Dear Editor:
Because of a warming climate, an antarctic ice shelf the size of Rhode Island is set to fall into the sea. We continue to experience record-breaking temperatures. Scientists are concerned about increases of wildfires, drought, flooding, and storms. All of these circumstances are enhanced by climate change. Despite world concerns, our current administration is encouraging use of fossil fuels and cutting back funds for EPA and NOAA. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Environmental Protection Agency Head Scott Pruitt consider climate change a hoax. There is talk of not honoring former President Obama's Clean Power Plan or our commitment to the world wide Paris Climate Agreement although the United States emits more CO2 than any other country per citizen.
A group of 21 children in Oregon, ages 9 to 20, have a lawsuit which could take climate law discussions out of the hands of the administration and put protecting our environment into the hands of the courts. See Juliana vs. United States.
The lawsuit argues that the federal government has violated the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs to a healthy climate system. In November, the case cleared a major hurdle when US. District Judge Ann Aiken denied motions filed by the Obama administration, as well as the fossil fuel industry, to have the lawsuit dismissed, and ordered the suit could proceed to trial. Similar suits have been brought and won in the Netherlands, Austria, Pakistan and South Africa.
Shortly after President Trump's inauguration, the plaintiffs requested all documents relevant to the lawsuit not be destroyed. The government argues the preservation of such documents creates a burden on the government. These documents already exist and preserving them should NOT be a burden.
Regardless of the lawsuit's final outcome, it highlights a different approach to climate issues in the United States.
I was pleased to read The Right To Life march on Washington this year included the right to a healthy environment. Children and their future environment should be the focus of every parent.
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