Supreme Court Ends Juliana Climate Change Case

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from 21 young climate activists in the case Juliana v. United States, effectively ending a decade-long legal battle over the government's role in climate change. The plaintiffs argued that the federal government's energy policies violated their constitutional rights by promoting fossil fuel use, but the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled that such policy decisions belong to the political branches. Despite the dismissal, the case has inspired over 60 similar youth-led climate lawsuits globally, with some successes in countries like Canada and Germany. The impact of the case extends beyond the courtroom, having sparked a global youth-led movement advocating for climate rights. Julia Olson of Our Children's Trust emphasized that the fight for a safe climate continues, and the plaintiffs are exploring international forums for accountability. The U.S. Department of Justice welcomed the conclusion, which it pursued across three presidential administrations.