Climate
Justice
photo courtesy of Robin Loznak
Demanding Climate Justice
To preserve the prosperity and safety of generations to come, Crag represents Oregon youth challenging the state’s failure to take meaningful action on climate change and supports youth in a parallel federal case. Under the Public Trust Doctrine, certain natural resources are deemed so essential for human life and well-being that our government holds them in trust for all citizens. Atmospheric Trust Litigation began in 2011 as part of an international movement to promote intergenerational justice and mitigate climate change, asserting that the atmosphere is a crucial resource that must be conserved.
We argue that the government has a duty to protect our atmosphere as a public trust resource for the benefit of our children, grandchildren, and future generations.
What We’re Working On
Youth Climate Case Heads to the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court Grants Plaintiffs’ Request to Take Up Youth Climate Lawsuit Against the State Crag and our young clients Kelsey Juliana and Ollie Chernaik are gearing up to go the Oregon Supreme Court. On May 23, 2019, the Oregon Supreme Court granted the youth...
Oregon Youth Climate Case Heats Up
Crag is asking the Oregon Supreme Court to take up the case of Oregon youth who are suing the state government for failing to protect our shared natural resources from the devastating impacts of climate change. Crag has been representing Ollie Chernaik and Kelsey Juliana since the case was filed in 2011.
Federal Youth Climate Case – Juliana v. U.S.
In 2015, 21 youth plaintiffs filed a lawsuit asserting that through the U.S. government’s affirmative actions that cause climate change, it is violating their constitutional rights. We are representing the Oregon & U.S. League of Women Voters of Oregon as friends of the court.
Oregon Youth Climate Case
We are representing two courageous youth from Eugene, Oregon – Ollie Chernaik and Kelsey Juliana – who are both concerned that the State of Oregon is actively contributing to the devastating effects of climate change. These two young people have bravely chosen to stand up for their generation.
Ninth Circuit Rules in Favor of Youth!
Court Rejects Trump’s Attempt to Evade Constitutional Climate Trial Today, Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas, writing for a unanimous three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Trump administration’s “drastic and extraordinary” petition for writ...
Crag Challenges Oil Refinery Expansion in the Salish Sea
The Salish Sea is irreplaceable, so we have to get this right. Tesoro is proposing to transport a massive quantity of petrochemicals through the community, and the environmental study glosses over the risk of a major spill and the impact from greenhouse gases…
Intergenerational Justice and the Role of the Courts
Crag Law Center is representing the League of Women Voters of the United States and League of Women Voters of Oregon as friends of the court in the federal youth climate case Juliana v. United States. On behalf of the Leagues, this Tuesday Crag filed an amicus curiae...
Crag Takes on Role in Federal Youth Climate Case
Youth plaintiff Kelsey Juliana speaks during a press conference on the sidewalk in front of the United States Supreme Court in Washington. The youth with her are part of 21 plaintiffs in a landmark federal lawsuit which accuses the federal government of violating...
Oregon Youth Ask Appellate Court to Protect Our Climate
Back in May 2011, youth from around the world filed lawsuits seeking remedies against state and federal governments for failing to take action to combat the climate crisis. As part of this worldwide movement, Crag has been representing two young women here in Oregon...
Oregon Youth File Appeal in Climate Case
Oregon’s Inability To Pass Comprehensive Climate Law Isn’t Stopping Young People From Standing Up For Their Right To A Healthy Future On behalf of our youth clients Kelsey Juliana and Olivia Chernaik, Crag filed an appeal today of Judge Karsten Rasmussen’s adverse...