Summary: Six young people from Portugal have filed a lawsuit against 32 governments, including EU member states, the UK, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, and Turkey, accusing them of insufficient action on climate change. They argue that the forest fires that have occurred in Portugal since 2017 are a direct result of global warming and that their fundamental human rights are being violated. The case, the first of its kind to be filed at the European Court of Human Rights, could have legally-binding consequences if successful.
Climate change: Six young people take 32 countries to court
Six young people from Portugal have filed a lawsuit against 32 governments, including EU member states, the UK, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, and Turkey, accusing them of insufficient action on climate change. The lawsuit argues that the forest fires that have occurred in Portugal since 2017 are a direct result of global warming. The young people claim that their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, privacy, family life, and freedom from discrimination, are being violated due to governments’ reluctance to fight climate change. The case, filed at the European Court of Human Rights, could have legally-binding consequences for the governments involved.
The Impact of Climate Change on Young People
The young claimants, aged from 11 to 24, have already experienced significant impacts due to climate change. Extreme temperatures in Portugal have forced them to spend more time indoors, limiting their ability to sleep, concentrate, and exercise. Some of them suffer from eco-anxiety, allergies, and respiratory conditions, including asthma. The wildfires in Portugal have also caused fear and trauma among the young people, with one of them still getting scared when she hears helicopters flying overhead, reminding her of the devastating wildfires in 2017.
Seeking Justice and a Green Future
The six young people are not seeking financial compensation in this lawsuit. Instead, they are fighting for a green world without pollution and for a healthy future. They are worried about the state of the place they live in and the impact of climate change on their lives. By taking the governments to court, they aim to hold them accountable for their insufficient action on climate change and to protect their fundamental human rights. This landmark case, the first of its kind at the European Court of Human Rights, could set a precedent and have significant consequences for the governments involved.
