2024-06-27T13:47:26-04:00 2023-12-31 930991735 EMGE & WHYTE 2505 W 11TH AVE EUGENE OR 974023315 990 2023-01-01 273094382 OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST OURC 5413750158 PO BOX 5181 EUGENE OR 97405 MATHEW DOS SANTOS MANAGING ATTORNEY 5413750158 2024-06-20 true MATHEW DOS SANTOS 999009999 true PAMELA J WHYTE P00240884 5414852100 2024-06-27 2023 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z JULIA A OLSON PO BOX 5181 EUGENE OR 97405 4964407 false X WWW.OURCHILDRENSTRUST.ORG X 2010 OR OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST (OCT) PROTECTS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE AND NATURAL SYSTEMS FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BY ELEVATING THE VOICE OF YOUTH IN LEGAL ACTIONS, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND IN THE MEDIA TO SECURE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO A SAFE CLIMATE SYSTEM. 8 7 38 186 0 2200260 4816766 21719 15064 75498 132577 0 2297477 4964407 0 0 2763099 3631846 0 493590 907301 1645777 3670400 5277623 -1372923 -313216 5496732 5609777 64133 487711 5432599 5122066 X OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST (OCT) PROTECTS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE AND NATURAL SYSTEMS FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BY ELEVATING THE VOICE OF YOUTH IN LEGAL ACTIONS, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND IN THE MEDIA TO SECURE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO A SAFE CLIMATE SYSTEM. false false 4075576 15064 WHO WE ARE. OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST WAS FOUNDED IN 2010 PREMISED ON THE TRUTH THAT OUR COURTS ARE BOTH VITAL TO A VIBRANT DEMOCRACY AND EMPOWERED TO SAVE OUR PLANET FOR OUR CHILDREN'S SAKE. WITHOUT A STABLE CLIMATE SYSTEM THAT IS JUDICIALLY RECOGNIZED AND PROTECTED AS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT, EVERY NATURAL RESOURCE WE RELY UPON TO EXERCISE OUR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS TO HOME, HEALTH, AND LIFE ITSELF IS UNDER THREAT. FOR OVER 50 YEARS, GOVERNMENTS, AND THE SYSTEMS THEY HAVE BUILT, HAVE KNOWINGLY FUELED THE CLIMIATE CRISIS, DESPITE CLEAR SCIENTIFIC WARNINGS TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS AND WITH MAJORITY PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE ACTION. WE KNOW THE SCIENTIFIC PRESCRIPTION FOR A SAFE CLIMATE: RETURN ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS TO BELOW 350 PARTS PER MILLION BY 2100. ESTABLISHING THE CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARD TO A SAFE AND STABLE CLIMATE FOR CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS SETS THE BAR FOR GOVERNMENT CONDUCT. WE SEEK LEGALLY BINDING JUDICIAL DECLARATIONS THAT END NEW FOSSIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXTRACTION, PHASE OUT FOSSIL FUELS NO LATER THAN 2050, AND RESTORE THE EARTH'S ENERGY BALANCE. 2023: A WATERSHED YEAR. IN 2023, OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST HAD A WATERSHED YEAR: WE WON THE FIRST EVER CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE CASE TO GO TO TRIAL IN THE UNITED STATES, HELD V. STATE OF MONTANA. THE WORLD WATCHED AS 12 OF THE 16 YOUTH PLAINTIFFS TESTIFIED HOW THE CLIMATE CRISIS HARMED THEIR HEALTH, LIVELIHOODS, ANCESTRAL AND FAMILY TRADITIONS, AIR, LAND, AND RIVERS ALONGSIDE WORLD RENOWNED EXPERTS IN MEDICINE, CLIMATE SCIENCE, AND ENERGY SYSTEMS. WE BEGAN PREPARATIONS FOR OUR SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE TRIAL, NAVAHINE V. HAWAI'I DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ON BEHALF OF 13 YOUTH PLANTIFFS, SEEKING TO OBTAIN A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND JUDICIAL DECREE MANDATING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION ENERGY SECTOR. WE FILED A TRANSFORMATIVE FEDERAL CASE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SEEKING TO HALT THEIR DISCRIMINATORY DEVALUATION OF CHILDREN'S LIVES THROUGH THEIR DISCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ASKING THE FEDERAL COURTS TO PROPERLY CONSIDER CHILDREN'S EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW: