The 13 youth plaintiffs filed their constitutional climate case, Aji. P. v. State of Washington.

Attorneys for the State of Washington moved to dismiss the case.

The youth plaintiffs filed their response brief to the motion to dismiss.

Amicus briefs were also filed in support of the plaintiffs by a coalition of environmental organizations, leaders in the faith community, and the League of Women’s Voters.

King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott granted the State of Washington’s motion to dismiss the case, telling the youth to be optimistic and engage in the political process to protect their rights.

Attorneys for the youth plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal with the Washington Court of Appeals.

The youth plaintiffs filed their opening brief.

Attorneys for the State of Washington filed their response brief.

The Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, the League of Women’s Voters, faith-based individuals and organizations, environmental groups, medical professionals, Washington businesses, and a small coalition of Indian tribes (Swinomish Indian Community, Suquamish Indian Tribe and Quinault Indian Nation) filed several amicus briefs in support of the youth plaintiffs.

Attorneys presented oral arguments before a panel of three judges in the Washington State Court of Appeals. The youth plaintiffs were represented by Our Children’s Trust Senior Litigation Attorney, Andrea Rodgers, in a courtroom that was closed to the public due to COVID-19. A recording of the oral arguments can be watched here.

In spite of acknowledging that “the right to a stable environment should be fundamental” in their decision, the court ultimately denied the youth plaintiffs their day in court, upholding the August 14, 2018 decision granting the defendant’s motion to dismiss.

Attorneys for the youth plaintiffs filed a petition for review with the Washington State Supreme Court to get their constitutional climate change case heard in court.

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the Fred. T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality, the League of Women Voters, the Center for Environmental Law and Policy, and Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide are among entities that filed “friend of the court” briefs with the Washington Supreme Court in support of the youth plaintiffs.

In an unjust decision, with a powerful dissent from Chief Justice Steven C. González and Justice G. Helen Whitener, the Washington Supreme Court refused to review the Court of Appeals decision denying the youth their day in court.

The youth plaintiffs and their attorneys are currently assessing next steps in their effort to secure climate justice.