21 young Americans are suing the United States for denying their right to a safe future by promoting fossil fuel production, even though the government knew for over 50 years that burning such fuels causes climate change, threatening our planet’s livability.
The government and fossil fuel interests asked the courts to dismiss the suit, but on Nov. 10, 2016, US District Judge Ann Aiken ruled the lawsuit may proceed to trial. Judge Aiken wrote: “I have no doubt that the right to a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society.”
We petition President Obama to settle this lawsuit. Commit the US to a detailed climate plan, overseen by the federal judiciary, to restrict greenhouse gasses sufficiently to protect the natural rights of all Americans.