On February 9, 2022, 13 youth from across Virginia filed their constitutional climate lawsuit, Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia. The youth argue that the Commonwealth’s historic and ongoing permitting of fossil fuels is causing and contributing to the climate crisis, and violating the young plaintiffs’ constitutional rights. The youth plaintiffs assert that Virginia has violated its public trust duty to protect elements of the public domain, including atmosphere, required to preserve constitutional rights. They also assert that the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to rely primarily on fossil fuels as its main energy source and is thereby exacerbating climate change by polluting the atmosphere with excessive greenhouse gas emissions.

A hearing in this case is now scheduled for Friday, September 16 at the Richmond City Circuit Court at 11:00 AM Eastern.

Save the date to fill the courtroom at 11:00 AM Eastern + join a post-hearing press conference in Richmond (or watch the livestream of the press conference online) at 1:00 PM Eastern to support these young climate leaders!

What Can I Do To Support the Young Virginians in Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia?

Here are FOUR easy, impactful actions you can take to support the Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia youth plaintiffs.

Attend the Hearing in Richmond on Friday, September 16th!
Attend the in-person hearing in Richmond at 11:00am ET on September 16th where attorneys from Our Children’s Trust and local counsel will argue before Honorable Clarence N. Jenkins Jr. that the constitutional claims of these young climate leaders should proceed to trial:

What: Oral Arguments in Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia

When: Friday, September 16th at 11:00am EDT

Where: Richmond City Circuit Court, 400 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA

Please note that seating at the courthouse is very limited so plan to arrive at Richmond City Circuit Court before the hearing begins at 11:00am EDT to secure a seat. Please also note that no electronics, including cell phones and laptops, are allowed in the courtroom and all attendees must adhere to court rules and regulations, e.g. no talking, signs, or other disruptions. 

Join Us After the Hearing for an In-Person Press Conference!
After the hearing, meet us to stand in solidarity with these brave young Virginians!

What: Climate Justice in Virginia: Stand with Virginia Plaintiffs! Press Conference

When: Friday, September 16th at 1:00pm EDT

Where: Outside Richmond City Circuit Court, 400 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA - AND - Online HERE!

You’ll hear from some of the youth plaintiffs who filed this lawsuit and their attorneys as they talk about the hearing and why this climate action in our courts is critical to securing a Court declaration that Defendants’ continued permitting of unnecessary fossil fuel infrastructure violates the youth's constitutional rights. 

Spread the Word about the Hearing on September 16!
Help us spread the word so that as many Virginians as possible can attend the in-person hearing, and post-hearing press conference, in Richmond on September 16. 

Please use this social media toolkit to spread awareness about the upcoming hearing as well as the post-hearing event. We also invite you to email your community of supporters to inform them about the hearing and encourage them to fill the courtroom (and join us in-person or online for the post-hearing press conference)!

Sign a Wall of Support!
Lastly, a quick action that you can take today to stand in solidarity with these courageous young climate leaders is to sign an online wall of support. Let’s show these young Virginians that people across the state, and around the world, support their fight for climate justice in the Commonwealth of Virginia!

Thank you for supporting Virginia youth fighting to protect their rights!