Thanks to your support, we’ve had another groundbreaking year. From WINNING climate rights in the Montana Supreme Court to a first-of-its-kind climate settlement in Hawai'i to the first time a U.S. high court explored the right to life of children from climate harms, we made incredible progress towards the universal recognition of children’s climate rights.
Friends, the tide is turning,
momentum is building, youth are winning climate rights in the highest courts of our land! Our Children’s Trust was built for this moment in history. With courageous campaigns, our constitutions, and the courts, we are advancing children’s climate rights and creating the systems change we so urgently need. We have the power—right here, in working hand in hand with young people, and experts, and you.
– Julia Olson, founder, Our Children’s Trust
We believe young people deserve to be happy and safe today and in the future.
Our small but mighty team achieved an outsized impact this year because of powerful support from partners, allies, and advocates like you.
Together, we built youth power and held governments accountable—elevating youth voices, advocating, and using science-based legal strategies in partnership with you to ignite durable, systemic change.
Your support helps us adapt, respond, and persist until we succeed.
Protecting children’s rights to a livable climate secures the foundation for all other rights. When children thrive in a healthy environment, our shared future shines brighter.
ACTIVATING THE COURTS
Your support brings the voices of children into the courtroom, supported by leading experts and the best available science, empowering them to speak truth to power to drive real change.
BUILDING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS
You help us forge and strengthen partnerships with local communities, Indigenous tribes, policymakers, national organizations, and professional associations united to protect children’s well-being and ensure a livable climate.
ENGAGING YOUTH + COMMUNITIES
You empower youth and community-led efforts, elevating the voices of those most impacted, providing resources and access to justice to strengthen our collective movement.
FOSTERING RESILIENCE
You support a first-of-its-kind trauma-informed care program to build resiliency and support for youth working within the legal system with lived climate anxiety and trauma.
THE COURTS
In 2024, we represented 181 children across 15 states and 4 countries, advocating in state, federal, and international courts and judicial bodies. And their growing wins are historic.
Our cases impact 75 million children in the United States and 2 billion worldwide.
Throughout history, children have been at the forefront of civil rights movements, driving change in the courts. Inspired by this legacy, we craft legal strategies to uphold children’s fundamental rights, maximize impact, and secure lasting progress.
Reflection of Brown v. Board of Education anniversary and its impact
we keep fighting because this case
represents not just our voices as plaintiffs but the collective cry of an entire generation demanding accountability on climate change.
- Isaac, plaintiff, Juliana v. United States
we keep fighting because this case
represents not just our voices as plaintiffs but the collective cry of an entire generation demanding accountability on climate change.
- Isaac, plaintiff, Juliana v. United States
Our governments’ choices are fueling a heating planet. Children, without voting or economic power to act, are the most harmed by these decisions beyond their control. The climate crisis is the worldwide children’s rights issue of our lifetimes. Our Children’s Trust is claiming children’s rights to life, safety, opportunity, and prosperity—rights that cannot be protected without a livable climate.
We represent youth plaintiffs at every phase of litigation, free of charge.
THE COURTS: FEDERAL
You empowered young voices to demand their equal constitutional rights to life from those in power.
In the United States, two landmark cases are in federal courts. Over the course of a decade, Juliana has reshaped global perspectives on the government’s role in addressing climate change. Genesis, launched on International Human Rights Day 2023, challenges the prioritization of profit today over a child’s equal right to life tomorrow.
-
For 10 years, the Juliana 21 plaintiffs have fought to access justice and be heard. They are now at the U.S. Supreme Court with a powerful shot at winning back their trial. Though Juliana has faced more opposition in the United States than any case in history where the U.S. government is a defendant, it has inspired winning human rights climate litigation globally, and motivated filmmakers, authors, and educators to create films, publish books, and develop curricula. It is taught in classrooms and law schools around the globe, inspiring young people and tomorrow’s climate rights litigators to understand and embrace their power to create change. Today, we see a global movement of youth-led climate rights litigation.
-
The 18 plaintiffs are all Californians, living in a state with the nation’s largest population and the worst air quality. These children endure more lost school days, more hospital visits, and greater destruction of homes than anywhere else in the country.
