Climate Changed
Ambitious Climate Suit Pitting Teens Against Trump Faces Test
- Group of 21 kids and Justice Department to argue sides Monday
- 3-judge appeals panel to decide if case goes to jury trial
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When a group of 21 kids sued the federal government a couple of years ago for failing to protect the country’s air, land and water, it didn’t seem likely to get very far.
The case has survived several challenges and in a hearing Monday in San Francisco the group of youths -- now almost all teens -- and the Justice Department argued over whether Americans can claim damaging environmental policy as a violation of their constitutional rights to due process and equal protection. A ruling by a three-judge panel to let the case move toward trial would be the first of its kind by an appeals court and almost certainly be reviewed by the Supreme Court.