Hello, it’s another Monday which means a Movement Monday post! Thank you for being here for discussions about climate and the frontline communities facing the worst of the climate crisis. This giant blue ball is home to ALL of us and we need to keep showing up in order to ensure the planet remains livable.

The Juliana 21 (image from Our Children’s Trust)

Today is a time-sensitive ask (a quick personal letter) as we revisit the children’s climate case: Juliana v United States. Here’s the background info from my January 30, 2023, post:

In 2015, 21 young Americans filed a landmark constitutional climate lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, against the U.S. government. Their complaint asserts that the government’s affirmative actions, like fossil fuel energy policies, knowingly cause and worsen the climate crisis. The youth claim that this violates the youngest generation’s constitutional rights to life, liberty, property, and equal protection of the law, as well as fails to protect essential public trust resources.

These 21 young people are seeking a judicial declaration that the U.S. fossil fuel energy system is unconstitutional and violates their fundamental right to a safe climate. A victory in their case would mean that all current and future U.S. climate and energy policy – whether executive or legislative in nature, and regardless of political majority or party – would need to adhere to the court’s declaratory judgment, protecting the rights of our nation’s children to a safe climate.

Despite President Biden’s promises to listen to youth and address the climate crisis, his Department of Justice is still actively opposing the Juliana case, denying their rights and seeking to prevent the young plaintiffs from presenting evidence to a judge in open court of how their own government is causing them harm.
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You may recall that exactly three weeks ago, I asked you to take action on this very case. The good news is that 35,000+ letters were sent demanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) stop their stalling tactics and allow the case to go to trial AND that 75 organizations joined the efforts to #SaveJuliana. The bad news is that the DOJ asked for a stay (their 22nd attempt to shut down this case!) Good news? The U.S. Court of appeals denied the stay! BUT on February 29, the DOJ said we have 21 days to make the case for why Juliana should go to trial. That’s where we come in.

PLEASE, take two minutes to personalize the letter template to send a message to the Biden administration and the DOJ demanding that the young people are heard in court! 

Maybe you have children or grandchildren or are a teacher or librarian who works with young people, and maybe you want to include concern for them in your letter. Maybe you want to mention that if Biden wants to be known as the “climate president,” he should allow this case to go to trial. Maybe you want to mention droughts, floods, hurricanes, or winter tornadoes you’ve suffered due to the climate crisis. Whatever your approach, let’s stand up for the young who did not create this climate catastrophe but who are already facing the consequences of their elders’ inaction. Let’s give them a brighter future!

Also? If you could forward the info to two friends or family members and ask them to send letters today, we will grow our impact. For those on Facebook, Twitter/X, or Instagram, here’s a toolkit with graphics and messaging to help spread the word.

Thank you for reading and engaging on this issue. Solidarity! ✊🏽