Genesis and her co-plaintiffs argue the EPA has discriminated against them as children by discounting the economic value of their lives and futures when it decides whether and how much climate pollution to allow. They argue those policies violate their rights to equal protection of the law as children because they can’t vote and are uniquely vulnerable to life-long physical health burdens. Genesis v. EPA seeks to declare the EPA’s discounting and pollution policies and practices unconstitutional to safeguard the health and future of children.
La Jolla climate activist named one of San Diego County’s 25 most remarkable teens
ENGAGEMENT
You moved in solidarity with youth demanding access to justice in Juliana.
Hundreds gathered at the White House in a rally to #SaveJuliana. Nearly 350,000 people from across the U.S. and around the world signed petitions hosted by Avaaz and Friends of the Earth U.S. and co-delivered by Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org and Third Act, and Jerome Foster II, youngest ever White House Environmental Justice advisor, calling for an end to the U.S. Department of Justice’s opposition to Juliana.
More than 100 organizations signed on to the #SaveJuliana campaign, and 30 members of Congress filed an Amicus asking the court to permit Juliana to proceed to trial. You amplified the voices of our young plaintiffs and demanded action.
March Amicus brief of members of Congress
Juliana plaintiff gives moving speech during D.C. rally urging President Biden to let the youth be heard
Youth Spotlight
You stood with Genesis.
Now the lead plaintiff in Genesis v. EPA, she continues to build upon a lifelong commitment to activism. A passionate climate and animal rights advocate, Genesis adopted a vegan lifestyle at six to reduce her environmental impact and protect farm animals. At ten, she became the youngest TEDx speaker on advocacy. Today she has 67K followers.
Genesis has founded nonprofit organizations, serves on the Environmental Media Association board, and speaks at high-profile events like LA Climate Week and Clinton Global Initiative, inspiring millions through her story.
Genesis took to the federal court with Our Children’s Trust to protect her health, the safety of her younger siblings, and a life-sustaining climate for all living beings.
“As the great great niece of Cesar Chavez, activism has always been an important part of my family. I learned the importance of speaking up for others and fighting for what's right, which is why I fight for young people's rights.”
- Genesis, plaintiff, Genesis v. EPA
YOUR DEDICATION TRANSFORMS ANXIETY INTO HOPE AND ACTION
We prioritize trauma-informed care to reduce distress for children and their families and equip them with effective coping tools. In 2024, in partnership with Alvarado Consulting & Treatment Group, we delivered 345 hours of support to plaintiffs, their families, and our team. Research shows that youth climate anxiety can be lessened when adults demonstrate to children we are tackling climate change for and with them, and we model resiliency and mindfulness.
PARTNERSHIP
In Genesis v. EPA, Dr. Elizabeth Pinsky delivered a powerful declaration on the climate crisis, institutional betrayal, and escalating mental health challenges faced by children. Her report introduces critical scientific evidence and insights into the courtroom, amplifying the Genesis case with undeniable facts.
Dr. Elizabeth Pinksy’s report
You empower us to present the latest science to courts and decision-makers worldwide. By partnering with medical professionals, we shed light on the profound mental and physical health impacts of the climate crisis on children.
Learn about Dr. Lise Van Susteren’s journey as a psychiatrist studying climate anxiety and mental health
Explore how we elevate health science and link medicine to children’s climate rights:
THE COURTS: STATE
You called on more states to protect children’s rights, building on our Montana victory.
Throughout U.S. history, state courts have acted where our federal government would not—building momentum towards national tipping points of change.
In all 50 states, citizens also enjoy rights guaranteed by state constitutions and interpreted by state courts. By advancing cases in states with severe climate impacts and strong constitutional protections, we will continue to achieve groundbreaking success.
Learn more about the power behind a state strategy
THE COURTS: STATE
In a historic ruling the Montana Supreme Court affirmed 6-1 the decision of the district court in the landmark case, Held v. State of Montana, siding with the 16 youth plaintiffs who had sued the state over its promotion of fossil fuel extraction and its failure to consider climate change impacts in its decision-making.
The Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional rights of youth to a safe and livable climate, confirming that the future of our children cannot be sacrificed for fossil fuel interests.
Montana now stands at a crossroads. It can continue to support fossil fuel extraction, transportation, and combustion with all the environmental, human health, and climate risks that entails, or it can rise to the challenge of creating a clean energy future.