CHILDREN AS CHILDREN, NOT AS MINI-ADULTS. WE POWERED YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACTIC PROCESSES INCLUDING THE ADVANCEMENT OF A NATIONAL CLIMATE RESOLUTION: 97 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND 151 NGOS ENDORSED A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHILDREN'S FUNDAMENTAL CLIMATE RIGHTS AND CLIMATE RECOVERING PLANNING. IN 2023, 186 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED 1,465+ HOURS OF SERVICE VALUED AT 3,474,284 OF IN-KIND LEGAL AND EXPERT SERVICES TO EXPAND THE IMPACT OF STRATEGIC CLIMATE LITIGATION. U.S.STRATEGY. OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST REPRESENTED YOUTH CLIENTS IN CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE LITIGATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE CASES ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF OF OUR LEGAL STRATEGY TO MOVE THE UNITED STATES TOWARD THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF RECOGNIZING FUNDAMENTAL AND EQUAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN TO A SAFE AND LIVABLE FUTURE THROUGH A LIFE-SUSTAINING CLIMATE SYSTEM. OUR CASES ADVANCE SCIENCE-BASED, ENDURING RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN, THE POPULATION MOST VULNERABLE TO THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WE WORK IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SIMULTANEOUSLY, ADVANCING CASES IN JURISDICTIONS WITH THE WORST CLIMATE IMPACTS, THE DEEPEST INVESTMENTS IN CLIMATE POLLUTING INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WITH LAWS THAT PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST TAKES PRIDE STANDING WITH CHILDREN ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE LAW AS WE DEMAND THAT THE JUDICIARY BREATHE LIFE INTO OUR LEGAL SYSTEM AND OUR DEMOCRACY. WE BELIEVE IN OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. 1. BELOW IS A LIST OF ALL ACTIVE LITIGATION AND LEGAL ACTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES: GENESIS B.V.U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, CASE NO. 2:23-CV-10345 WE REPRESENT 18 CHILDREN LIVING IN CALIFORNIA IN THIS LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO LIFE AND EQUAL PROTECTION HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF THE U.S. EPA, WHICH INTENTIONALLY ALLOW LIFE-THREATENING CLIMATE POLLUTION TO BE EMITTED BY THE FOSSIL FUEL SOURCES OF GREENHOUSE GASES IT REGULATES, DESPITE KNOWING THAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS ALREADY DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMS CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE PLAINTIFFS ASSERT THAT THE U.S. EPA HAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST THEM BY DISCOUNTING THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF THEIR LIVES AND FUTURES AS LESS VALUABLE THAN ADULTS WHEN DECIDING CLIMATE POLICY. HELD V. STATE OF MONTANA, LEWIS & CLARK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, CASE NO. CDV-2020-307 WE REPRESENT 16 YOUNG MONTANANS WHO ASSERT THAT, BY SUPPORTING A FOSSIL FUEL-DRIVEN ENERGY SYSTEM, WHICH IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, MONTANA IS VIOLATING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: TO A CLEAN AND HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT; TO SEEK SAFETY, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS; AND TO INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY AND EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW. THE YOUTH PLANTIFFS ALSO ARGUE THAT THE STATE'S FOSSIL FUEL ENERGY SYSTEM IS DEGRADING AND DEPLETING MONTANA'S CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE ATMOSPHERE, RIVERS AND LAKES, AND FISH AND WILDLIFE. ON AUGUST 14, 2023 IN AN HISTORIC FIRST, JUDGE SEELEY RULED WHOLLY IN FAVOR OF THE 16 YOUTH PLAINTIFFS, DECLARING THAT THE STTATE OF MONTANA VIOLATED THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THEIR RIGHTS TO EQUAL PROTECTION, DIGNITY, LIBERTY, HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND PUBLIC TRUST, WHICH ARE ALL PREDICATED ON THEIR RIGHT TO A CLEAN AND HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT. THE COURT INVALIDATED AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ENJOINED MONTANA LAWS THAT PROMOTED FOSSIL FUELS AND REQUIRED TURNING A BLIND EYE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. THE COURT RULED THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS HAD PROVEN THEIR STANDING TO BRING THE CASE BY SHOWING SIGNIFICANT INJURIES, THE GOVERNMENT'S SUBSTANTIAL ROLE IN CAUSING THEM, AND THAT A JUDGEMENT IN THEIR FAVOR WOULD CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT'S CONDUCT. ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, THE STATE FILED ITS APPEAL TO THE MONTANA SUPREME COURT, FOLLOWED BY A REQUEST TO STAY THE RULING ON OCTOBER 16, 2023, WHICH JUDGE SEELEY DENIED ON NOVEMBER 21, 2023. WE ANTICIPATE ARGUING THE CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OF MONTANA IN 2024. JULIANA V. UNITED STATES, DISTRICT OF OREGON, CASE NO. 6:15-CV-01517-AA WE REPRESENT 21 AMERICANS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. IN THIS LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND PROPERTY, AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S PUBLIC TRUST OBLIGATIONS TO PRESERVE NATURAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT THAT KNOWINGLY CONTRIBUTE TO AND EXACERBATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. FOR NINE YEARS, THE U.S.DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) HAS AGGRESSIVELY FILED MOTIONS TO DELAY OR DISMISS THIS LANDMARK CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE CASE. ON DECEMBER 29, 2023, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE ANN AIKEN RULED IN FAVOR OF THE JULIANA 21, PUTTING AN END TO THE DOJ'S MOTIONS TO DISMISS THE CASE, AND ALLOWING THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS TO CONTINUE ON THE PATH TO TRIAL. THE PARTIES WERE SET TO RECEIVE TRIAL DATES FROM JUDGE AIKEN IN 2024. LAYLA H.V. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CASE NO. CL22000632 WE REPRESENT 13 VIRGINIANS IN THIS LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA'S JUS PUBLICUM OBLIGATIONS TO PRESERVE NATURAL RECOURCES HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS OF THE STATE THAT KNOWINGLY CONTRIBUTE TO AND EXACERBATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. THIS CASE ARGUES THAT THE COMMONWEALTH'S HISTORIC AND ONGOING PERMITTING OF FOSSIL FUELS IS CAUSING AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND VIOLATING THE PLAINTIFFS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS ASSERT THAT VIRGINIA HAS VIOLATED ITS PUBLIC TRUST DUTY TO PROTECT ELEMENTS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, INCLUDING THE ATMOSPHERE, REQUIRED TO PRESERVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. THEY ALSO ASSERT THAT THE COMMONWEALTH CONTINUES TO RELY PRIMARILY ON FOSSIL FUELS AS ITS MAIN ENERGY SOURCE AND IS THERBY EXACERBATING CLIMATE CHANGE BY POLLUTING THE ATMOSPHERE WITH EXCESSIVE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. NATALIE R V. STATE OF UTAH, THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, SALT LAKE COUNTY, CASE NO. XXX-XX-XXXX WE REPRESENT 7 UTAHNS IN THIS LAWSUIT SEEKING A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE UTAH CONSTITUTION HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS OF THE UTAH GOVENRMENT THAT KNOWINGLY CONTRIBUTE TO AND EXACERBATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. THE CASE ARGUES THAT, THROUGH ITS STATUTORY POLICY TO MAXIMIZE, PROMOOTE, AND SYSTEMATICALLY AUTHORIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FOSSIL FUELS IN UTAH, THE STATE IS ACTIVELY CAUSING AND CONTRIBUTING TO UTAH'S HAZARDOUS AIR QUALITY AND DANGEROUS CLIMATE CRISIS IMPACTS, HARMING THE YOUNG PLAINTIFFS AND VIOLATING THEIR STATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO LIFE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY. THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS CLAIM THAT THEIR STATE GOVERNMENT HAS LONG KNOWN OF THE DANGERS OF FOSSIL FUELS YET HAS CONTINUED TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS