- 21 youth plaintiffs aged 8–29 pursued constitutional climate rights for 10+ years
- Case dismissed as Supreme Court avoids federal climate policy oversight
- Inspired 60+ global youth lawsuits and state victories in Montana/Hawaii
- Original plaintiffs now work in environmental law, education, and advocacy
- Nonprofit law firm files new federal action using same legal strategy
For over a decade, a group of young Americans waged an unprecedented legal fight against the U.S. government’s climate policies. The Juliana v. United States case, initially filed in 2015 with plaintiffs as young as eight, argued federal support for fossil fuels violated constitutional rights to life and liberty. Three presidential administrations repeatedly blocked the lawsuit, culminating in the Supreme Court’s final dismissal in 2024.
Legal experts note this case reshaped environmental litigation despite its conclusion. Courts traditionally avoid policy decisions, but Juliana forced judicial recognition of climate harm,said environmental law professor Dr. Elena Torres. The plaintiffs’ nonprofit counsel, Our Children’s Trust, leveraged media attention to amplify youth voices – a strategy now replicated worldwide.
Regional impacts emerged through state constitutions. Montana’s Supreme Court upheld a landmark 2023 ruling requiring climate impact assessments for fossil fuel permits. Hawaii settled a youth-led case by committing to zero-emission public transit by 2045. These victories highlight growing reliance on state environmental protections as federal avenues narrow.
Former plaintiffs remain climate leaders. Kelsey Juliana teaches Oregon elementary students about environmental stewardship, while Alex Loznak practices climate immigration law. Miko Vergun, who fears her ancestral Marshall Islands will drown, recently earned an anthropology degree to preserve Indigenous climate knowledge.
The movement’s legacy includes three critical shifts: states interpreting constitutional environmental rights, courts demanding scientific evidence in energy cases, and Gen Z leveraging lawsuits alongside street protests. Our Children’s Trust continues filing cases in all 50 states, with pending actions targeting Alaska’s Arctic drilling and Florida’s coastal development policies.
