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Dear Friends of Our Children’s Trust,

This year, to honor Earth Week, we’re taking stock of where we have already made significant progress in 2022. Less than four months into the year, with your invaluable support, we’ve secured critical legal victories and launched several new legal challenges to protect our children's right to a safe climate.

As we have been saying these past few months, the climate crisis is accelerating - but so are we.
The 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana, on whose behalf we are rapidly preparing for trial!
2022 (So far!)
As we approach the 52nd celebration of Earth Day, let’s take a moment together to reflect on the accelerated progress we’ve made in this first quarter of the year:
JANUARY
We filed a petition for rulemaking ([link removed]) with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), on behalf of 200+ youth to establish a goal to generate 100% of Florida’s electricity from renewable energy by 2050. On Thursday, April 21st, Commissioner Nikki Fried and FDACS will hold a press conference along with two of the youth petitioners at 10:30am EDT at the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science in Miami to announce a proposed rule that sets goals to increase the use of renewable energy in the state of Florida.

In another powerful dissent ([link removed]) secured during a very close 3-2 split ruling, Alaska Supreme Court Justices Peter J. Maassen and Susan M. Carney wrote the law “...requires that we explicitly recognize a constitutional right to a livable climate — arguably the bare minimum when it comes to the inherent human rights to which the Alaska Constitution is dedicated.” While the majority ruled to deny the 16 Sagoonick v. State of Alaska youth plaintiffs their right to bring their constitutional case to open court, these dissents and the close split of the ruling are further evidence that the tides are turning in our courtrooms as more and more judges and justices embrace their responsibility to protect children’s right to a safe climate.
FEBRUARY
The 16 youth plaintiffs in the constitutional climate case Held v. State of Montana ([link removed]) announced trial dates for their case, making their constitutional climate lawsuit the first children’s climate trial in U.S. history! Trial will commence on February 6, 2023 at the First Judicial District Court in Helena, Montana. Check out our countdown to trial here ([link removed]) !

We filed a new constitutional climate lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Virginia on behalf of 13 young people from across the state. In Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia ([link removed]) , the youth plaintiffs assert that their state government is actively contributing to the climate crisis by permitting fossil fuel infrastructure including the production, transport, and burning of fossil fuels, thus violating the youths’ public trust and state constitutional rights of life, liberty, and property.
MARCH
Another new case! Our Children’s Trust filed a new constitutional climate lawsuit on behalf of seven young people in Utah: Natalie R. v. State of Utah ([link removed]) . The youth plaintiffs assert that the State of Utah is actively causing and contributing to the climate crisis and Utah’s dangerous air quality by maximizing, promoting, and systematically authorizing the development of fossil fuels in Utah.
ONGOING...
Our communications team has secured excellent coverage of recent court decisions, newly filed cases, and other developments in our youth-led climate litigation. Check out articles and segments from reporters at NBC News, The Hill, Reuters, The Guardian, and other global, national, state, and local media - including some terrific interviews with youth plaintiffs - here ([link removed]) !

Our Children’s Trust also continues to have substantial global influence, supporting active climate cases and legal actions in Canada, India, Mexico, Pakistan and Uganda and inspiring headline-making cases around the world.
Every Week is Earth Week - And Every Contribution is Crucial.
None of the historic advances we’ve already secured this year, or the crucial steps we will be taking on behalf of our youth clients in the weeks and months ahead, would be possible without the loyal and generous support of our donors. We are only able to accomplish all that we have - and all that is still to come - with you on our team!

Here are some of the critical ways your donations help us support and represent these amazing young people, all at no cost to our young clients or their families:
* Expert legal representation
* A team of climate, health, economics, and energy experts to testify on their behalf
* Media training plus securing and amplifying press and public opportunities to raise their voice
* Trainings, guidance, and support from trauma professionals to assist them on their journey
* Moments to come together in and as a community to strengthen their resilience for this struggle for justice
* The ability to attend court hearings, trial, and other key moments in their cases
* The opportunity to stand up and make an incredible, lasting change in righting long-standing climate wrongs for their generation and those to follow
* The power to change the course of history

10 of the 13 youth plaintiffs in Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia
Double Your Support Now!
Thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor, Our Children’s Trust will match all donations ([link removed]) received between today and May 31st, up to $25,000. As we approach Earth Day 2022, we invite you to support our youth plaintiffs in one or more of the following ways:
* Renew your support or make a first-time donation online ([link removed]) today.
* Help create long-term sustainability by joining us as a monthly donor ([link removed]) .
* Make a special tribute donation in honor of a friend or family member in honor of Earth Day.
* Contact us to talk about supporting Our Children’s Trust through your estate plan.
* Stay informed by subscribing ([link removed]) to our newsletter. We’ll let you know about future opportunities to take action!
* Spread the word about the global release of the feature-length documentary about Juliana v. United States - "YOUTH V GOV" - which will be available for streaming worldwide on April 29th (watch for more details on this exciting moment coming soon!)

DONATE TODAY AND YOUR GIFT WILL BE DOUBLED! ([link removed])
Gifts of any amount are immediately put to work. Recurring donations are critical contributions that, combined with the gifts of fellow global citizens, become a force multiplier for collectively taking immediate, effective climate action. And every dollar we receive goes toward providing our young plaintiffs with the very best legal representation, as well as amplifying their stories in the media and educating the public, reporters, and even the judiciary on the rights of children to a safe climate.

Please donate today ([link removed]) and join our accelerating quest for climate justice!

In solidarity and with gratitude,

The Team at Our Children’s Trust

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OCT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN # 27-3094382
P.O. Box 5181 Eugene, OR 97405

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