SECURING CHILDREN’S FUNDAMENTAL CLIMATE RIGHTS
We’re powering young people asserting their climate rights in courts around the world. When we succeed, we will have reclaimed children’s rights to life, safety, and prosperity—rights that cannot be understood without a safe, and livable climate.
THE FUTURE OF 2 BILLION CHILDREN IS
THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.
We exclusively represent children — free of charge — to protect their right to a stable climate.
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We know the scientific prescription for a safe climate: return atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations to below 350 parts per million by 2100. Scientists rang the alarm, but governments have affirmatively promoted fossil fuels. To stop global heating, we bring scientists to court to show how, when, and why the fossil fuel era must end. Establishing the constitutional standard to a safe and stable climate for children and future generations sets the bar for government conduct. We seek legally binding judicial declarations that end new fossil fuel infrastructure and extraction, phase out fossil fuels no later than 2050, and restore the Earth’s energy balance.
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Children are living through unprecedented wildfires, smoke, heat, storms, drought, and floods, and they know what needs to be done. Those in power need to listen to young people’s simple and serious demands. Trust science. Act now. Their health and their future depend on it. As advocates, our job is to make sure children’s voices are heard in courts of law, telling judges the stories of their burning lungs, lost homes, their hope, and their fear. It’s our job to obtain enforceable remedies against governments that are harming children and generations to come the politically silent majority. Constitutional impact litigation is the most important tool to secure durable climate justice.
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We launched a global era of climate impact litigation to hold governments accountable for perpetuating the climate crisis. Emboldened and empowered by our inclusive, proactive approach, young people took to the courts, organized in the streets, and demanded that governments listen. Today, we partner with youth, lawyers, organizations, and the people to mobilize and realize the full power of our democracy. The world’s courts the third branch of government hold the power to enforce the right to life for all of our children. We train the next generation of legal minds to think big, advance the law, and boldly protect our democracy.
YOUTH-POWERED LITIGATION
FUND THE FUTURE. DONATE TODAY.
Our Children’s Trust empowers young people asserting their climate rights to transform the entire energy paradigm from one that prioritizes profits to one that centers their lives and fundamental rights.
We are community powered. Your donations fund:
Strategy and communications training for youth advocates
Partnership building across communities, sectors, and geographies
Winning legal strategies and comprehensive representation to youth plaintiffs at zero cost.
And trauma-informed care to support their leadership.
Together, we can secure the climate rights that protect children today, and for generations to come.
In the News
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Our Children's Trust has filed the only legal challenge to President Trump's executive orders that fast-track fossil fuel development, block clean energy, gut environmental protections, and suppress federal climate science.Learn about this critical case, hear from expert speakers, and discover how this lawsuit fits into our larger strategic vision for protecting children's constitutional rights to a livable climate and future.
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Join Our Children’s Trust in Washington D.C. for a powerful youth-led climate event as young leaders and members of Congress stand together to introduce the Children’s Fundamental Rights to Life and a Stable Climate System resolution, a congressional resolution supporting the new constitutional case Lighthiser v. Trump. Hear from youth plaintiffs, Our Children’s Trust attorneys, lawmakers, and youth climate leaders.
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A federal judge has set a 2-day evidentiary hearing in Lighthiser v. Trump in Missoula, Montana September 16-17, 2025 at 9am. This will be the first time youth plaintiffs, experts, government witnesses, and attorneys will present live testimony and argument in a federal courtroom challenging President Trump’s unconstitutional executive orders that fast-track fossil fuels and escalate the climate crisis.
This is a major milestone—not just in this case, but in the climate rights movement. For 15 years, youth have persevered side by side with Our Children’s Trust to bring their evidence into federal court, showing how their government is harming them and worsening the climate crisis. This September, they finally will.
Come back here for more details on how you can attend, support from afar, mobilize locally, and help us pack the courtroom in Missoula, MT!
AWARDS
The League of American Bicyclists honors the 13 youth plaintiffs in Navahine v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation with the Emerging Leader of the Year Award for demonstrating exceptional and inspiring bicycle advocacy.
Montana Audobon honors the 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana with the Conservationist of the Year Award for their historic, winning, youth-led constitutional climate lawsuit.
EarthDay.org honors the 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana with the Youth Climate Leadership Award for their victory in Helena, Montana on August 14, 2023.
The Independent names Julia Olson one of the world’s foremost environmentalists on its Climate 100 List 2024 for founding Our Children’s Trust and reaching a historic climate victory in Held v. State of Montana.
