Today, young citizens went to King County Superior Court to defend their right to a healthy earth and sustainable future. They hope that Judge Dean Lum will rule in their favor in what experts have called one of the most remarkable legal actions that has the potential to halt human-induced climate change.

On May 4, 2011, seven young plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the State of Washington, No. 11-2-16008-4 SEA, to compel the State to develop a comprehensive plan to prevent further increases in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and to compel government action in reducing CO₂ emissions. Though the plaintiffs are young, they have been fighting to protect the environment for many years. Some, like 14-year-old Jacob, spear-headed recycling and green building initiatives at their schools and others, like 16-year-old Anna, became leaders in environmental organizations, such as the Evergreen Chapter of the National Honor Society. 

Their drive in entering the lawsuit also comes from the alarming research of our nation’s top scientists. According to leading climate scientist Dr. James Hansen, “the science is crystal clear—we must rapidly reduce fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions if we are to have a chance of protecting Earth’s natural systems for these young people.”

The Washington lawsuit is part of a larger, innovative climate litigation strategy­­—the international iMatter Trust Campaign. As part of this campaign, youth plaintiffs launched legal actions in 49 states and the District of Columbia, in addition to a federal lawsuit.

The young plaintiffs have based their lawsuit on the Public Trust Doctrine, which requires sovereign governments to manage and protect vital, natural resources for the common benefit of its citizens. By evoking this doctrine, the plaintiffs are not asking for monetary or punitive damages. They are instead petitioning the court to require that the State of Washington develop a climate recovery plan that will protect Washington’s resources for future generations.

There is evidence that Washington is particularly vulnerable to climate change and must develop and implement an informed plan to protect the State’s public trust resources. In fact, Governor Christine Gregoire has acknowledged that “Washington is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and without additional action to reduce carbon emissions, the severity of the impacts will negatively affect nearly every part of Washington’s economy and environment.” (Washington Executive Order 09-05 (May 21, 2009)).

According to Andrea Rodgers Harris, attorney for the plaintiffs, “In Washington, our Supreme Court just ruled that our State’s educational funding system is broken and that kids are entitled by law to an education under our Constitution.  Likewise, our State has an obligation to our youth to ensure the protection of natural resources on which their security and livelihood depends.  That is the essence of the public trust, and it is broken when it comes to climate.”

In September of last year, the State of Washington filed a motion to dismiss the case, but also conceded that there was merit in the youths’ argument. In the case, the State admits:

[S]cientific projections indicate that increasing GHG concentrations in the atmosphere are projected to change the climate which would impact human beings’ natural environment and that identifying the optimal timeline to reduce emissions and address impacts is important to minimizing the impacts. (Answer of Defendants to Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint for Declaratory & Injunctive Relief, NO. 11-2-16008-4 SEA, June 24, 2011).

To protect Earth’s natural systems and our way of life, the consensus among scientists is that average global surface heating must not exceed 1°C and CO2 concentrations must decline to less than 350 parts per million this century (we are currently over 390 ppm). To accomplish this reduction, Dr. James Hansen and other renowned scientists conclude that carbon dioxide emissions need to peak in 2012 and decline by 6% per year starting in 2013.

If this is not accomplished, the predicted human-induced impacts of climate change in Washington will be severe. The University of Washington Climate Impacts Group estimates that temperatures in the Pacific Northwest will increase by 3.2 °F by 2040. Consequences of increased temperatures include decreased snow pack, decreased water availability for agriculture, and reduced freshwater salmon habitat. Hotter temperatures coupled with decreased precipitation will pose challenges to human health and increase the risk of wildfires, which threaten the State’s forests, ecosystems, and rural populations.

Despite the plaintiffs’ formidable scientific and legal claims, the state is asking that the public trust case be dismissed. Today, state attorneys will raise jurisdictional defenses in an attempt to prevent the court from hearing the substance of the case.  Ultimately, it will be Chief Judge Lum, who will consider the arguments and decide whether to give these young citizens a chance to state their case on the merits and move one step closer to a real climate recovery plan.

“If our government doesn’t act quickly to plan for my future, fossil fuel emissions will dictate the future of my entire generation,” says Adora Svitak, one of the seven youth plaintiffs.  “I’m not old enough to vote yet, but I have rights.  I hope the court will do the right thing and hear our case.”

The current hospital is the smallest in the region serving the fastest growing population inWashingtonState. Zoning laws and other factors precluded expansion on the current campus. Meanwhile, the new location at the interchange of I-90 and Highway 18 will provide easier access, higher visibly and serve as a community node supporting preventive, primary, specialty and outpatient healthcare in addition to hospital and emergency services.

Community Relations Manager,Fritz Ribary, characterizes the District approach to health care as follows, “Our strength comes from the fact that we’re local and very strong advocates for our patients and residents. We provide quality care with a personal touch with very experienced staff while also collaborating with our regional partners. The new hospital will assure residents that their health and wellbeing will continue to be safeguarded well into the future.”

