Our Children's Trust

Overview

Our Children's Trust is a U.S.-based nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to securing the rights of young people to a stable and safe climate. Founded in 2010 by attorney Julia Olson, the organization focuses on using the courts to hold governments accountable for their roles in exacerbating climate change.

Mission and Principles

Our Children's Trust aims to protect the Earth's climate system for present and future generations by representing young people in legal efforts to secure their rights to a healthy atmosphere and stable climate. The organization's work is guided by constitutional, public trust, human rights laws, and the best available science. It advocates for legally-binding, science-based climate recovery policies.

History

The concept behind Our Children's Trust was influenced by the work of Mary Christina Wood, who developed the idea of "Atmospheric Trust Litigation," and Antonio Oposa's legal efforts in the Philippines. Since its inception, the organization has supported or represented youth in legal actions in all 50 U.S. states and internationally.

Legal Actions

U.S. Legal Actions

Our Children's Trust has been involved in numerous climate-related lawsuits against state and federal governments. One of its most significant cases is Held v. State of Montana, filed in March 2020 on behalf of 16 youths. The case alleges that Montana's promotion of a fossil fuel-driven energy system violates the constitutional rights of young people to a clean and healthful environment. The trial commenced in June 2023 and resulted in a favorable ruling for the youth plaintiffs in August 2023, with the Montana Supreme Court later upholding this decision in December 2024.

Other notable cases include Navahine F. v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, Natalie R. v. State of Utah, and Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia. The organization continues to support active climate cases and legal actions in several states, including Florida, Hawai‘i, Montana, Utah, and Virginia.

International Efforts

Our Children's Trust also supports youth-led climate litigation globally, partnering with various organizations and legal experts to amplify the voices of young people in courts worldwide.

Funding and Structure

As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, Our Children's Trust relies on donations from individuals for funding. The organization's budget is entirely supported by community contributions, with no funding derived from its legal cases. This model allows for unbiased legal representation of youth plaintiffs at no cost to them.

Impact and Recognition

Our Children's Trust has gained international recognition for its efforts in promoting climate justice and empowering young people to advocate for their rights. Julia Olson, the founder, has been named one of the world's foremost environmentalists by The Independent. The organization's youth plaintiffs have received various awards for their leadership and advocacy, including the Conservationist of the Year Award from Montana Audobon and the Youth Climate Leadership Award from EarthDay.org.

Guiding Objectives

The ultimate goal of Our Children's Trust is to achieve universal recognition of children's climate rights by courts around the world, ensuring that governments are obligated to protect these rights through legally-binding and enforceable policies. The organization aims to end the fossil fuel era, phase out fossil fuels by 2050, and restore the Earth's energy balance to mitigate the impacts of climate change.