Together we need to change the power structures that are enabling coal, oil and gas companies to keep fuelling the climate crisis. Now a group of pioneering Swedes are exploring a new tool for making change — the courts.
As the strongest typhoon so far this year Meranti makes its way across Taiwan into China, and a powerful cyclone is leaving terrible traces in Uruguay and Brazil, a court case was filed at the Stockholm District Court yesterday. 175 young people are joining together to sue the Swedish state for breaking their promises to future generations and international climate agreements. Their lawsuit claims the state broke the law when it failed to stop the sale of state-owned energy company Vattenfall’s lignite mines.
Behind the so-called “Magnolia Case” are two brave youth organisations: PUSH Sverige and Fältbiologerna. On Magnolia’s website (in Swedish) you can read more about the case and what you can do to help out.
For too long, politicians chasing the ballot box have allowed state-owned Vattenfall to open coal mines as they like. Now they are trying to hand the responsibility for those fossil fuels to someone else while they speak of green energy within Swedish borders. But climate change doesn’t know borders, and neither does our solidarity! No matter who owns the coal it needs to be kept in the ground, and it’s up to you and me to make that happen.
… and there are more groups and people exploring the courts to sue states and governments on climate change! Read this article in the New York Times to learn more.