WILPF US Joins Amicus Brief for Landmark Youth Climate Justice Lawsuit

Photo Credit: Robin Loznak / Our Children's Trust. Used with permission

By Nancy Price
Earth Democracy

The catastrophic and unprecedented heat wave in Europe in late June is leading climate scientists to stress that we are, as they say, at the beginning of a “new normal”—by which they mean a phase of extreme weather events and different climate conditions and challenges. But as some of these scientists also stress, we don’t really know what the characteristics of this “new normal” will be, how people and the planet will or can adapt, and what will mark the end of this phase or what the following phase will bring

This is why Earth Democracy and WILPF US have agreed to join the Amicus Brief for Our Children’s Trust’s landmark youth climate justice lawsuit. Juliana v United States aims to secure the legal right to a safe climate and a healthy atmosphere for present and future generations, and their constitutional right to life, liberty, and property.

For some years, I have followed Our Children's Trust. Just recently, Randa Solick, Earth Democracy’s co-leader, suggested we learn about signing on to the Amicus Brief in support of their landmark Juliana v United States lawsuit. So, in early May, I called Julia Olson, Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel of Our Children’s Trust, and Corinne Fletcher, assisting with outreach, immediately returned my call.

Corinne was thrilled to know that Earth Democracy and WILPF US might consider signing on to this Amicus Brief if, and when, it goes before the Supreme Court. While one brief will certainly focus on the environment and climate that we could sign on to, Corinne mentioned they may write another brief on the impact of climate on women and seek signatures from national and international women’s groups.

There is, however, one hurdle to jump before this case can go to the Supreme Court. On June 4, in Portland, Oregon, the Ninth Circuit Court heard arguments from both sides and will rule on two issues: Is the case constitutional, and, if so, should the case be heard by the Supreme Court? We should know some time in the late fall how the Court rules and then there are 90 days to prepare and submit briefs with signatures. Additionally, there is the question of whether the plaintiff’s injunction will be upheld that all new fossil fuel expansion operations in the US will stop until the end of the Supreme Court decision.

In an earlier trial, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken said: "Exercising my ‘reasoned judgment,’ I have no doubt that the right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society.”

Here’s more:

Meet the 21 youth plaintiffs who are determined to assert their rights;

Watch these short films about the case;

Read an outline of the history of the Juliana v. United States Youth Climate Lawsuit; and

Learn about the growing YouCAN youth-led campaign that advocates for legally-binding, science-based climate recovery community ordinances, and join or start a YouCAN Chapter in your own community. In these chapters, youth advocate for local climate recovery ordinances for lasting legal protection for the atmosphere, oceans, and the Earth’s natural resources in the form of binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and climate recovery planning in line with the best available science. Youth participate directly in local government decision-making and petition City Councils for adoption of locally-tailored climate recovery laws, testify in public meetings of the City Council, and advocate at work sessions with local government leaders.

YouCAN youth first successfully worked with the Eugene City Council in 2014 to pass the first ever climate recovery ordinance in the U.S. that incorporates a scientific prescription for viable climate recovery. Youth participate directly in local government decision-making and petition City Councils for adoption of locally-tailored climate recovery laws, testify in public meetings of the City Council, and advocate at work sessions with local government leaders.

Every community is unique; no two YouCAN campaigns will be the same. But all YouCAN chapters have the same goal: to protect the fundamental rights of youth and future generations to a stable climate and healthy atmosphere.

Additionally…

Sign up for updates to hear about upcoming actions and opportunities to get involved.

Let your young children, grandchildren and friends know about Earth Guardians, an organization of young leaders who are fighting for our future worldwide, and tell them how they can work locally in a YouCAN chapter.

Follow Our Children’s Trust on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Share their posts with your followers. Let’s bring much more attention to this important landmark case through social media!