THAT WORSEN AIR P 4075576 true true false true false false false false false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 32 0 38 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 8 7 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false AL AK CA CO DC FL GA HI IL KY MA MD ME MI NV NY OH OK OR RI SC UT VA WA WV X X JENNIFER SALVATORE 5413750158 PO BOX 5181 EUGENE OR 97405 JULIA A OLSON EXECUTIVE DI 43.00 X X 197948 0 16726 MATHEW DOS SANTOS MANAGING ATT 40.00 X 166959 0 16311 KELLY MATHESON DEPUTY DIREC 40.00 X 168703 0 8850 ANDREA RODGERS SENIOR LITI 40.00 X 157000 0 16311 ELIZABETH DICKINSON CHIEF DEVELO 40.00 X 147964 0 9382 ERIN BARNHART CHIEF COMMUN 40.00 X 136404 0 14772 JOHN MACKIN PRESS DIRECT X 110208 0 13911 GEORGIA WEST INTERIM FINA 40.00 X 54178 0 4359 JENNIFER SALVATORE CHIEF FINANC 40.00 X 47204 0 2615 MEGAN ACEVEDO BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 MEGAN GLEASON TREASURER/SE 3.00 X X 0 0 0 DIANE HAZEN PAST PRESIDE 3.00 X X 0 0 0 PATRICK MCGINLEY PRESIDENT 3.00 X X 0 0 0 JIM MILLER BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 LISA PATEL BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 CHRIS WINTER BOARD MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 1186568 103237 7 false true false 4816766 20450 4816766 SPEAKER/PRIZE INCOME 11400 11400 MISCELLANEOUS INCOME 2338 2338 MERCHANDISE SALES 1326 1326 15064 132577 132577 4964407 15064 132577 506300 385831 112525 7944 2581430 1993997 256534 330899 68161 53639 10739 3783 227377 165745 34107 27525 248578 190983 30401 27194 172517 135213 37304 4989 4989 328609 200933 88679 38997 55427 29288 11704 14435 22585 16644 5241 700 58792 58792 390668 390472 196 1430 1430 21564 10844 10720 CASE SUPPORT EXPENSES 225140 225140 CASH TO ACCRUAL BOY 177233 125678 31319 20236 LICENSES, FEES, SUBSCRPT 138431 111796 6758 19877 STAFF SUPPORT/DEVELOPMENT 48392 39373 7215 1804 5277623 4075576 708457 493590 1685666 696381 3798987 3322041 1485950 62606 14298 7149 8579 7149 3500 35650 5496732 5609777 71646 64133 416065 64133 487711 X 5432599 5122066 5432599 5122066 5496732 5609777 -313216 2683 X X false false false X 4064379 3173465 3181674 2200260 4816766 17436544 4064379 3173465 3181674 2200260 4816766 17436544 4458818 12977726 37930 53201 15522 75089 132577 314319 17750863 68132 0.73110 0.77640 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 44960 44960 5232663 5277623 413881 103470 277339 277357 333520 413881 1302097 1953146 49030 55790 40000 44960 189780 69335 69339 83380 103470 325524 488286 14298 7149 7149 7149 PAYROLL LIABILITIES 208779 VACATION PAYABLE 179729 CREDIT CARDS 27557 416065 X X X false false false false false false false false false JULIA A OLSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 197948 6265 10461 214674 MATHEW DOS SANTOS MANAGING ATTORNEY 166959 5850 10461 183270 KELLY MATHESON DEPUTY DIRECTOR 168703 5850 3000 177553 ANDREA RODGERS SENIOR LITIGATION 157000 5850 10461 173311 ELIZABETH DICKINSON CHIEF DEVELOPMENT 147964 9382 157346 ERIN BARNHART CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS 136404 4311 10461 151176 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST (OCT) PROTECTS EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE AND NATURAL SYSTEMS FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BY ELEVATING THE VOICE OF YOUTH IN LEGAL ACTIONS, PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND IN THE MEDIA TO SECURE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO A SAFE CLIMATE SYSTEM. FORM 990, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 6 PRO BONO ATTORNEYS, ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMUNITY, EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A WHO WE ARE. OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST WAS FOUNDED IN 2010 PREMISED ON THE TRUTH THAT OUR COURTS ARE BOTH VITAL TO A VIBRANT DEMOCRACY AND EMPOWERED TO SAVE OUR PLANET FOR OUR CHILDREN'S SAKE. WITHOUT A STABLE CLIMATE SYSTEM THAT IS JUDICIALLY RECOGNIZED AND PROTECTED AS A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT, EVERY NATURAL RESOURCE