Judge dismisses young activists’ climate lawsuit

A Washington state judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by young activists who argued the state is violating their rights by failing to protect them from climate change.

In his ruling Tuesday, King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott says the issues in the case are political questions that must be addressed by the legislative and executive branches and cannot be resolved by a court.

The activists sued the state, Gov. Jay Inslee and state agencies in February asserting a constitutional right to a healthy environment and a stable climate system. But Scott wrote that there is not such specific right found within the state Constitution.

“It’s important because they are violating our rights to a livable climate,” 16-year-old Aji Piper told MyNorthwest in Dec. 2016.

Among other things, the activists wanted the judge to order the state to submit a climate recovery plan to reduce emissions.

The climate change lawsuit is part of a national effort — in different states — waged by youth, and aided by Our Children’s Trust. The youths are essentially pursuing cases to force the government to more strictly address the looming threat of climate change.

In dismissing their claims, Scott wrote he hoped the plaintiffs won’t be discouraged.

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