On Thursday, March 12, the National League, represented in this case by Crag Law Center, filed an amicus brief in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case of Juliana v. US.

The case was originally filed in 2015 against the United States and several executive branch officials by 21 youth plaintiffs, represented by nonprofit organization Our Children’s Trust, and climatologist James Hansen, who has been referred to as a “guardian for future generations.” The lawsuit asserts that the government trespasses on the rights of the plaintiffs and of future generations by taking inadequate action to address climate change.

“It is the responsibility of the government to protect all of the people and ensure a safe and healthy world. The youngest among us stand to inherit a planet damaged by our own doing… We stand with the young plaintiffs in demanding our government protect their future. Climate justice cannot wait,” wrote the national League’s president of the board of directors, Chris Carson, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Read the rest of Carson’s statement here on the national website: https://tinyurl.com/ut3ex99

“Social justice depends on a healthy world in which most people see a common goal of freedom from want and fear.  A healthy world requires a stable environment, that changes very slowly if at all,” wrote Eric Arens, who leads our Climate Change Team. Arens explained that the League’s actions reflect its interest in fostering social justice, with climate action a high priority.

To sum up the argument, Arens cited the amicus: “It is the responsibility of the government to protect all of the people and ensure a safe and healthy world. The youngest among us stand to inherit a planet damaged by our own doing.”

Finally, Arens brought his statement back to the Bay Area.“The League of Women Voters Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville did not participate in writing the amicus, but our work on electrification of buildings and transportation is driven by this concern.”

Eric  Arens’ entire statement:

“The members of the League of Women Voters are all interested in fostering social justice.  The League explains the issues and the bills that are introduced by legislatures to the public, and the League works to get people to vote expecting social justice to be a main concern.  Social justice depends on a healthy world in which most people see a common goal of freedom from want and fear. A healthy world requires a stable environment, that changes very slowly if at all.  The atmosphere is an important part of the environment. The League has made global warming a high priority, and it is advocating the government to take action. This whole argument is summed up in the statement in the amicus “It is the responsibility of the government to protect all of the people and ensure a safe and healthy world. The youngest among us stand to inherit a planet damaged by our own doing.

“I hope this little note might convey the attitude of League members.  The League of Women Voters Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville did not participate in writing the amicus, but our work on electrification of buildings and transportation is driven by this concern.”

–Laszlo Zim