Global Climate Change is Here and Now.

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Global Climate Change is Here and Now.
JUSTICES ARE UNANIMOUS. CANADIAN YOUTH CAN POWER FORWARD TO TRIAL.

Following the February 2023 virtual hearing in which attorneys for the youth plaintiffs in the federal climate case La Rose v. His Majesty the King ([link removed]) argued before a panel of three Federal Court of Appeal justices, the justices unanimously ruled in favor of the youth plaintiffs, denying the government’s attempt to prevent their case from proceeding to trial. The plaintiffs will now amend their complaint in accordance with the court’s ruling so the case can move forward to trial.

The justices noted in their decision, “Climate change is having a dramatic, rapidly unfolding effect on all Canadians and on northern and Indigenous communities in particular.” The justices quoted the Supreme Court of Canada, which recognized that climate change has had a ‘particularly serious effect’ on Indigenous peoples and Indigenous territories, ‘threatening the ability of Indigenous communities in Canada to sustain themselves and maintain their traditional ways of life.’

The justices also noted that global change is not a distant problem, but current and consequential now, and that “it is also beyond doubt that the burden of addressing the consequences will disproportionately affect Canadian youth.”

The La Rose case was filed by 15 young people from seven provinces and one territory on October 25, 2019. The youth claim Canada’s federal government is contributing to dangerous climate change. The case argues that the youth are already being harmed by climate change and the federal government is violating their rights to life, liberty, and security for failing to protect public trust resources. The plaintiffs also allege that Canada’s conduct violates their Charter rights, since youth are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change.

"It’s discouraging that our government wasted four years of our time to argue against our right to just go to trial. But I'm grateful the justices had the courage to decide to hear us out, and most importantly recognized that flexibility is necessary when addressing an existential issue with such a broad scope. This is a crucial first step to protecting the rights of youth in the face of the power that fossil fuel interests have in shaping policy in Canada." – Albert L.
Friday, December 15 - Powering Youth Climate Justice: Donor and Community Event

NOON PT | 1pm MT | 2pm CT | 3pm ET | 10am HT | 21pm CET

Please join us to hear this week’s news, this year’s impact, and next year’s plans:

* With seven global legal briefs—including one this week to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights—Kelly Matheson, Deputy Director, Global Climate Litigation will brief us along with Andrea Rodgers, Senior Litigation Attorney, with the breaking news in La Rose.

* With two federal cases—Genesis B. v. United States Environmental Protection Agency filed this week, and Juliana v. U.S.—learn first-hand from Julia Olson, Executive Director & Chief Legal Counsel.
* With four active state cases, Mat dos Santos, General Counsel & Managing Attorney, will provide an update on Held v. State of Montana and a lens into our 50-state strategy.
* Andrea Rodgers and her team are preparing for trial Navahine v. Hawaiʻi DOT. Hear first-hand from Andrea on what to expect.
* And finally, Liz Dickinson, Development Officer, will provide a brief update on where we stand as we enter the final days of our fiscal year and update on our challenge grant!

REGISTER HERE ([link removed])

If you’ve made your year-end gift, thank you.

We are actively working to secure $350,000 by December 31.
POWER THE FUTURE. DONATE TODAY. ([link removed])
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