Panel of three judges appointed by former President Donald Trump has granted the Biden Justice Department’s request to dismiss the landmark youth climate case known as Juliana v. United States. This decision, reported by ZNetwork on May 3, 2024, marks a significant setback in the ongoing effort to hold the U.S. government accountable for environmental damage and the violation of younger generations’ rights.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel instructed an Oregon district court to dismiss the case on the grounds of lack of standing, siding with the Justice Department’s emergency petition for a writ of mandamus. This decision, described by the DOJ as an “extraordinary remedy,” effectively prevents the youth plaintiffs from having their day in court.
Julia Olson, co-executive director of Our Children’s Trust, expressed disappointment with the Biden administration’s use of emergency measures to thwart the case. She emphasized that the true emergency lies in the climate crisis and criticized the decision as “tragic and unjust.”
The case, initiated in 2015 by 21 young Americans, aimed to hold the federal government accountable for violating their constitutional rights by permitting the extraction of fossil fuels despite the known environmental consequences.
Despite efforts from successive administrations to delay and derail the case, climate impacts have continued to escalate both in the U.S. and globally.
Mat dos Santos, general counsel of Our Children’s Trust, warned that the Biden administration’s stance on the case could alienate young voters. He urged the administration to reconsider its position and prioritize climate justice.
The dismissal of the Juliana v. United States case is viewed as a significant setback for climate justice efforts. It underscores the urgent need for the U.S. government to take decisive action to address the climate crisis for the sake of both the environment and the rights of future generations.
