For over a decade, 21 courageous young people have stood at the forefront of a historic legal battle—Juliana v. United States—fighting for the most fundamental of rights: the right to live, breathe, and grow up in a safe, healthy climate. These youth were just children when they first sued the federal government, challenging decades of energy policies that knowingly fueled the climate crisis while violating their constitutional rights.
Many of them were barely tall enough to reach the witness stand. Yet despite years of persistent litigation, appeals, and legal maneuvering, they have never had the chance to testify in court. No trial. No testimony. No justice.
The Unyielding Fight for Climate Justice
These young plaintiffs understood something profound: the law must protect them from government actions that endanger their health and future. Their vision wasn’t just about personal safety—it was about holding the United States accountable for decades of environmental negligence.
For ten years, the federal government has deployed every legal tool to block their path, from stalling tactics to outright attempts to dismiss the case. Yet, their determination has never wavered. Now, fifteen of these youth—young adults who have carried this fight into their late teens—have taken the battle to the international stage.
With support from advocacy organizations, they filed a petition before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, seeking global accountability for the harm inflicted by U.S. climate policies.
The Petition: Holding the U.S. Accountable
The petition asserts that the U.S. government’s longstanding energy policies and actions have caused dangerous levels of pollution, threatening the petitioners’ basic human rights, including the rights to life, health, equality, and justice. Under international law, the U.S. is obligated to protect these rights.
The youth petitioners are asking the Commission to:
- Declare the case admissible and recognize the legitimacy of their claims.
- Commit to a site visit to meet the youth petitioners and hear directly about the harms they have endured.
- Find that the government has violated their basic rights, acknowledging the tangible impacts of climate inaction on children and young adults.
- Recommend strong climate action in line with recent international court decisions, including Advisory Opinions from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice.
This petition represents not just a legal action, but a moral challenge: a demand that the U.S. government take responsibility for protecting the future of its youngest citizens.
A Generation of Courage
Among these plaintiffs is Levi, who at just eight years old first stood up to the most powerful government in the world. Now 18, he carries the weight of that courage, still waiting for the opportunity to share his story in court. Even without a trial, his truth—and the truth of his peers—resounds loud and clear: young people have been forced to grow up in a world of escalating climate risk, while their government has systematically delayed justice.
On the very day the petition was filed with the Inter-American Commission, President Trump was speaking at the United Nations, dismissing climate change as a “hoax” and renewable energy as a “scam.” Yet, as Julia Olson, Chief Legal Counsel at Our Children’s Trust and the Juliana plaintiffs’ long-time attorney, notes:
“Wind and solar power are the solution for a healthier future for these young people. If there’s a scam here, it’s the White House pushing fossil fuels while denying science and endangering the lives of children.”
The Broader Implications
Juliana v. United States is more than a single lawsuit—it is a global call for accountability, highlighting the intersection of human rights, climate science, and legal responsibility. The case underscores the urgent need for nations to act decisively in the face of climate threats, protecting youth and future generations from preventable harm.
This fight is part of a growing movement of youth-led climate advocacy. Across the globe, young people are demanding that governments honor their obligations to human rights, public health, and environmental protection.
For those inspired by the courage and persistence of the Juliana plaintiffs, there are ways to support youth-led climate advocacy and legal action. Sustainable Action Now’s Our Youth initiative provides updates, resources, and avenues to join efforts in empowering young climate leaders.
Looking Ahead
The Juliana plaintiffs’ petition to the Inter-American Commission is a defining moment: a plea for recognition, accountability, and meaningful action. Their fight demonstrates that age does not determine the capacity for courage or moral clarity. Even as bureaucratic and political barriers delay justice, the movement they embody continues to grow stronger, proving that youth voices cannot be silenced.
This is a decade-long testament to resilience, vision, and the unyielding demand for a future where the rights of all children are respected.
