THIS GIVING SEASON, CELEBRATE
OUR CHILDREN AND TRUST DEMOCRACY.
Our Children’s Trust is celebrating our first major climate litigation victory in the United States, and you’re invited to join us in supporting the first of many wins. Your gift can honor the 16 Montana youth plaintiffs who stood up for their constitutional rights. You can power forward to Hawai’i where 14 youth will stand up for their rights. Together we can build the resources needed to bring waves of state cases across the country, and power litigation that honors science and human rights around the globe.
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
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 OF AMERICA
Holding that courts have the duty to hear and decide constitutional controversies, plaintiffs’ motion to amend their complaint is granted, allowing the case to go to trial after eight years of unprecedented delay. Next, Judge Aiken will rule on recent motions filed by both sides.
IN THE NEWS
OCT 05, 2023 | Partnership
Open Global Rights
Our Children’s Trust partners with Open Global Rights in a series exploring how heating up to, and remaining at, the Paris target of 1.5°C violates the most basic of human rights, leaving billions in the crosshairs of climate disaster.
NOV 20, 2023 | News Coverage
The Christian Science Monitor
Cover story on Held v. State of Montana and its influence on cases around the globe.
NOV 2, 2023 | News Coverage
Bloomberg Law
From the first U.S. decision to declare a stable climate as an affirmative right to Navahine v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation scheduled to go to trial in June 2024 in the environmental court within Hawai‘i’s First Circuit, Hawai‘i is uniquely fertile ground for environmental legal action.
ACCOLADES
2023 TIME100 Next recognizes Rikki Held as lead plaintiff in Held v. State of Montana for suing the state of Montana for violating its own constitutional guarantee that it would provide citizens “a clean and healthful environment.”
TIME100 Climate recognizes Julia Olson for sparking “a new wave of environmental activism that demands accountability from both public and private sectors in the pursuit of a clean and sustainable environment for future generations.”
Business Insider Climate Action 30 recognizes Held v. State of Montana youth plaintiffs among “30 of the top global leaders working towards climate solutions in 2023.”
EVENTS
Friday, DEC 15
12 NOON PT & 3 PM ET
Our Children’s Trust will host Powering Youth Climate Justice. Join us for an intimate review of 2023, our latest news, and how to power forward together in 2024.
RSVP
Monday, DEC 11
10 AM PT & 1 PM ET
Article3.org will host “Still We Rise” to commemorate a significant milestone for the Human Rights Community: the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The 2-hour main program will be livestreamed to a global audience. Our Children’s Trust is a partner and Julia Olson is speaking on Climate Rights.
NOV 29
Center for American Progress (CAP) and Our Children’s Trust discussed “Victory in Montana! Children, the Constitution, and the Climate Crisis.” Mark Haggerty, CAP Senior Fellow hosted Philip Gregory, Of Counsel, Our Children’s Trust; Eva L., youth plaintiff, Held v. State of Montana; and Isaac V., youth plaintiff, Juliana v. U.S. in an hour-long discussion of the climate crisis and the constitutional rights of youth.