By Mario Melgarejo
On December 10, 2023, non-profit law firm Our Children’s Trust filed a lawsuit against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of 18 California children, arguing that the EPA is intentionally contributing to the climate crisis by failing to adequately regulate fossil fuel emissions.
The young plaintiffs cited health issues arising from pollution, natural disasters, and extreme weather events, all symptoms of climate change which has been largely attributed to fossil fuel emissions. Among these plaintiffs was Maya Williams, a former CASM Climate Corps member. Maya has experienced negative l health impacts due to increasingly frequent wildfires in her area. Her grandparents live in Burbank and have had their backyard destroyed from past wildfires. Climate change and the sense that the government isn’t doing anything to stop it makes her anxious about her future. Maya has shown a willingness to confront federal and local environmental issues, including outreach through environmental club Team Marine, this challenge against the EPA, and a recent protest against Hyundai’s use of coal and child labor at the LA auto show.
Our Children’s Trust, the non-profit law firm representing the children in this case, has represented youths in several other climate related cases. All of their cases had failed to go to trial until Held vs Montana, which resulted in a victory for the youth climate activist plaintiffs. A Montana District Court Judge ruled in favor of their position that the state’s continued development of fossil fuels violated a clause in its state constitution that guarantees its citizens the right to a “clean and healthful environment.” Another climate related state Case in Hawaii is expected to go to trial in June 2024. For this case, Genesis B. vs The Environmental Protection Agency, OCT is awaiting a response from the defendants (EPA) in the next couple of weeks, and their hope is that this case will also go to trial.