Schakowsky, Jayapal, Merkley Reintroduce Resolution Recognizing Children’s Fundamental Rights and Need for Climate Recovery
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), a Senior Whip and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chair of the Senate Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee and member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, reintroduced concurrent resolutions in the United States House of Representatives and Senate to protect the fundamental rights of the nation’s children given the accelerating human-caused climate crisis.
The Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery resolution recognizes that the current climate crisis disproportionately affects the health, economic opportunity, and fundamental rights of children, and demands that the United States develop a national, science-based, and just climate recovery plan to meet necessary emissions reduction targets. It also recognizes that a climate system capable of sustaining human life is fundamental to a free and ordered society and preserves other fundamental rights, including the rights to life, liberty, property, personal security, and the ability to transmit cultural and religious traditions. The resolution supports the principles underpinning Juliana v. United States, the landmark constitutional climate lawsuit brought by 21 young Americans, including 11 Black, Brown and Indigenous youth, against the executive branch of the federal government for creating a national energy system that causes climate change.
“Nearly eight years ago, 21 young Americans between the ages of 8 and 19 filed a constitutional climate lawsuit asserting their right to a healthy, safe climate. While we have made great strides, there is still work to be done. Just last week, we experienced four of the hottest days ever recorded on earth. Our young people deserve better,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Children's Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery Resolution, which demands a climate recovery plan that will put the U.S. on a path toward reducing global atmospheric carbon dioxide levels necessary to uphold children’s fundamental rights. As leaders of this nation, we must recommit ourselves to protecting everyone, especially our youth, from the existential threat of climate change, and this resolution is a necessary and decisive step toward that end.”
“Young people have the right to be angry with a world that hasn’t protected our planet for their generation and future generations,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “As they fight to protect their constitutional right to climate and environmental justice, I’m proud to stand with them, recognize their rights, and acknowledge the disproportionate impact the effects of climate change have on children. As we witness catastrophic weather events happen more often, some of the hottest days our planet has ever seen, and lives put at stake every day, this resolution and the movement to protect our planet are more important than ever.”
“Every child around the world deserves a healthy and prosperous future, but this reality is threatened by the increase of climate disasters, including catastrophic wildfires, extreme hurricanes, and frequent heat waves and droughts,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “I applaud the young activists in Oregon and elsewhere who are taking matters into their own hands with immediate and decisive steps to stand up for themselves and future generations, address the climate crisis, and tackle environmental injustice.”
The Children’s Fundamental Rights and Climate Recovery resolution has 64 original cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 13 original cosponsors in the Senate.
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