A black and white photo of the supreme court

Young plaintiffs in Juliana v. United States lose Supreme Court bid but say they'll continue their pursuit of climate justice

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a landmark climate lawsuit brought by 21 young Americans, ending a decade-long legal effort to hold the federal government accountable for its fossil fuel policies. But the case continues to have impact.

Amy Green reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Juliana v. United States argued that the federal government violated the youth plaintiffs' constitutional rights by supporting a fossil fuel system despite knowing since 1965 it would worsen climate change.
  • Although the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, it has inspired over 60 similar youth-led climate lawsuits globally, including legal victories in Montana and Hawaii.
  • Plaintiffs and their legal team say they remain committed to pursuing justice and continuing youth-led legal activism focused on human rights and environmental protection.

Key quote:

“Juliana has inspired and motivated countless youth-brought climate change cases around the world. It’s really reframed the issue from one of a pollution problem to one of a human rights problem.”

— Andrea Rodgers, senior litigation attorney at Our Children’s Trust

Why this matters:

The Juliana case has become a symbolic touchstone in the fight to reframe climate change not just as a planetary crisis but as a violation of civil rights. Though the Supreme Court recently declined to hear the case, its premise — that children have a constitutional right to a livable climate — has rippled through courts and legal strategies worldwide. Though Juliana’s path through the courts may be over for now, its legacy is fueling a generational push to make governments answerable not just for emissions, but for endangering the conditions of life itself.

Read more: Young climate lawsuit ends after a decade without Supreme Court review

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