I’m afraid and angry, says eco-warrior

BONN: The 18-year-old granddaughter of a veteran climate scientist is so angry at the environmental legacy that adults are leaving her generation that she is taking the US government to court.

Sophie Kivlehan, with a group of 20 other people aged 10 to 21, alleges the government, through its actions that drive climate change, has violated their constitutional rights to life, liberty and property.

“I am afraid and I am angry at the problems that greedy and foolish adults have created,” said Kivlehan, speaking on the sidelines of UN climate talks.

“Adults, you say you love us, but I challenge you to make your actions reflect your words… without consideration for profit, instead caring about what is most important – the lives of your children,” said Kivlehan, the granddaughter of longtime US climate scientist James Hansen.

The youth filed their lawsuit, called Juliana v US, in US District Court in Oregon in 2015.

They allege the government had known for more than 50 years that the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels was destabilising the climate.

The trial is set to begin on February 5 next year after judges rejected attempts by representatives of the fossil fuel industry and US administration to have the case dismissed. Kivlehan hopes the court will force the government to develop and carry out a plan to reduce fossil fuel emissions.

But with climate impacts, from worsening hurricanes to droughts, surging around the world, “will it be too late?” she asked.

Worldwide, there are a growing number of lawsuits against governments over their failure to act swiftly to curb climate change.

Two environmental groups last year filed a lawsuit accusing Norway of breaching the constitutional right to a healthy, safe environment – and violating its pledges under the Paris climate agreement – by letting energy firms search for oil and gas in the Arctic Barents Sea.

Friends of the Irish Environment, a network of citizens committed to protecting Ireland’s environment, launched a legal challenge alleging the Irish government has failed to take enough action to avert dangerous climate change.

And about 900 Dutch citizens have filed a case against the Dutch government.

Hansen, a former Nasa scientist who has helped raise global awareness of the need to act on climate change, said he hopes more young people will start legal proceedings in their countries too.

Meanwhile, he’s hoping for success in his granddaughter Kivlehan’s case.

“If this trial succeeds, it’ll send a powerful message to other nations,” he said.