We will now shift together to enforcement and implementation campaigns, ensuring that every young person in the state understands their fundamental constitutional rights and power.
This summer, we launched an award-winning Held v. State of Montana website, featuring courtroom videos, expert testimonials, and more to inspire and educate.
Youth Spotlight
You stood with Grace.
When Grace joined Held v. State of Montana at 16, she was halfway through high school in Missoula, where she led Students Against Violating the Environment and guided people along the Clark Fork River.
Today, as a junior at Yale College studying Global Affairs and Energy Systems, Grace has a deeper understanding of balancing the needs of the environment, economy, and the well-being of all Montanans. She uses her platform to advocate for her fellow plaintiffs and youth everywhere fighting for a livable climate.
For Grace, a sixth-generation Montanan, the pursuit of climate justice is deeply personal. Being part of Held has profoundly shaped her life.
“I am very grateful to the Montana Supreme Court for upholding the Constitution in this way, and for its help conserving the incredible state of Montana, that I love and so many Montanans rely upon.”
- Grace, plaintiff, Held v. State of Montana
Being heard and moving forward
in unity with the State to combat climate change is incredibly gratifying, and empowering. This partnership marks a pivotal step towards preserving Hawai'i for future generations—one that will have a ripple effect on the world. I hope our case inspires youth to always use their voices to hold leaders accountable for the future they will inherit.
- Rylee Brooke, plaintiff,
Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation
THE COURTS: STATE
You made history, supporting a groundbreaking historic settlement in a constitutional climate lawsuit by 13 youth, propelling Hawaiʻi to eliminate fossil fuels completely in their transportation system by 2045.
After collaborating with 13 youth plaintiffs, submitting 15 expert and rebuttal reports prepared by 10 pro bono experts, and reviewing 215,800 pages of documents, we reached a successful settlement in Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation just two weeks before trial was set to begin.
We secured Hawaiʻi’s children’s constitutional right to a life-sustaining climate, ensuring it is protected for generations with our partners and co-counsel in Earthjustice’s Mid-Pacific office.
The State of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation committed to achieve a zero emissions transportation system no later than 2045—ground, sea, and interisland air. The court will also oversee the settlement through 2045, and youth will lead from the decision-making table through the Hawaiʻi Youth Transportation Council. We will continue this climate-rights campaign alongside our clients, ensuring the agreement’s enforcement, supporting youth leadership, and advancing initiatives with local community partners like building curricula with the State Department of Education to empower Hawaiian children with knowledge of their rights.
This groundbreaking settlement sets a new precedent for the state and the world.
Youth Spotlight
You stood with Pahonu.
Now one of 13 plaintiffs in Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Pahonu has gained a sense of confidence in sharing his story within his family, communities, and throughout Hawai'i. He is passionate about how we foster a multi-community and multi-generational approach to achieving climate justice.
Pahonu founded Nā Kukui o Waimānalo to inspire Native Hawaiian youth through cultural exploration and education, serves as a grant making intern at Stupski Foundation, and is a motivational speaker at events like 4th Annual Youth Climate Summit in Bermuda.
“A safe and livable climate looks like a place where people of all ages are able to safely interact with our environment, where food is accessible and it’s a livable temperature.”
- Pahonu, plaintiff, Navahine v. Hawai’i Department of Transportation
Even though you are very young
and even though you cannot vote, you can still have a major impact and have a voice.
- Delaney, plaintiff, Reynolds v. Florida Public Service Commission
Even though you are very young
and even though you cannot vote, you can still have a major impact and have a voice.
- Delaney, plaintiff, Reynolds v. Florida Public Service Commission
THE COURTS: STATE
You powered two new cases that build from our previous work in Alaska and Florida on behalf of children living at the forefront of the climate crisis.
-
Our eight young plaintiffs seek to secure their fundamental subsistence and climate rights under Alaska’s Constitution and stop the Alaska LNG Project, a massive, state-led pipeline project that would triple Alaska’s climate pollution for decades.
