Supreme Court Rejects Youth Climate Change Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a petition from 21 young activists seeking to revive the landmark climate change lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, which argued that federal energy policies violate their constitutional rights. This decision concludes nearly a decade of legal battles aimed at holding the government accountable for its role in climate change through fossil fuel subsidies. The court upheld a lower ruling that the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue, stating that these issues should be addressed by legislative bodies rather than the judiciary. Despite this setback, the case has inspired a broader youth-led movement advocating for climate rights, leading to similar lawsuits across various states. Notably, the Montana Supreme Court recognized a constitutional right to a stable climate, and Hawaii has initiated a pioneering settlement to decarbonize its transportation system by 2045. Advocates remain hopeful that the impact of their fight will continue to reverberate beyond this specific case.