KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland in line with the Court’s holding that Paris Agreement temperature targets fall short of States’ human rights obligations.
February 2025
15 former Juliana plaintiffs filed a historic petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, arguing decades of U.S. energy policies violated fundamental rights.
September 2025
Filed amicus brief with Ecuador's Constitutional Court in Waorani v. Ecuador, arguing oil and gas development on indigenous lands constitutes an internationally wrongful act.
November 2025
Supporting youth at trial in La Rose v. His Majesty the King in Vancouver, Canada.
October 2026
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THE CASE
15 youth plaintiffs (ages 15-23 at filing) challenging federal government's promotion and expansion of fossil fuels
Canada is the 4th largest producer of oil and the 5th largest producer of gas in the world
STATUS
Preparing for trial in October 2026
KEY IMPACTS
Youth will hold Canada accountable for emissions from fossil fuel extraction—in 2022 alone, extracted fuels produced 1.23 billion tons of CO₂ when combusted, more than every country on Earth except China, U.S., India, and Russia
Victory enforces Canada's net-zero by 2050 goal by stopping planned extraction increases that would average 1.18 billion tons annually with no end date
Protection from warming twice the global average (northern Canada 3x faster) that caused the 2021 extreme heatwave reaching 121.3°F—killing hundreds and ruining crops
Prevention of catastrophic wildfires like 2023's record burns—twice any previous year's area, emitting more CO₂ than every country except China, U.S., and India
Western Canada has already lost 23% of glacier mass since 2000; a victory could help prevent the 75% loss projected at current warming levels—securing the water, climate stability, and future that Canada's youth-led movement is fighting for
Protection of youth mental and physical health, traditional practices, and community safety threatened by fires and flooding
WE'RE HEADING TO TRIAL IN CANADA AND MAKING HISTORY
"Climate change doesn't just affect our land—it affects the ways we live, heal, and connect" - Leandrea, Youth Plaintiff, Taku River Tlingit First Nation, Whitehorse, Yukon
La Rose v. His Majesty the King's 8-week trial begins October 26, 2026, in Vancouver, BC. Fifteen young Canadians argue that Canada's fossil fuel activities and longstanding failure to meet their own emission reduction targets violates their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and security in a groundbreaking constitutional climate lawsuit against the federal government.
Leandrea shares how disrupted seasons prevent traditional land-based practices, wildfires fill the air with toxic smoke and forced evacuations, and rapidly changing land threatens intergenerational knowledge transfer. "The land is our biggest educator. Taking care of the land is essential to our cultural survival."
WE TOOK THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR CLIMATE HARM
“This is not neglect—it is deliberate harm." - Levi, Youth Petitioner
After a decade fighting in U.S. courts, 15 former Juliana v. United States plaintiffs filed a climate rights petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in September 2025. The petition alleges the U.S. government has deliberately perpetuated a fossil fuel system for 50+ years while blocking youth access to justice. Petitioners seek urgent precautionary measures and a finding of human rights violations. A favorable ruling would have a powerful influence across the Americas, establishing that when national courts fail to protect children's fundamental rights, international tribunals can hold governments accountable—opening a critical pathway for youth worldwide facing barriers to justice.
WE FOSTER YOUNG ADVOCATES AND AMPLIFY THEIR VOICES
Our youth plaintiffs are movement leaders. Climate litigation gives young people decision-making power they're denied in traditional civic spaces—transforming climate anxiety into healing and leadership. We amplify youth voices to reach millions, turning personal testimony into powerful advocacy that reshapes public understanding of the climate crisis.
27 plaintiffs were highlighted 34+ times through our platforms. Their voices reverberated.
FEATURED YOUTH VOICES:
The Invading Sea (Op-Ed).
