Our Hearts Are With Los Angeles
Dear Friends,
The LA fires, stoked by decades of burning fossil fuels and the hottest year on record in human history, are now burning through the hearts and lungs of the Southern California youth we represent and all of the LA children we stand for.
Some of you reading this, too, have lost homes and places you love, been evacuated, or are hosting evacuees. Our hearts are with so many whose eyes tear from smoke and grief.
Our numerous LA colleagues and young clients, dedicated to protecting people and our planet, are hurting. Here are some of the words they’ve shared with us:
While our compassion and solace goes out to everyone being harmed by these fires, and our gratitude is deep for all of the firefighters and first responders, we are pouring our anger into action.
On Friday, we told the federal judge in LA that the Genesis v. EPA plaintiffs deserve no less than the Held v. Montana plaintiffs. We implored the federal court, as the fires burn, to allow the children of LA to be heard on their discrimination claims against EPA, and have the opportunity to present evidence from experts.
When that happened in Helena, Montana, the judge decided that every additional ton of climate pollution is causing children injuries to their constitutionally protected rights.
Here is the hard truth. For decades, EPA has put a lower value on protecting a child’s life when it decides how much pollution to allow. As a result of completely undervaluing the enormous costs of climate change and these disasters, our government allows dangerous amounts of climate pollution. The long-term costs to our children are unfathomable. The immediate financial costs from these LA fires are estimated to be over $200 billion—the costliest in U.S. history.
The federal government has ensured that the United States is the single largest producer of oil and gas in the world. That is not a government that is protecting our children from fire and smoke. It’s a government that’s building the tinderbox and lighting the fire, all while there is not enough water to put the fire out.
As individuals and families, we can donate to local non-profits providing aid to the displaced. We can take in our friends and family who have lost everything. We can help rebuild and donate clothing and food and toys. The medical providers among us can treat the asthma and smoke inhalation. These are all critical acts, essential to our humanity. Helpful resources for folks able to offer support are here, and helpful resources for folks looking for support are here.
And, at Our Children’s Trust, we are going to continue to represent children and young people in court—backed by the best available science and world-renowned experts, to secure their fundamental climate rights and render any action by their own governments that would violate those rights unconstitutional. We are going to end the unconstitutional perpetuation of this completely stoppable crisis.
Meet the California youth we represent in Genesis v. EPA and consider contributing to secure their right to a better future. To prevent the next climate disaster, we must confront its root cause. Today, we care for those most affected; tomorrow, we create lasting change to protect future generations.
For everyone hurting in LA, and everyone touched by this climate disaster, we see, hear, and feel the pain of these deadly and historic fires. We are with you. We won’t stop fighting for your lives and futures. Thank you to everyone near and far who fights with us.
Thank you,
Julia Olson
Founder, Co-Executive Director, and Chief Legal Counsel