In the Balance: Bringing Science to Justice with David Faigman

On International Youth Day, August 12, 2015, 21 young people from across the United States filed a constitutional climate change lawsuit against the federal government in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. Together with climate scientist Dr. James Hansen and the youth organization Earth Guardians, these plaintiffs assert that, in causing climate change, the federal government has violated the youngest generation’s constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property, and has failed to protect essential public trust resources.

On November 10, 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken rejected all arguments to dismiss the case, known as Juliana v. United States, and determined that the young plaintiffs’ constitutional and public trust claims could proceed. In a recent development on February 9, 2017, the plaintiffs filed a notice with a federal court in Oregon, naming Donald J. Trump as a defendant in their landmark climate case on pace for trial this fall.

The plaintiffs seek a court order requiring the President to immediately implement a national plan to decrease atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide from over 440 to 350 parts per million (ppm) by the year 2100. What are the grounds for their complaint, and the likelihood of its success?

Meet with Julia Olson, counsel for the plaintiffs, to discuss the details and stunning implications of this historic case.

Speakers: Julia Olson, David Faigman, UC Hastings College of the Law

Part of After Dark