“Fighting for Florida’s future: Why youth want an energy transition”
Freedom Forum Video:
“1A in Action: Claire Vlases and Petitioning to Protect the Environment”
Q&A on our BLOG:
Q&A with Olivia, Held v. Montana “Transforming Climate Anxiety Into Creative Action”
MSNBC Interview:
Jen Psaki talks with Ripley, Lighthiser v. Trump “Trump's anti-climate orders draw lawsuit from young activists citing life, liberty”
Newz9 Article:
Spotlight on Avroh, Genesis v. EPA “How a student’s bold environmental lawsuit is shaping the future of climate action”
WE CREATED REAL POWER FOR YOUTH IN HAWAI‘I
“Your voice matters.” – Rylee Brooke, Youth Plaintiff
Our historic settlement created real power for youth by establishing the Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council, giving 20 young people ages 12-24, including plaintiff Rylee Brooke, direct influence over the state's path to zero-emission transportation by 2045. Selected from 83 applications across all islands, Council members provide quarterly guidance on electric vehicle infrastructure, pedestrian safety, and climate policy.
Since January 2025, they've translated our courtroom victory into reality—youth aren't just advocates, they're policymakers practicing aloha ʻāina (love of the land) as they shape Hawaiʻi's sustainable future.
Our programs cultivate future constitutional climate rights attorneys and environmental justice advocates
Through our fellowship program, early-career attorneys receive one- or two-year appointments, with alumni becoming climate law professors, environmental litigators, and permanent team members. Law clerks and interns contribute directly to cases, gaining invaluable experience over the course of a semester or longer.
IN 2025:
3 Law Fellows
9 Law Clerks from 7 law schools
12 Government Affairs Interns
3 Engagement Interns/ Volunteers
WE PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED SUPPORT THAT REFRAMES CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AS THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION
“Activism is my medicine” - Olivia, Youth Plaintiff
Young people face unprecedented climate anxiety: 75% find the future frightening, 45% say it affects daily functioning.* Climate distress stems not just from ecological disaster but from governments' failure to protect them—creating a "moral injury" of institutional betrayal when those in power dismiss young people's legitimate concerns.
Empowering youth to challenge the systems causing their distress becomes a pathway to healing. Our model combines peer support, legal advocacy, and mental health expertise—addressing root causes that traditional therapy alone cannot fix. Youth call it "life-changing" because it restores their voice and connects them to something larger.
192+ hours of trauma-informed support provided to plaintiffs, families, and OUR team by Alvarado Consulting and Treatment Group
WE'RE BUILDING POWER THROUGH COLLABORATION
Recognizing that children's rights and climate justice are fundamentally interconnected, we've built a collaborative network uniting academics, climate scientists, legal professionals, medical experts, and youth advocates to advance children's rights
Alliance Strategy
Broader Influence
& Public Engagement
Professional Networks
& Movement Leaders
Plaintiffs, Families
& Core Partners
38 Attorneys joined us as pro
bono counsel
22 experts provided pro bono testimony and scientific advice to courts
6 amicus briefs were filed on our plaintiffs’ behalf
4 clinics across
4 states strengthened our cases’ strategies
~$3M in pro bono support received from lawyers, experts, and allies to support our youth plaintiffs
Voices from the Historic Lighthiser Hearing
WE MOBILIZED THE WORLD'S LEADING AUTHORITIES TO DEFEND YOUTH RIGHTS
Dr. Steve Running, Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist: "Every additional ton of CO₂ matters."
CLIMATE SCIENCE
EXECUTIVE ORDERS
John Podesta, Former Senior Advisor to the President: "The intent of these orders is clearly to unleash fossil fuels and restrain renewable resources. Greenhouse gas emissions will rise substantially."
Dr. Mark Jacobson, Stanford professor: "Transitioning to 100% clean renewable energy would eliminate almost 100,000 air pollution deaths per year in the U.S."
ENERGY SYSTEMS
Dr. Geoffrey Heal, Columbia University economist: "Burning one ton of coal produces $125 worth of electricity but imposes external costs of at least $500."
ECONOMICS
Dr. Lori Byron, pediatrician: "There's grave risk to youth by unleashing more fossil fuels."
PEDIATRIC MEDICINE
Nicole Hughes, Executive Director of Renewable Northwest: "Since January 20th, 35 renewable energy projects have been canceled, resulting in 16,589 jobs lost and over $22 billion in investment losses."
