Dear Friends,
2021 will be the most opportune year in Our Children’s Trust’s decade long effort to secure the legal right to a safe climate system for all present and future generations.
Four years ago, we established in the Federal Court, for the first time in history, that the U.S. Constitution secures the fundamental right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life. For the last four years, we have endured the Trump administration's scorched earth tactics of trying to reverse that historic ruling.
We have persevered, the youth are undaunted, and the Juliana case continues.
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Miko V. and Jayden F., two of the Juliana 21. Photo by Robin Loznak.
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In 2021, we will find ourselves in one of several paths forward with the Juliana case: we may enter into settlement talks with a new set of defendants in the Biden administration; we may argue our case before an 11-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit where a new decision will replace the erroneous January 2020 decision that the courts can do nothing to alleviate the harm caused to the 21 plaintiffs; or we will appeal that Ninth Circuit decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. No matter what, Juliana v. U.S. will move forward, stronger, closer to the result we need.
This is why 2021 will be so important.
2021 will be different than years past because our arguments will be presented to a Biden administration, and Juliana will offer President Biden the opportunity to secure his legacy as “the President who led the world with science-based climate mitigation policy.” All the Biden administration needs to do is allow the youth to present their evidence in open court, precisely what the Trump administration feared so much. Or, the Biden administration could agree through settlement to develop the science-based National Climate Recovery Plan the youth seek in the Juliana case.
We expect the Biden administration at least to allow the wheels of justice to turn as they are intended to turn in Juliana, with the case first going to trial for development of an evidentiary record, before being heard on appeal.
The time is now and we need your help.
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We must enter 2021 with the strength and resources necessary to argue this case powerfully - as well as the many state and global cases where we currently represent and support youth who are suing their governments to protect their constitutional rights - and to bring forth the ever worsening evidence of the impacts of the climate crisis and capitalize strategically on the unique opportunities presented by a Biden administration. Make your donation today and it will be doubled by two Giving Tuesday matching challenges, up to a total of $65,000. Or if you would like to add to the matching challenge with a donation of $500 or more, please send an email to our Deputy Director, Lou Helmuth.
We could not have persevered through four years of the Trump administration’s obfuscation without your past support. And now, with your continuing support, we can and will capitalize on this refreshed opportunity to fight for state, federal, and global governments to recognize the legal right to a safe climate, and to establish science-based Climate Recovery Plans on behalf of all of our children and all future generations.
Thank you!
The Team at Our Children’s Trust
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