Courage on the Frontlines: Alaska’s Youth Sue to Stop Climate Crisis
-
Six Floridians from Miami-Dade County launched a constitutional case against the Florida Public Service Commission on the heels of two of the deadliest hurricanes in human history, challenging the decade-long approval of fuel-dependent, long-term energy plans for Florida’s electric utilities.
Young activists take on a government agency in a Florida climate lawsuit
When you have this relationship
to the land, it’s hard seeing the way climate change is affecting it, the harm that’s being done.
- Sariel, plaintiff and member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Held v. State of Montana
PARTNERSHIP
Through partnerships, we ensure our cases reflect the diversity of a state’s children and communities. The climate crisis disproportionately affects children, particularly Indigenous, Black, Brown, and other frontline children facing systemic discrimination. Elevating the voices of those most directly impacted and fostering collaborative efforts is key to creating authentic and equitable solutions.
Indigenous communities are critical allies in addressing the climate crisis. Their voices—as young plaintiffs, experts, and stewards of invaluable knowledge—shape our strategies and strengthen our work. The climate crisis profoundly affects their ways of life, making their perspectives indispensable in the fight for climate justice.
Learn how Indigenous youth are at the center of climate lawsuits
THE COURTS
Did you know?
We listen to youth who reach out to us.
Virginia youth contacted us through a classroom video project, leading to Layla v. Commonwealth of Virginia. Our plaintiffs come from various sources—direct outreach, peer referrals, or connections through organizations. Many are already community leaders, while others are starting their civic journeys, united by an urgent need to address the harms they face.
Layla plaintiffs continue to await their opportunity for justice in the Virginia Supreme Court.
PARTNERSHIP
You bridged the gap between young advocates and seasoned activists, proving that the fight for children’s climate rights thrives through intergenerational collaboration. Elders play a crucial role, inspiring, mentoring, and learning from the next generation while fostering meaningful dialogue. These connections strengthen our efforts and amplify the movement’s impact.
THE COURTS
You reclaimed the right to life for living children. This September, our oral argument before the Utah Supreme Court marked the first time a high court in the United States explored the right to life in the context of climate harms to children.
In Natalie v. State of Utah, we represent seven Utahns seeking a court declaration that their rights under their Constitution have been violated by Utah’s laws that require fossil fuel development and worsens the climate crisis and harms children’s lungs.
We believe that if the right to life truly matters, it must protect living children from the devastating, life-long consequences of climate pollution.
Read Co-Executive Director Mat dos Santos’ reflections on the case and listen to the arguments
PARTNERSHIP
Utah is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes, yet it often experiences some of the worst air quality. To amplify youths’ stories, we partner with scientists and experts to present data that underscores the lived realities of our plaintiffs.
PARTNERSHIP
You dreamed big with us. Together, we ignited systemic change, fostered collaboration and shared learning to advance children’s rights and a livable climate.
Our community—academics, climate scientists, educators, judges, medical practitioners, researchers, families, policymakers, and youth—work together to innovate, share resources, apply the best science, and learn from one another.
Sign up to follow stories of change in 2025.
THE COURTS: GLOBAL
We inspire youth and support attorneys worldwide to advance science-powered legal actions protecting children’s rights to a safe climate.
Through direct representation and advocacy, we bring children’s voices to the global stage.
We serve as expert advisers and youth conveners at high-level global human rights courts, at their invitation, on establishing scientific standards to safeguard children’s rights to a livable future, helping to implement wins in Europe.
STRENGTH OF NUMBERS
ATTORNEYS JOINED US AS PRO BONO COUNSEL
25
Experts provided pro bono testimony and scientific advice to Courts
22
Amicus briefs filed on our plaintiffs’ behalf
19
Pediatric associations representing one million medical professionals in over 120 countries stood behind our testimony to Inter-American Court of Human Rights
18
THE COURTS: GLOBAL
Canada is one of the fastest-warming countries, resulting in extreme weather events such as wildfires, declining sea ice, and thawing permafrost. The 15 plaintiffs in La Rose v. His Majesty the King are enduring severe harms mental and physical health impacts, threats to their homes, damage to community infrastructure, and disruptions to cultural practices and activities vital to their well-being.
Today, they are preparing for an eight-week trial to begin on October 26, 2026.
Alongside youth across the North,
I have witnessed and experienced the forefront of climate change that poses a monumental threat to humanity.
