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Young Floridians Take Climate Change Lawsuit To Appeals Court

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A group of young plaintiffs say they are not dropping a lawsuit against the state and Gov. Ron DeSantis over climate change. 

The plaintiffs -- who range in age from 12 to 22 -- say they will appeal a judge’s ruling last month denying their request to proceed to trial. The judge reasoned the court was being asked to resolve a political question. 

The lawsuit accuses the state and DeSantis of violating the plaintiffs’ rights to life, liberty and pursuit to happiness through a reliance on an energy system based on fossil fuels. 

The suit argues this reliance allows harm to protected resources. The plaintiffs seek a court-ordered science-based recovery plan. 

The lawsuit is one of several against states nationwide over climate change. The group behind the litigation, Our Children’s Trust, also is pursuing a lawsuit against the federal government. 

DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

 

Amy Green covered the environment for WMFE until 2023. Her work included the 2020 podcast DRAINED.