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Attorneys Ask Full 9th Circuit To Hear Teen Climate Case

Our Children's Trust

Attorneys for 21 young people filed a petition Monday asking a full panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to review their climate change lawsuit. In January, a 3-judge panel dismissed the case. 

The young plaintiffs range in age from 12 to 23. Their federal lawsuit claims climate change is violating their constitutional rights. In their split decision, the 9th circuit panel agreed with the premise of the case but said courts don’t have the power to remedy the situation.  Lead plaintiff Kelsey Juliana of Eugene remained undaunted after the January ruling.

“There’s no grace period with climate change. It’s the most pressing issue. And so we cannot wear out. We cannot wear out our resources, our energy, our hope. This case is not over. If anything it’s poised to win now more than it ever has been before.”

The plaintiffs want the full 11 judges on the 9th circuit to review the case. They’d like it to go to trial in Eugene Federal Court. 

Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.
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