Energy
Trump Lawyers Say Environmentalists Can’t Use Children As Props In Climate Change Court Case
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The Trump administration is attempting to convince a federal district court to throw out a case blaming the federal government for climate change, arguing the plaintiffs lack standing, The Washington Examiner reported.
On behalf of 21 children and young adults, the environmental group Our Children’s Trust sued the U.S. government in 2015. The suit claimed the government had failed to secure the plaintiffs’ constitutional right to a stable climate and protect the public trust. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the plaintiffs’ suit and standing earlier this year on March 7.
The Trump administration continued to push its case late Tuesday night, filing a motion with the U.S. District Court of Oregon to dismiss the case because of a lack of standing, or the ability of the plaintiff to show clearly that they have been harmed by another’s actions. Standing also refers to whether the court has proper jurisdiction to make a ruling in the case.
The administration’s motion came paired with another requesting summary judgement in the case. A summary judgement from a judge is often requested in cases of petty crime and civil suits with small amounts at stake.
Judge Ann Aiken, who is presiding over the case, is not likely to accept either of the motions. Aiken denied similar motions in November 2016 and granted the children and young adults standing, which was upheld by the Ninth Circuit.
“But as we have talked about in this case before, we are not delaying the trial at this point,” Aiken told the parties present as the motions were filed, according to The Washington Examiner. “We are moving forward.”
The lawsuit has attracted large donors from left-wing groups and charities. The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and Rockefeller Brothers Fund, among others, are underwriting the court fight and supporting the young people’s push “to ensure that atmospheric CO2 is no more concentrated than 350 [parts per million] by 2100 … to stabilize the climate system,” according to court documents.
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