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Courtroom sketches by Shauna Layton
WE’RE BUILDING A ROBUST PARTNERSHIP ECOSYSTEM
Following the historic Navahine settlement, we held 50 partner meetings over the year, coordinated weekly with the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) and our partners at Earthjustice, and engaged 30+ organizations across state and county government, community groups, and academic institutions. We facilitated coalition participation in Safe Routes to Schools, Drive Electric Hawaii, and Transportation Choices Hui, and helped mobilize public comment from 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, Hawaii Bicycling League, and others on HDOT's Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan.
WE PARTNER WITH DOCTORS TO PROVE CLIMATE HARM VIOLATES CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
"Just as doctors don't wait when a child presents with a rising fever, we cannot delay climate action. Every hour matters for children's lives." - Dr. Lisa Patel, pediatrician
Climate change is the most profound health threat facing children. We collaborate with leading medical experts who provide testimony and file amicus briefs documenting how fossil fuel pollution harms children: air pollution causes asthma, neurodevelopmental delays, and premature death, while climate disasters drive heat-related illness, respiratory distress, and mental health crises. Their testimony proves every ton of climate pollution directly impacts children's health, making the constitutional case clear: government action expanding fossil fuels violates children's fundamental rights.
WE EMPOWER PEOPLE THROUGH STRATEGIC OUTREACH, MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES, AND ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION
Our landmark cases have sparked a global movement, inspiring films, books, and curricula from elementary to law school while connecting civic participation with environmental protection.
IN 2025:
26+ Blog posts
57 Events
7 Awards
WE SPARKED A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHILDREN'S CLIMATE RIGHTS
In July 2025, Senator Merkley and Representatives Schakowsky, Jayapal, and Raskin introduced the Children's Fundamental Rights to Life and a Stable Climate System resolution in response to Lighthiser v. Trump, recognizing children's constitutional rights to life and a livable climate and opposing federal policies that expand fossil fuels.
National youth organizations and interns joined youth plaintiffs to visit 250 congressional offices, garnering 11 Senators and 54 Representatives as cosponsors, with over 100 organizational endorsements. Nearly 100 attendees joined the first-ever Youth Climate Rights Hill Briefing, while 150 supporters and 50 high schoolers rallied at the Capitol.
WE'RE TEACHING HAWAIʻI'S STUDENTS THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE RIGHTS
We're building civics literacy infrastructure to ensure Hawaiʻi's next generation understands their rights and their power. Our pilot lesson plans integrate climate rights into formal education, while professional development workshops feature insights from attorneys and youth plaintiffs. We're working to advance statewide curriculum development, potentially reaching over 165,340 public school students—ensuring they understand the Navahine settlement and their power to hold government accountable.
We submitted over 30 public comments to federal and state agencies on their constitutional obligations to protect children and the scientific evidence showing how proposed rules would impact young people's health and safety. These comments addressed motor vehicle standards, power plant emissions, National Environmental Policy Act revisions, and fossil fuel project permitting.
We launched the Climate Rights Corps, an intergenerational collective of passionate volunteers, to train and empower supporters to engage with the government and participate in advocacy efforts alongside the plaintiffs.
WE SHAPED GOVERNMENT POLICY AND EMPOWERED
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
WE WERE LOUD, MAKING OUR MISSION HEARD
IN 2025, WE HAD:
340+ pieces of unique coverage
in 8 different languages
2500+ reprints amplifying
our reach
97 million+ total online
coverage views
70,000+ unique website visits
14,700+ audience growth across social media platforms (855%+ increase)
2,698,000+ impressions (136%+ increase)
229,000+ likes, comments, shares, saves (196%+ increase)
YOU ARE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
SINCE JANUARY 2025:
4,400+ donors from 48 states & D.C. and 17 countries
276 were monthly supporters with an average $46 donation
Democracy's pulse beats stronger with every youth voice demanding justice—and 2026 will amplify that heartbeat. These are challenging times. Courts dismiss cases. Government actions threaten children's lives. But defense doesn't win. Going on offense does.
Thanks to your support, we're financially healthy, completing our first independent audit with clean results. Every dollar matters as we balance organizational sustainability with maximizing impact for young plaintiffs. As our caseload grows, we need you to stand with us to sustain this momentum and secure their right to a livable future.
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