(Washington) A US federal judge on Wednesday dismissed the complaint from a group of young Americans who claimed that President Donald Trump’s policy in favor of fossil fuels violated their inalienable rights.
In his order, Judge Dana Christensen of Missoula, Montana (northwest), said the case did not fall within his jurisdiction. However, he believes that the plaintiffs have presented “overwhelming” evidence that the decrees issued by Donald Trump’s administration will further disrupt the climate and, ultimately, harm them.
“Given the foregoing, the court regretfully concludes (…) that it cannot grant the plaintiffs the relief they seek,” he wrote.
The 22 plaintiffs, including minors represented by an NGO, asked the courts to suspend three decrees which, according to them, violate their constitutional right to life and liberty, by favoring the development of fossil fuels and thwarting that of renewable energies.
They also accused the government of undermining climate science and public information.
The administration demanded a dismissal, denouncing through lawyer Michael Sawyer an “undemocratic legal action”. He accused the young plaintiffs of trying to reverse the results of the last presidential election, after which Donald Trump was elected with a program openly favorable to fossil fuels.
This legal battle illustrates the growing movement of the climate fight to the courts, often at the initiative of young people. This summer, students from the Vanuatu archipelago obtained a resounding victory before the International Court of Justice, the highest court of the UN.
