sagoonick v.
state of alaska

Our Children’s Trust has been supporting young people in Alaska since 2011, most recently in the youth-led climate case Sagoonick v. State of Alaska.

Originally filed in August 2017, Sagoonick v. State of Alaska, brought by 16 young Alaska Natives and Alaskans against the State of Alaska, Governor Dunleavy, and five state agencies, argued that Alaska’s fossil fuel energy policy, and the State-authorized fossil fuel development and ensuing greenhouse gas emissions that result, have caused and contributed to Alaska’s climate crisis, placing youth plaintiffs in danger and harming their health, safety, homes, culture, and Native villages in violation of Alaska’s Constitution.

The youth plaintiffs were represented by Andrew Welle, Esq. with Our Children’s Trust and Brad De Noble, Esq.

Current Status:
On February 25, 2022, the Alaska Supreme Court denied the youth plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing. 

In 2023, young people in Alaska, supported by leading climate scientists and Our Children’s Trust attorneys, will be filing a new lawsuit against the State of Alaska for its actions that worsen Alaska’s climate crisis in violation of youth’s constitutional rights.

Learn more here!