Young climate activists in court aim to stop Trump's pro-fossil fuel executive orders

"At a time when we need to reduce fossil fuel reliance, the federal government is actively setting us back with these executive orders designed to unleash fossil fuels, Georgi Fischer, a plaintiff in the case, told the Guardian. It's incredibly important for us to fight back against these unconstitutional attacks on our rights to life and liberty. The Guardian has contacted the White House for comment, as well as the six agencies named as defendants."

"The hearing, which follows the filing of litigation in May, will mark the first time a federal court hears live testimony in a youth-led constitutional climate case. The lawsuit specifically targets executive orders declaring a national energy emergency and aiming to unleash American energy, and another April order aimed at reinvigorating the domestic production of coal the most polluting and costliest fossil fuel."

"The litigation was filed by non-profit law firm Our Children's Trust, which in 2023 notched a landmark win in the lawsuit Held v Montana, when a judge ruled that Montana's pro-fossil fuel policies violated a group of youth plaintiffs' rights under the state's constitution. Some plaintiffs in the new federal litigation, including Fischer, were also challengers in the Montana case."

Youth activists aged seven to 25 will seek a federal injunction in a two-day Missoula hearing to block three executive orders intended to expand fossil fuel production. The suit targets orders declaring a national energy emergency, aiming to unleash American energy, and an April order to reinvigorate domestic coal production. Plaintiffs argue the orders constitute unlawful executive overreach and violate the state-created danger doctrine. The hearing will include live testimony in the first federal youth-led constitutional climate case. The litigation was filed by Our Children's Trust, which previously won Held v Montana. The White House and six agencies were contacted for comment; the Department of the Interior declined to comment.

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