A Word on Utah Supreme Court Hearing from Our Co-Executive Director
By Mat dos Santos
September 6, 2024
Natalie R. v. State of Utah youth plaintiffs. Photo by Robin Loznak
This week made me especially proud to work at Our Children’s Trust. I wanted to quickly share a little bit about how we’re making big moves in unexpected places, including the very conservative state of Utah.
“These young people have come to the courts because Utah’s fossil fuel laws are causing serious harm to their personal health and safety and taking years off their lives.”
That was the opening salvo from Senior Staff Attorney, Andrew Welle, who appeared on behalf of 7 young plaintiffs before Utah’s Supreme Court on Wednesday. Andrew argued that children in Utah have a right to a future—a right to life. Instead of fighting against this right—historically used to strip reproductive rights—our arguments breathe real life and meaning into it. We know that if the right to life is to mean anything, it must protect living children from the devastating, life-long consequences of climate pollution. Andrew’s argument was the first time a high court in the United States explored the right to life in the context of climate harms to children. Ever.
Salt Lake City often has some of the worst air pollution in the U.S.? Why? Because the State of Utah has policies that promote and maximize the extraction of fossil fuels. These laws present an existential threat to the health, lives, and very futures of Utah’s children. That’s why we’ve asked Utah’s courts to strike them down as unconstitutional.
While I can’t predict the outcome of the argument, I was deeply moved by how persuasive Andrew was. That’s a sentiment shared by our whole team, which felt great about how it went. We expect a favorable ruling in the coming months.
Our Children's Trust Attorney Andrew Welle presenting oral arguments before Utah Supreme Court on September 4, 2024. Photo by Robin Loznak
You can watch Andrew’s powerful arguments here (Part 1) and here (Part 2). You can also hear our youth plaintiffs speak after the hearing here. Finally, here’s some good coverage by Fox 13 of the case which includes interviews with the plaintiffs and Andrew, as well as a few bits from the argument inside the Supreme Court.
As always, we are deeply grateful for your continued support. It means that we can give children a voice in courts all over the world.
Thank you!