Ecologue

The case

In 2015, 21 young people filed a constitutional climate lawsuit against the US government in the US District Court for the District of Oregon. Named after one of the young ladies involved, the case is called Juliana v. US; it argues that the government has violated the constitutional rights of young Americans to life, liberty, and property and failed to protect “essential public trust resources.”

The US government and the fossil fuel industry both entered motions to have the case dismissed, but US District Court Judge Ann Aiken denied both motions with the issuance of an opinion and order on November 10, 2016. The defendants requested an interlocutory appeal of the order, but Judge Aiken denied them once again in June 2017.

In June 2017, Judge Coffin released the fossil fuel industry from the case and set the trial date to February 5, 2018. Next, the Trump administration petitioned for a writ of mandamus; this successfully prevented the trial from beginning on schedule on February 5th. However, on March 7, 2018, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Trump administration’s petition for writ of mandamus and on April 12, 2018, Judge Coffin set the trial to begin on October 29, 2018.

The Trump administration continued implementing strategies to avoid trial; they made a motion for judgement on the pleadings and a motion for summary judgement. On July 30, 2018, the Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s motions, so the trial is still set to begin on October 29, 2018!

The Lectures

On Tuesday, October 16th, attorneys Mary Law and Gordon Levitt will speak about Juliana v US at Willamette University. They will give two separate talks, one from 4 to 5PM and one from 6 to 7PM:

• 4-5PM Lecture: This lecture is intended for undergraduates and  and will focus primarily on youth involvement in the lawsuit and how other youth can provide support. Where: Putnam University Center Alumni Lounge (UC 3rd floor).
• 6-7PM Lecture: This lecture is intended for the legal community and other community members and will focus primarily on atmospheric trust litigation, the case itself, and how to support. Where: College of Law’s Spooner Classroom (Law 218).
• Contact: jabraham@willamette.edu

“Home.” YouthvGov, www.youthvgov.org/.