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:
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JANUARY
We filed a petition for rulemaking 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 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.
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FEBRUARY
The 16 youth plaintiffs in the constitutional climate case Held v. State of Montana 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!
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, 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.
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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. 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.
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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!
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.
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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
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10 of the 13 youth plaintiffs in Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia
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Double Your Support Now!
Thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor, Our Children’s Trust will match all donations 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 today.
- Help create long-term sustainability by joining us as a monthly donor.
- 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 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!)
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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 and join our accelerating quest for climate justice!
In solidarity and with gratitude,
The Team at Our Children’s Trust
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