Welcome back to Movement Mondays in which we discuss all things climate! This will be a quick post with a call to action as I’m finishing up what I hope is the final round of revisions on my middle grade novel (so that it may go out on submission YAY) before tomorrow morning’s major dental procedure that will put me out of commission for a bit (not so YAY 😦 ).

Today’s post revisits Juliana v United States which, as I wrote about just over a year ago, is the youth-led climate lawsuit charging that the federal government’s actions which knowingly cause climate change are in violation of our constitutional rights. I often write about frontline communities (those facing the worst effects of climate change) and want to highlight my belief that every single young person belongs to a frontline community, in that the climate crisis was not of their making but they will bear the consequences of their elders’ actions. As someone in my third act on this planet, I feel deeply for the young people who are facing an unlivable planet. This knowledge keeps me awake at night and it’s imperative to step up in support of their future. My ask is to personalize the linked email template that will then be delivered to the Biden administration and Department of Justice (DOJ).

Photo by Robin Erino/pexels.com

The info below comes from an email from People Vs Fossil Fuels coalition:

In 2015, 21 young Americans filed a constitutional climate lawsuit against the U.S: Juliana v. United States. In the nearly nine years since the case was filed, the DOJ has made twenty-two attempts to kill Juliana and silence the Juliana youth. No other case in history has faced this kind of government persecution.

NOW, the Juliana youth have to fight to be heard once more and it’s on all of us to rally around them.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Just weeks ago, the Juliana 21 were headed to trial. But now, the DOJ is abusing emergency government powers to rip the case out of the normal legal process. Out of 40,000+ cases in front of the DOJ, these extreme legal tactics are only being used against ONE case: Juliana. The DOJ will try anything to stop America’s youth from protecting all of our futures.

If the DOJ succeeds, the Juliana youth won’t be heard in open court. If we succeed, the Juliana 21 will go to trial and they will win—and force the United States, the BIGGEST contributor to climate change in the world, to make systemic change and phase out fossil fuels. President Biden and the DOJ have a matter of weeks to pull back their attack.

You can help us—your voice is needed NOW.

Tell the Biden Administration and the DOJ: We demand the Juliana 21 be heard at trial. The People vs. Fossil Fuels coalition, in coordination with Our Children’s Trust, is once again joining the Juliana youth by hosting an action to directly email them.

If you’ve read this far, thank you! I appreciate your engagement and support for the young people. Solidarity! ✊🏽