– Kira, plaintiff, La Rose v. His Majesty the King
We have inspired hundreds of rights-based climate cases among the 1,901 cases in the U.S. and 994 cases globally from over 55 countries.
Children and youth have driven a pivotal turn towards a rights-based approach to climate litigation and continue to advance the field of youth-led climate action in courts.
SPOTLIGHT
In 2020, inspired by the Juliana v. United States plaintiffs, Korean youth joined lawyers from Solutions for Our Climate and Seoul National University School of Law to sue their government for violating their constitutional rights to security, liberty, and a healthy environment. In a landmark ruling, Korea's Constitutional Court declared part of the nation’s climate law unconstitutional, marking Asia’s first partial victory in climate litigation.
ENGAGEMENT
You are powering the next generation of children’s rights and climate justice advocates who are preparing to champion a healthier, more just future. We welcomed 3 law fellows, 13 law clerks from 11 law schools, 9 government affairs interns, and 4 communications interns.
We spoke at over 25 events with law students across 12 states and collaborated with law clinics supporting case development:
Berkeley Human Rights Center and UC Berkeley Law
Environmental Law & Policy Clinic, Duke Law School
Environmental Law & Justice Clinic, Georgetown Law
Human Rights Entrepreneurs Clinic, Harvard Law School
Civil Rights Litigation Clinic, UC Irvine School of Law
Environmental Justice Clinic, University of Miami School of Law
Environmental Law & Community Engagement Clinic, University of Virginia School of Law
Environmental Justice Law & Advocacy Clinic, Yale Law School
Additionally, we engaged with children of all ages in classrooms, rallies, and organized events, empowering them with the knowledge and confidence to become agents of change.
Witnessing and participating
in the passion and hard work behind the scenes of the #SaveJuliana DC week, hosted by Our Children’s Trust.
– Isabella, government affairs intern on what keeps her in this fight
ENGAGEMENT
You got loud with us.
Our message resonated far and wide securing over 330 pieces of earned media in more than ten languages, generating 25.3M impressions across national and international outlets. We also launched a blog in April with over 30 stories throughout the year. Through this visibility, we’re amplifying the voices of youth leaders and their pursuit of climate justice.
Staff and plaintiffs presented our work at over 90 events, both virtually and in person, in venues ranging from schools to churches to conference centers. We delivered formal presentations, led workshops, taught classes, engaged in collaborative conversations, and accepted awards.
AWARDS
We received 10 awards that both acknowledge the leadership and impact of the Held plaintiffs and their attorneys and recognize founding members of our leadership.
ENGAGEMENT
As part of our comprehensive support, we prepare youth to testify in court and engage effectively with the public. Through training and platforms to share their stories, we empower them to inspire others and drive change. These skills have a lasting impact, with youth reporting increased confidence in both their professional and personal lives.
SPOTLIGHT
We take this mission global by inspiring the next generation, exemplified by Navahine plaintiff Pahonu, who shared his story with 150 high school students at the 4th Annual Youth Climate Summit in Bermuda.
SPOTLIGHT
Delores Barr Weaver has built an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy in Northeast Florida and extended her visionary generosity to Our Children’s Trust with a transformative $1 million gift to establish a decade-long Legacy Fund. This fund serves as a community-wide fundraising challenge, inspiring generosity and engagement from as many people as possible.
We are profoundly grateful for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to our mission.
Connect with our team to learn how you can help leave a legacy of a better future for our children today.
Our Children’s Trust is dedicated to securing the fundamental right of children to a stable and healthy climate, representing young people in the courts of law and public opinion, using impactful partnerships and the best science available. We are the only organization solely focused on representing children in their climate rights in the world.
We provide legal representation and holistic support to our young clients at no cost and because of the nature of our cases, we have not received any financial compensation from the courts. We are community powered.
Power our mission with a gift
Our donors come from 20 countries and all 50 U.S. states plus two territories. Our network of supporters who receive our emails and spread our mission come from 113 countries across the planet. You are part of an incredible community who believe in children’s rights to health and safety and a life-sustaining climate and want to leave a legacy.
As we face the challenges of 2025, we are grateful to have you with us, advancing our mission to create a brighter future. Together we will light up the dark days.