EUGENE, Ore. – The U.S. Department of Justice’s request to dismiss a 2015 lawsuit brought by young people in Oregon has been rejected by a judge. The lawsuit alleges that the federal government was aware of the dangers posed by carbon pollution but continued to support the fossil fuel industry through policies and subsidies. U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken stated that the climate crisis poses a threat to our survival and requires urgent action.
The lawsuit, brought by young plaintiffs and represented by the group Our Children’s Trust, argues that the government’s actions have violated their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property. Judge Aiken’s decision acknowledges the frustration felt by young people due to the slow response to the urgent climate emergency.
This is not the first case of its kind. Last year, a Montana judge ruled that the state’s Environmental Policy Act violated the plaintiffs’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. The state’s attorney general has appealed this decision.
Attorney Julia Olson, representing the plaintiffs, expects a trial to take place later this year. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the government’s role in addressing climate change and supporting the fossil fuel industry.
In conclusion, a judge in Oregon has rejected a request by the U.S. Department of Justice to dismiss a lawsuit brought by young people alleging that the government’s support for the fossil fuel industry has violated their constitutional rights. The decision emphasizes the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis.