OCTOBER 2024
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the vibrant cultures and profound contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities that enrich our world. This celebration reminds us of the resilience and strength found within these communities, especially as we unite in the urgent fight against the climate crisis—a challenge that intersects with social justice and disproportionately impacts marginalized groups.
In this edition of our newsletter, we’re excited to share inspiring stories from both our youth plaintiffs and dedicated staff members. Their voices highlight not only the individual journeys of those advocating for climate justice but also the collective power of our movement. From passionate youth leading the charge to our committed team working tirelessly behind the scenes, we are reminded that change is possible when we join together.
This month, learn about the people, the progress, and the history-making protection of children’s rights to a safe climate, powered by Our Children’s Trust.
YOUTH-POWERED FUTURE
Guided by Heritage, Fueled by Justice
Rooted in the strength of her Indigenous and Hispanic heritage, Taleah is one of the youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana. Learn about the impact her heritage has had on her climate work and the inspiring message she has for young people in Hispanic communities ready to take climate action.
A Juliana Plaintiff’s Journey to Climate Justice
Sahara has been fighting for climate justice as a youth plaintiff in Juliana v. United States for almost a decade. Learn why they got involved in America’s Climate Case and how they still maintain hope after all these years.
PEOPLE-POWERED JUSTICE
Meet Aly!
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are excited to highlight Aly Bonilla, Executive Legal Assistant at Our Children’s Trust. A proud Honduran raised in Norwalk, Connecticut, Aly joined our team earlier this year, bringing her passion and dedication to advancing our mission to protect children’s rights to a safe climate. Read more to learn how her identity as a proud Latina influenced her passion for climate justice.
SCIENCE-POWERED EVIDENCE
Governments Are Perpetuating Climate, Health, and Nature Inequalities Hispanic Communities Face in the U.S.
There are nearly 9 million children living in America, and in 2022, the majority (41%) were Hispanic children under the age of 18 living in poverty—environments often neglected, industrialized, and riddled with pollution. For many Hispanics and Latinos, this is a reality shaped by deep-rooted social, economic, and environmental inequities, resulting from a discriminatory system that confines marginalized groups to segregated, toxic spaces.
Our Social Media & Online Content Coordinator, Eillin Delapaz, delves into how these environments can take a profound toll on the mental and physical well-being of those from Hispanic communities.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
It was a busy and exciting month at Our Children’s Trust! Read about some of our case updates and events below.
Julia Olson, Co-Executive Director & Chief Legal Counsel at Our Children’s Trust spoke at The New York Times Climate Forward event and shared how youth are taking legal action to secure recognition of their fundamental rights amid the climate crisis. Watch her full speech here.
Attorneys for the California children in the equal protection climate case, Genesis v. EPA, presented oral arguments in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Read our press statement to learn more.
After a nearly ten-year battle to get to trial, the Juliana 21 filed a petition in the United States Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse an egregious error by a three-judge panel in the Ninth Circuit. Learn more about their fight for climate justice here.
New research published this month in The Lancet Planetary Health, decisively concludes that aiming for and maintaining the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C temperature target is patently unjust. This extensive research, conducted by a team of 65 scientists across 20 countries and hosted by the Earth Commission, presents evidence that this level of heating fails to protect human well-being now and in the future. Learn more here.
IN THE NEWS
Hot off the Press: Check out some of the key coverage of Our Children’s Trust this past month.