Forum Topic

Portuguese teenagers suing 33 European countries

Sibling Sophia, 16, and Andre, 13, together with some friends are using human rights law to force European politicians to tackle climate change. Very bright children and so focussed on their arguments! Bravo!!! By the way, the ECHR has accepted their case.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-59776108

Ivonne Holliday ● 1263d22 Comments

I agree with you Michael.What the children are doing is incredibly brave and very positive indeed; I admire them for it.They will learn lessons they will never forget, many frustrations along the way of course, but very courageous of them.  I wish them all the best!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1260d

Well they are not exactly going to do it all on their own are they?  Like anybody else taking on this task they are bound to have the support of professionals in the field.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-59776108https://www.npr.org/2021/12/02/1058350093/climate-change-portuguese-children-lawsuithttps://youth4climatejustice.org/ I think it is eight children and a nun who are currently taking the Australian Govt to court.

Philippa Bond ● 1260d

The GLAN lawyers will presumably be looking after the legal "paperwork" as you out it, Simon? Working alongside GLAN should be instructive for these kids. Better than vandalising the local neighbourhood or hanging around smoking dope - which I'm sure those on this Forum would be quick to condemn. What they're doing is positive and certainly not harmful to them or anyone else - if nothing else they'll learn how difficult it is to stand up against established power and wealth?

Michael Ixer ● 1260d

"I think".They have no concept of the paperwork involved.Jeez Phil you live in a bubble!

Simon Knight ● 1260d

I think these children will learn a terrific amount from their experiences and direct involvement in issues.  Their own energy and enthusiasm will expand their interests and may well take them further than just sitting in a classroom will.

Philippa Bond ● 1260d

A lot of Brexit supporters confused the ECJ and the ECHR before the 2016 referendum. I got fed up of explaining the basic difference. I would think European lawyers have a rosy future - and I include UK lawyers in that when the UK/EU Brexit treaty starts being challenged in various UK,EU courts and tribunals ...

Michael Ixer ● 1261d

Not anger just feelings...your "similar impressions" to me are frankly yawn...

Simon Knight ● 1261d

It must be quite an educational experience for the kids. I fell asleep just reading about the difference between the ECHR and the ECJ.I assume knowing these things are part of being an European citizen and is probably part of their curriculum. Besides does anyone see a future where there will be less lawyers?I would not confuse them with XR/IB, they are using perfectly legitimate means. I'm not sure how effective the outcome will be.

Ed Robinson ● 1261d

That is a lot of anger Simon....I suppose you have a similar impression of Tobias Weller and Max Woosey.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1261d

SILLY LITTLE WANABEE KIDS.

Simon Knight ● 1261d

Sorry Ivonne, but whether they are EX or Insulate. They still cause the same hassle with their demonstrations.

Barbara Stevens ● 1261d

I am sorry to correct you but Extinction Rebellion did not block roads.  It was Insulate Britain who did so. Matt Palmer has mentioned this constantly.As for the Portuguese children, my hat off to them, it is the planet they will be living in in future, if there is one.  These Portuguese "silly" children according to you, endured one of the worst fires where they live a few years ago.  It must have been terrifying and they are afraid of the future.  You may not agree with them because they are so young, but my goodness, they are focussed and very eloquent in their requests, qualities that our leaders distinctly lack.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1261d

Philippa, I don't think anybody denies global warming but ER and silly little Portuguese kids aren't the way forward.

Simon Knight ● 1261d

Well if EX Reb hadn't blocked so many roads, costing the Government MILLIONS with extra Police. Perhaps there would have been more money to do what ER wanted. Also the cost of keeping them in Prison.

Barbara Stevens ● 1261d

It is rather an embarrassment that after 30 years our govt has done so little to prepare the residents of the UK as a whole.  No wonder Extinction Rebellion had banners calling for the truth to be told and for action to be taken to prepare to deal with the consequences of Climate Change.  We can't always pick and choose just when we want to be part of a bigger world however hard some may try!  Let's try and safeguard the future and not trash it.

Philippa Bond ● 1261d

The silly little Greta wanabees should perhaps spend more time studying for exams.

Simon Knight ● 1262d

Very embarrassing for England & Wales, but what was the final sanction?I believe Paris actually banned cars when air pollution gets bad. I'm just making the point that the ruling can be more or less ignored.As with all courts including cases won by  the good law project if there is no meaningful enforcement of the judgement is it not just a paper victory?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38236926"There was no ruling against the government for its decision to back-pedal on a previous commitment to legally ensure five cities implemented charging ‘Clean Air Zones’ – which charge the most polluting vehicles to enter the most polluted parts of a city."

Ed Robinson ● 1262d

The Govt actually lost THREE court cases over illegal sir pollution.  Client Earth believe that air pollution and climate change go hand in hand.In the third they were ordered to make the Locsl Authorities take steps to reduce the pollution in their areas.https://www.clientearth.org/latest/latest-updates/news/uk-government-loses-third-air-pollution-case-as-judge-rules-air-pollution-plans-unlawfulRemember the UK lobbied the EU to reduce the figure at which air pollution was considered illegal so that the UK air pollution figures would seem less bad.Bravo the Portuguese teenagers who having seen the fires raging across their countryside decided to take action.Whilst writing this Colorado in the US has terrible fires raging and people are losing their homes.  Hiigh winds have knocked over power lines which causes sparks ... dry grass catching alight...  Just a few hours and 600 homes have apparently been lost.

Philippa Bond ● 1262d

Yes Michael it was the BBC omission that I found strange. A small point perhaps given BbC news latest fiasco.Philippa it does sound like a similar organisation. Besides winning the case what was the outcome? (Besides shaming and publicity)

Ed Robinson ● 1262d

Client Earth took the UK Govt to court over air pollution a couple of times and won.Www.clientearth.org

Philippa Bond ● 1262d

Ed, looking at the FAQ on the GLAN website the UK is one of the countries being sued. Interesting move but will it get bogged down in legal manoeuvres?This case is brought against the Member States of the EU (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) as well as Norway, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Michael Ixer ● 1262d

Perhaps I missed it but the BBC clip does not make it clear that the UK is one of those 33 European countries.What if they win? I do not remember any sanctions being applied to London over its poor air quality although that was the ECJ I think.The non-profit organisation Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) filed their case which seems a very interesting organisation.https://www.glanlaw.org/There are more details here:https://www.ejiltalk.org/the-ecthrs-pending-climate-change-case-whats-ill-treatment-got-to-do-with-it/

Ed Robinson ● 1262d