WE RELY UPON TO EXERCISE OUR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS TO HOME, HEALTH, AND LIFE ITSELF IS UNDER THREAT. FOR OVER 50 YEARS, GOVERNMENTS, AND THE SYSTEMS THEY HAVE BUILT, HAVE KNOWINGLY FUELED THE CLIMIATE CRISIS, DESPITE CLEAR SCIENTIFIC WARNINGS TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS AND WITH MAJORITY PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CLIMATE ACTION. WE KNOW THE SCIENTIFIC PRESCRIPTION FOR A SAFE CLIMATE: RETURN ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS TO BELOW 350 PARTS PER MILLION BY 2100. ESTABLISHING THE CONSTITUTIONAL STANDARD TO A SAFE AND STABLE CLIMATE FOR CHILDREN AND FUTURE GENERATIONS SETS THE BAR FOR GOVERNMENT CONDUCT. WE SEEK LEGALLY BINDING JUDICIAL DECLARATIONS THAT END NEW FOSSIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXTRACTION, PHASE OUT FOSSIL FUELS NO LATER THAN 2050, AND RESTORE THE EARTH'S ENERGY BALANCE. 2023: A WATERSHED YEAR. IN 2023, OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST HAD A WATERSHED YEAR: WE WON THE FIRST EVER CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE CASE TO GO TO TRIAL IN THE UNITED STATES, HELD V. STATE OF MONTANA. THE WORLD WATCHED AS 12 OF THE 16 YOUTH PLAINTIFFS TESTIFIED HOW THE CLIMATE CRISIS HARMED THEIR HEALTH, LIVELIHOODS, ANCESTRAL AND FAMILY TRADITIONS, AIR, LAND, AND RIVERS ALONGSIDE WORLD RENOWNED EXPERTS IN MEDICINE, CLIMATE SCIENCE, AND ENERGY SYSTEMS. WE BEGAN PREPARATIONS FOR OUR SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE TRIAL, NAVAHINE V. HAWAI'I DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ON BEHALF OF 13 YOUTH PLANTIFFS, SEEKING TO OBTAIN A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND JUDICIAL DECREE MANDATING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION REDUCTIONS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION ENERGY SECTOR. WE FILED A TRANSFORMATIVE FEDERAL CASE AGAINST THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SEEKING TO HALT THEIR DISCRIMINATORY DEVALUATION OF CHILDREN'S LIVES THROUGH THEIR DISCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRACTICES, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ASKING THE FEDERAL COURTS TO PROPERLY CONSIDER CHILDREN'S EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW: CHILDREN AS CHILDREN, NOT AS MINI-ADULTS. WE POWERED YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACTIC PROCESSES INCLUDING THE ADVANCEMENT OF A NATIONAL CLIMATE RESOLUTION: 97 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND 151 NGOS ENDORSED A CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHILDREN'S FUNDAMENTAL CLIMATE RIGHTS AND CLIMATE RECOVERING PLANNING. IN 2023, 186 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED 1,465+ HOURS OF SERVICE VALUED AT 3,474,284 OF IN-KIND LEGAL AND EXPERT SERVICES TO EXPAND THE IMPACT OF STRATEGIC CLIMATE LITIGATION. U.S.STRATEGY. OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST REPRESENTED YOUTH CLIENTS IN CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE LITIGATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE CASES ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF OF OUR LEGAL STRATEGY TO MOVE THE UNITED STATES TOWARD THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF RECOGNIZING FUNDAMENTAL AND EQUAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN TO A SAFE AND LIVABLE FUTURE THROUGH A LIFE-SUSTAINING CLIMATE SYSTEM. OUR CASES ADVANCE SCIENCE-BASED, ENDURING RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN, THE POPULATION MOST VULNERABLE TO THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WE WORK IN STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SIMULTANEOUSLY, ADVANCING CASES IN JURISDICTIONS WITH THE WORST CLIMATE IMPACTS, THE DEEPEST INVESTMENTS IN CLIMATE POLLUTING INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WITH LAWS THAT PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. OUR CHILDREN'S TRUST TAKES PRIDE STANDING WITH CHILDREN ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE LAW AS WE DEMAND THAT THE JUDICIARY BREATHE LIFE INTO OUR LEGAL SYSTEM AND OUR DEMOCRACY. WE BELIEVE IN OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. 