21 young Americans filed a landmark constitutional climate change lawsuit against the U.S. government in 2015.
Juliana vs. United States - otherwise known as #YOUTHvGOV
“Exercising my ‘reasoned judgment,’ I have no doubt that the right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society.”
The plaintiffs in the Juliana case are represented by the legal non-profit organization Our Children’s Trust, which was founded in 2010 by Julia Olson to represent youth in climate litigations. OCT also has active state legal actions around the country, and are supporting more than 20 international cases of youth bringing constitutional cases against their governments.
Current Status:
As of March 2022, the attorneys and youth plaintiffs are awaiting a ruling on their request to amend their 2015 complaint. An oral argument hearing took place in June 2021.
Original case filing (2015)