SEPTEMBER 2024
Each month, we invite you to learn about the people, the progress, the precedent, and the history-making protection of children’s right to a safe climate powered by Our Children’s Trust.
Last Wednesday, attorneys representing seven brave youth in Natalie R. v. State of Utah presented oral arguments before the Utah Supreme Court.
Filed in March of 2022, Natalie R. challenges state laws promoting fossil fuel development, which the plaintiffs argue jeopardize their health and violate their constitutional right to life. In November 2022, Judge Robert Faust dismissed the youth plaintiffs' case, preventing them from presenting evidence on how the State's fossil fuel policies harm their health and violate their rights. Undeterred, the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal. In a rare and significant judicial move, the Utah Supreme Court retained the appeal, signaling its recognition of the case’s constitutional importance.
Wednesday’s arguments marked the first time a high court in the United States has explored the right to life in the context of climate harms to children. Ever.
If allowed to proceed to trial, Natalie R. stands poised to set new precedent for energy policy and constitutional rights. The youth plaintiffs remained resolute on Wednesday, underscoring the urgent need for justice and transformative change in Utah’s energy policies.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Supreme Court deliberates on whether to reverse the dismissal and put this case back on the path towards trial where it belongs! We also invite you to read a note from Co-Executive Director Mat dos Santos about the Utah hearing here.
This month, we invite you to 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
Watch as Natalie R. plaintiffs discuss why they’re working to protect their home and why they’re taking the fight for climate justice to the Utah Supreme Court.
DEMOCRACY-POWERED TRUST
Diana is the Latinx Organizer and Director of Organizing for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Diana and SUWA partnered with Our Children’s Trust to help amplify the Natalie R. Utah Supreme Court hearing because, as she says, 'climate action requires a unified and multi-faceted environmental community—everyone has a role!’
SCIENCE-POWERED EVIDENCE
Dive into our latest blog post by our staff scientist Anders to uncover how fossil fuel emissions are turning Utah’s legendary 'greatest snow on Earth' into a disappearing act. Once a winter wonderland fueling both a thriving ski scene and vital water supply, Utah’s snow is now at risk due to devastating droughts and harmful dust from the shrinking Great Salt Lake. This troubling trend is not just a local issue but a warning for all of us about the dangers of fossil fuels. Discover why clean, renewable energy is the key to restoring Utah’s snowy glory and protecting our climate.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
It was a busy and exciting month at Our Children’s Trust! Read about some of our case updates below.
Watch Our Children’s Trust attorney Andrew Welle argue in front of the Utah Supreme Court on why Natalie R. v. State of Utah should be allowed to proceed to trial. Part 1 of the arguments can be watched here and part 2 can be found here. You can also watch the post-argument press conference to hear from the attorneys and plaintiffs fighting for climate justice.
This month, we hosted a webinar for educators to learn more about the historic Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation settlement. Every young person should know their climate rights. Watch the webinar here.
Last week, South Korean youth secured a landmark first step from the nation's Constitutional Court. Read our press statement to learn how the Juliana plaintiffs served as inspiration for the case and our hopes for what this victory could inspire in U.S. courts.
Backed by a Nobel laureate economist, legal scholar, and a sociologist & mental health professional, the Genesis youth plaintiffs filed their opposition to the EPA’s motion to dismiss their case in mid-August. Read our press release and check out the declarations filed by these world-renowned experts here.
A group of leading public trust experts from around the country and Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action—an association of over 450 medical professionals—filed friend of the court briefs, in support of the 12 youth plaintiffs in the constitutional climate lawsuit Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more about the filing here.
IN THE NEWS
Hot off the Press: Check out some of the key coverage of Our Children’s Trust this past month.