YOUTH v GOV is the story of America’s youth taking on the world’s most powerful government. Armed with a wealth of evidence, twenty-one courageous leaders file a ground-breaking lawsuit against the U.S. government, asserting it has willfully acted over six decades to create the climate crisis, thus endangering their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property. If these young people are successful, they will not only make history, they will change the future.
The United States of America constitutional lawsuit and the 21 American youth, ages 14 to 25, who are taking on the world’s most powerful government. Since 2015, the legal non-profit Our Children’s Trust, has been representing these youth in their landmark case against the U.S. government for violating their constitutional rights to life, liberty, personal safety, and property through their willful actions in creating the climate crisis they will inherit.
As leaders in the youth climate movement, the twenty-one plaintiffs of Juliana v. The United States of America represent the diversity of American youth impacted by the climate crisis. They hail from 10 states: Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Louisiana, and New York. These film characters encompass cultural, economic and geographic diversity and many come from marginalized communities, serving as beacons of hope for those who do not have a platform to share their own stories. They are African-American, Indigenous, white, bi-racial, and LGBTQ, and their diversity speaks not only to the impacts of climate change, but to the inclusion required if we are to build a better and more just future together. These young people are activists, students, artists, musicians, and farmers, and their stories are universal.
“I am 100% behind our youth having a say in decisions affecting their future and holding the government accountable to them.” – FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA
“One of the most fascinating aspects of this astounding documentary is that it shows the 21 young plaintiffs becoming seasoned and articulate advocates for the planet they want to inherit. Their resolve is tested again and again, as they persevere against the odds. I found it humbling, educational and deeply inspiring. Bravo! – GLENN CLOSE
“Youth v Gov is both a documentary and a kind of superhero movie.” – MADELINE LINES – POV MAGAZINE
“A vital story of a key judicial battle in the ongoing war against man-made climate change, this film is a splendidly-made and urgent coming-of-age tale for our time. Its first-class production values are a rarity among the far too few contemporary films dealing with the desire of youth for a cleaner environment. What makes this one particularly poignant is the diverse all-star team of precocious youth who’ve been recruited to join the ongoing messy quest for environmental justice.” – TOM WRIGHT (filmmaker)
Youth v Gov is now available on Netflix.
Learn more about the Children’s Trust, the Juliana lawsuit, and the legal team behind this work.
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