From the towering mountains of Canada to the sun-soaked beaches of Florida, young people are rising. Across continents, they are refusing to accept government actions and policies that fuel the climate crisis while undermining their constitutional rights. These young voices are more than advocates—they are the pulse of democracy itself, demanding urgent change while inspiring the rest of us to act.
Youth aren’t just tomorrow’s leaders—they are democracy’s heartbeat today. Their courage in courtrooms, on the streets, and in community halls reminds us that democracy thrives when young people refuse to accept a broken system. And as 2025 draws to a close, one truth is clear: when we stand with youth, their voices are unstoppable.
A Historic Year of Youth Leadership and Legal Wins
This past year, youth plaintiffs made history on an unprecedented scale. Over 180 young leaders across 15 U.S. states and four countries testified in court, won landmark victories, and advanced meaningful climate action that could impact 2 billion children worldwide. Among these milestones was the first-ever federal evidentiary hearing in a youth constitutional climate case, a moment that has redefined the legal landscape and reaffirmed that governments have a constitutional duty to protect future generations.
These young advocates face disproportionate burdens from the climate crisis, yet they bring something irreplaceable to the fight: moral clarity, courage, and hope. With the support of allies, these voices now echo from mountains to courtrooms, reminding us that safeguarding democracy is not only possible—it is already happening.
At Sustainable Action Now, we are honored to share the 2025 Impact Report, documenting the victories, programs, and partnerships that are empowering youth leaders and turning courage into courtroom progress.
Transformative Courtroom Moments
In September 2025, five young plaintiffs testified in Lighthiser v. Trump, the first federal evidentiary hearing in a youth-led constitutional climate case. Their stories illustrated the urgent stakes of the climate crisis:
- Joseph, diagnosed with asthma at age three due to proximity to California fossil fuel wells, continues to suffer lung spasms from wildfire smoke. Federal executive orders challenged in the case forced him to abandon his environmental policy studies after critical funding evaporated.
- Former White House advisor John Podesta testified that the administration was “willfully blinding itself to climate science,” emphasizing the systemic neglect of young people’s health and futures.
Although the judge “reluctantly” dismissed the case, he affirmed that presidential policies contribute to a children’s health emergency, paving the way for an appeal to the Ninth Circuit. This ongoing legal action could become the most significant constitutional climate appeal in U.S. history, underscoring the power of youth voices to demand accountability and systemic change.
As Joseph reminds us:
“Youth aren’t just tomorrow’s leaders—they’re democracy’s heartbeat today.”
Youth Leadership Beyond the Courtroom
The fight for climate justice extends far beyond litigation. In 2025, youth councils and advocacy groups advanced climate policy across the globe:
- In Hawaiʻi, youth councils are driving local environmental initiatives.
- The Montana victory continues to be enforced, ensuring protections for children’s health.
- New litigation initiatives are advancing in Wisconsin and Florida, targeting policies that endanger young people.
- The Juliana petition at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights continues to hold governments accountable on an international stage.
- A landmark youth climate trial is scheduled for October 2026 in Vancouver, Canada, signaling global momentum in youth-led climate advocacy.
These efforts demonstrate that true change is collective, cross-generational, and unstoppable. By connecting young leaders with legal expertise, trauma-informed support, and advocacy training, we are transforming climate anxiety into leadership, empowerment, and systemic impact.
Turning Hope into Action
Challenges remain. Courts may dismiss cases, government actions may threaten children’s lives, and setbacks can be disheartening. Yet history shows that defense alone does not win—offense does. Youth advocates, supported by allies, are stepping up to fill the fissures in democracy with transformative justice.
From courtroom testimonies to town hall meetings, from grassroots campaigns to international litigation, youth are safeguarding democracy. Each action, each voice, each victory contributes to a system that prioritizes children’s health, climate resilience, and constitutional rights for future generations.
Delaney Reynolds, a youth plaintiff, reflects:
“When we work together across generations, the movement becomes not just louder, but deeper and stronger. That is how we win.”
Your support fuels this movement. Every contribution funds legal expertise, youth leadership development, and platforms where young voices have real power. Together, we transform hope into action, advocacy into victory, and climate anxiety into leadership that can change the course of history.
Looking Ahead: The Future is Youth-Driven
2025 proved that democracy thrives where youth champion it. From landmark court cases to grassroots activism, their courage and vision are shaping the laws, policies, and cultural expectations of tomorrow—today. As we look toward 2026 and beyond, one principle remains at the heart of Sustainable Action Now: youth leadership is not optional—it is essential.
Join us in standing with young people. From global litigation to local councils, from advocacy training to mental health support, your involvement ensures that youth voices remain at the center of the fight for climate justice and democratic integrity. Explore how you can take action and support the next generation at Sustainable Action Now’s youth programs.
The movement is growing, the victories are real, and the message is clear: youth are democracy’s heartbeat, and together, we will protect it.