1. BELOW IS A LIST OF ALL ACTIVE LITIGATION AND LEGAL ACTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES: GENESIS B.V.U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, CASE NO. 2:23-CV-10345 WE REPRESENT 18 CHILDREN LIVING IN CALIFORNIA IN THIS LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO LIFE AND EQUAL PROTECTION HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF THE U.S. EPA, WHICH INTENTIONALLY ALLOW LIFE-THREATENING CLIMATE POLLUTION TO BE EMITTED BY THE FOSSIL FUEL SOURCES OF GREENHOUSE GASES IT REGULATES, DESPITE KNOWING THAT THE CLIMATE CRISIS ALREADY DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMS CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE PLAINTIFFS ASSERT THAT THE U.S. EPA HAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST THEM BY DISCOUNTING THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF THEIR LIVES AND FUTURES AS LESS VALUABLE THAN ADULTS WHEN DECIDING CLIMATE POLICY. HELD V. STATE OF MONTANA, LEWIS & CLARK COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, CASE NO. CDV-2020-307 WE REPRESENT 16 YOUNG MONTANANS WHO ASSERT THAT, BY SUPPORTING A FOSSIL FUEL-DRIVEN ENERGY SYSTEM, WHICH IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, MONTANA IS VIOLATING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: TO A CLEAN AND HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT; TO SEEK SAFETY, HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS; AND TO INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY AND EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAW. THE YOUTH PLANTIFFS ALSO ARGUE THAT THE STATE'S FOSSIL FUEL ENERGY SYSTEM IS DEGRADING AND DEPLETING MONTANA'S CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE ATMOSPHERE, RIVERS AND LAKES, AND FISH AND WILDLIFE. ON AUGUST 14, 2023 IN AN HISTORIC FIRST, JUDGE SEELEY RULED WHOLLY IN FAVOR OF THE 16 YOUTH PLAINTIFFS, DECLARING THAT THE STTATE OF MONTANA VIOLATED THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THEIR RIGHTS TO EQUAL PROTECTION, DIGNITY, LIBERTY, HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND PUBLIC TRUST, WHICH ARE ALL PREDICATED ON THEIR RIGHT TO A CLEAN AND HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT. THE COURT INVALIDATED AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ENJOINED MONTANA LAWS THAT PROMOTED FOSSIL FUELS AND REQUIRED TURNING A BLIND EYE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. THE COURT RULED THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS HAD PROVEN THEIR STANDING TO BRING THE CASE BY SHOWING SIGNIFICANT INJURIES, THE GOVERNMENT'S SUBSTANTIAL ROLE IN CAUSING THEM, AND THAT A JUDGEMENT IN THEIR FAVOR WOULD CHANGE THE GOVERNMENT'S CONDUCT. ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, THE STATE FILED ITS APPEAL TO THE MONTANA SUPREME COURT, FOLLOWED BY A REQUEST TO STAY THE RULING ON OCTOBER 16, 2023, WHICH JUDGE SEELEY DENIED ON NOVEMBER 21, 2023. WE ANTICIPATE ARGUING THE CASE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT OF MONTANA IN 2024. JULIANA V. UNITED STATES, DISTRICT OF OREGON, CASE NO. 6:15-CV-01517-AA WE REPRESENT 21 AMERICANS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. IN THIS LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND PROPERTY, AND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S PUBLIC TRUST OBLIGATIONS TO PRESERVE NATURAL RESOURCES HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT THAT KNOWINGLY CONTRIBUTE TO AND EXACERBATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. FOR NINE YEARS, THE U.S.DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ) HAS AGGRESSIVELY FILED MOTIONS TO DELAY OR DISMISS THIS LANDMARK CONSTITUTIONAL CLIMATE CASE. ON DECEMBER 29, 2023, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE ANN AIKEN RULED IN FAVOR OF THE JULIANA 21, PUTTING AN END TO THE DOJ'S MOTIONS TO DISMISS THE CASE, AND ALLOWING THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS TO CONTINUE ON THE PATH TO TRIAL. THE PARTIES WERE SET TO RECEIVE TRIAL DATES FROM JUDGE AIKEN IN 2024. LAYLA H.V. