Young Americans Sue Trump For Pushing Fossil Fuels

A new youth climate lawsuit by 22 Americans aged seven to 25 alleges that the Trump administration is engaging in unlawful executive overreach.

This refers to the fact that Trump has been issuing executive orders that intentionally boost the production of fossil fuels while frustrating the growth of renewable energy. In Lighthiser v. Trump, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, the youth plaintiffs say the administration’s actions violate their constitutional rights to life, health and safety and breach congressional mandates to safeguard public health and ecosystems.

Some of the plaintiffs in Lighthiser v. Trump | Our Children's Trust

“Trump’s fossil fuel orders are a death sentence for my generation,” said named plaintiff Eva Lighthiser in a press release from nonprofit public interest law firm Our Children’s Trust, one of plaintiffs’ representatives. “I’m not suing because I want to - I’m suing because I have to. My health, my future, and my right to speak the truth are all on the line. He’s waging war on us with fossil fuels as his weapon, and we’re fighting back with the Constitution.”

By prioritizing gas, oil and coal over renewable and clean energy sources like solar and wind, the 'Unleashing American Energy' order ignored scientific warnings, putting the futures of children at risk.

EcoWatch reports that the plaintiffs are requesting that the court protect youths’ U.S. and state constitutional rights, declare the executive orders unconstitutional and block their implementation.

This is not the first time the court in Montana has been asked to consider such a case. In December 2024, young climate activists in the state celebrated an historic supreme court win after a ruling affirmed their right to a “safe and liveable climate”. The judgement upheld an earlier district court decision, which saw 16 young plaintiffs - aged as young as five - successfully sue the state over its pro-fossil fuel policies. If politicians and governments don't act in a manner that their constituents believe to be appropriate, the law courts have frequently sided with the plaintiffs to stop climate damaging activities and the people's rights. So, these youth activists sued, claiming that the state had breached their “inalienable” right to “a clean and healthful environment.” And won.