Youth Climate Change Lawsuit Dismissed in Washington State

A group of young activists filed a lawsuit to force Washington state to reduce greenhouse emissions has been dismissed. King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott sided with the state in the matter, writing that while climate change is a legitimate concern, it should be addressed through legislative action, not via the courts.

From Judge Scott’s ruling:

“The court concludes the issues involved in this case are quintessentially political questions that must be addressed by the legislative and executive branches of government. These issues cannot appropriately be resolved by a court.”

It is uncertain if this ruling will either inform or affect any other federal or state decisions on the matter.

From Inside Climate News:

““The decision in this case was based on the Washington state constitution, with the judge finding that it does not confer a specific right to a stable climate system. Other state courts could reach a different conclusion with respect to their own state constitutions,” explained Romany Webb, a fellow at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.”

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