The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from 21 young people in the landmark climate case, Juliana v. United States. The lawsuit, filed in 2015, claimed that U.S. energy policies violated their constitutional rights by contributing to climate change. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing, leading to the dismissal of the case.
The decision marks the end of a decade-long legal battle but has inspired a broader youth-led movement for climate rights. Julia Olson, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, emphasized that the case’s impact extends beyond its conclusion.
Our Children’s Trust has filed numerous lawsuits against state and federal governments over climate policies. Recent successes include a Montana Supreme Court ruling guaranteeing a right to a stable climate and a settlement in Hawaii to decarbonize its transportation system.
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