Youth in the climate movement are often asked: “What keeps you going in this fight?” My new answer is witnessing and participating in the passion and hard work behind the scenes of the #SaveJuliana DC week, hosted by Our Children’s Trust.

In the landmark Held v. State of Montana decision last year, a trial court found in favor of 16 children and young adults who sued the state for its role in contributing to climate change. As two of the 21 youth plaintiffs in another Constitutional climate case, Juliana v. United States, we believe this groundbreaking decision can light a path toward comprehensive climate action at the federal level.

On April 21, 2024, youth plaintiffs in Juliana v. U.S., Genesis v. EPA, Held v. State of Montana and Layla v. Commonwealth of Virginia led a powerful rally for youth-led climate rights at the White House in Washington DC. The “My Voice. My Rights. Our Future.” rally to #SaveJuliana follows nearly nine years and 22 attempts through three presidential administrations to kill the only case in the U.S. targeting the federal government for its actions that not only exacerbate the climate crisis and disproportionately harm our youngest generation, but also violate their fundamental rights to life, liberty, and property.