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CASE NO. CL22000632 WE REPRESENT 13 VIRGINIANS IN THIS LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA'S JUS PUBLICUM OBLIGATIONS TO PRESERVE NATURAL RECOURCES HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS OF THE STATE THAT KNOWINGLY CONTRIBUTE TO AND EXACERBATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. THIS CASE ARGUES THAT THE COMMONWEALTH'S HISTORIC AND ONGOING PERMITTING OF FOSSIL FUELS IS CAUSING AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND VIOLATING THE PLAINTIFFS' CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS ASSERT THAT VIRGINIA HAS VIOLATED ITS PUBLIC TRUST DUTY TO PROTECT ELEMENTS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, INCLUDING THE ATMOSPHERE, REQUIRED TO PRESERVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. THEY ALSO ASSERT THAT THE COMMONWEALTH CONTINUES TO RELY PRIMARILY ON FOSSIL FUELS AS ITS MAIN ENERGY SOURCE AND IS THERBY EXACERBATING CLIMATE CHANGE BY POLLUTING THE ATMOSPHERE WITH EXCESSIVE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS. NATALIE R V. STATE OF UTAH, THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, SALT LAKE COUNTY, CASE NO. XXX-XX-XXXX WE REPRESENT 7 UTAHNS IN THIS LAWSUIT SEEKING A COURT DECLARATION THAT THE YOUTH'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS UNDER THE UTAH CONSTITUTION HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS OF THE UTAH GOVENRMENT THAT KNOWINGLY CONTRIBUTE TO AND EXACERBATE THE CLIMATE CRISIS. THE CASE ARGUES THAT, THROUGH ITS STATUTORY POLICY TO MAXIMIZE, PROMOOTE, AND SYSTEMATICALLY AUTHORIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FOSSIL FUELS IN UTAH, THE STATE IS ACTIVELY CAUSING AND CONTRIBUTING TO UTAH'S HAZARDOUS AIR QUALITY AND DANGEROUS CLIMATE CRISIS IMPACTS, HARMING THE YOUNG PLAINTIFFS AND VIOLATING THEIR STATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO LIFE, HEALTH, AND SAFETY. THE YOUTH PLAINTIFFS CLAIM THAT THEIR STATE GOVERNMENT HAS LONG KNOWN OF THE DANGERS OF FOSSIL FUELS YET HAS CONTINUED TO TAKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS THAT WORSEN AIR P FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 WAS PREPARED BY A CPA IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S MANAGEMENT. THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND ITS TREASURER REVIEWED A DRAFT OF THE 990 AND PROVIDED COMMENTS. A COMPLETE COPY OF THE FORM 990 WAS PROVIDED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING BODY BEFORE IT WAS FILED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND TO REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM ANY DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OR VOTING ON RELATED MATTER TO THE POTENTIAL CONFLICT. ALL MEMBERS MONITOR FOR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE BOARD PRESIDENT ENSURE THAT CONFLICT DISCLOSURES ARE MADE AND EXPLORED AND ADDRESSED APPROPRIATELY TO REMOVE ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST SHOULD ANY ARISE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A A STAFF COMPENSATION STUDY WAS PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT HUMAN RESOURCES FIRM THAT THEN MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN ORGANIZATON-WIDE SALARY GRADE AND RANGE STRUCTURE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B A STAFF COMPENSATION STUDY WAS PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT HUMAN RESOURCES FIRM THAT THEN MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN ORGANIZATION-WIDE SALARY GRADE AND RANGE STRUCTURE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 17 MICHIGAN, NEVADA, NEW YORK, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, OREGON, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, UTAH, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL REPORTING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND OUR FORM 990'S ARE PUBLISHED ON THIRD PARTY WEBSITES. FORM 990, PAGE 12, PART XII, LINE 1 CHANGED ACCOUNTING METHOD FROM CASH TO ACCRUAL