Developer Moreland Corporation, Soderstrom Architects, and Absher Construction comprise the design and construction team. Clearing has already begun, and construction is anticipated to begin by early 2012.

Operating the local hospital, emergency department, primary care and other clinics, the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District provides professional care with a personal touch for the residents of the North Bend, Snoqualmie, Fall City, Carnation and surrounding areas.

Cavanaugh Pond Natural Area supports a diversity of habitats from riparian forest to complex wetland, which provide varied habitats for fish and wildlife. Cavanaugh Pond is known for its populations of spawning sockeye salmon and supports coastal cutthroat trout and winter steelhead. Volunteers will be removing invasive blackberries to help us prepare for future riparian plantings.

The lecture component will feature speaker, Cam Sigler, founder of the Cam Sigler Company and international saltwater fly fishing guide. The afternoon Fly Fishing Workshop will consist of casting and tying demonstrations for all skill levels, from the beginners to the avid anglers, and a macro-invertebrate identification lab. Lunch will also be provided, including smoked salmon from Loki Fish Company and other snacks from Whole Foods.

To sign up, please contact Nisa Karimi at Nisa@cedarriver.org.

About Friends of the Cedar River Watershed: Friends of the Cedar River Watershed is a non-profit organization that engages people to enhance and sustain local watersheds through conservation, education and stewardship.  We work throughout the Cedar River / Lake Washington watershed.  The Friends focus on working with community volunteers to improve fish and wildlife habitat, educate river visitors and community members, and engage community groups in water quality improvements.

The mission of the U.S. Congressional Victims’ Rights Caucus, established in 2006 by Congressmen Ted Poe (TX) and Jim Costa (CA), is to elevate crime victim issues in Congress in a bipartisan manner without infringing on the rights of the accused, and represent and advocate before the Administration and within the U.S. Congress on behalf of crime victims and law enforcement officials. Every year, the Caucus sponsors awards in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to honor crime victims and those who serve them for outstanding efforts in victim advocacy, allied professional advocacy, public policy, and public awareness.

I am humbled to be awarded this honor. Our mission to give voice, create change and instill courage has never been more important or needed. I am proud of the work the dedicated staff of KCSARC does every day in our efforts to protect and advocate for victims of sexual assault. –Mary Ellen Stone, Executive Director

KCSARC is celebrating its 35^th year of providing services to over 150,000 victims of sexual assault throughout King County. KCSARC’s purpose is to alleviate, as much as possible, the trauma of sexual assault for victims and their families. KCSARC offers a 24-Hour Resource Line, legal advocacy, parent education, therapy and prevention education. KCSARC is a private non-profit that relies on public funding to provide all services free of charge to the community.

The five-member Board of Commissioners oversees operations of Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, eight Evergreen medical groups, home care, hospice and palliative care, community health outreach programs and many other services. Evergreen serves nearly 500,000 residents in north King and south Snohomish counties. More than 900 physicians associated with the hospital and healthcare provider represent more than 50 specialties in all major services including cardiac, oncology, surgery and maternity care.

DeYoung has been a commissioner since 1980. A life-long resident of the Northshore area, he has been involved in community affairs since elected to the Northshore School District board of directors in 1968. He is active in many community organizations.

Greenfield has been a commissioner since 1998. She participated for 14 years in Evergreen’s Community Advisors program before joining the board. She is an operations specialist for U.S. Bank and served on the King County Children and Family Commission and has been a board member of the Eastside Human Services Forum.

Other Commissioners are Rebecca Hirt of Kirkland/Kenmore who has served since 1988, R. August Kempf of Redmond who has been a commissioner since 2000 and Charles Pilcher MD, of Kirkland who joined the board in 2010.

The 9^th to 12^th grade students from public, home and private schools will work individually or in teams to conduct independent research in one of 18 science, math and engineering categories.

Information for students who wish to take part is available online at http://scidiv.bellevuecollege.edu/sami/scifair/ . Registrations are being accepted through March 10.

The public is invited to view the projects from 10 a.m. to noon on March 20, free of charge, in Bellevue College’s C Building (next to the fountain on the college’s main campus).

Winners will be announced at 2 p.m., with first, second and third-place ribbons awarded in separate science, math and engineering categories.  An overall winner will also be announced.

Projects will be judged on their creativity, depth of content, thoroughness and clarity, among other criteria.

The science fair is sponsored by the Bellevue College’s Science and Math Institute (SAMI) and Science Division.

For further information about the fair, contact Kathryn Souza at kathryn.souza@bellevuecollege.edu or (425)564-3055.

Bellevue College’s main campus is located at 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, at the intersection of S.E. 28th St. and 148th Ave. S.E..

ABOUT SAMI

The Bellevue College Science and Math Institute, or SAMI, was launched in 2008 to interest more students of all ages in science and mathematics, on campus and in the surrounding community. Its activities range from “Science to Go” programs that bring hands-on science to middle- and elementary-school classrooms, to internship opportunities for science students and an annual, one-week Summer Science Camp for 5^th and 6^th-graders.

For further information about SAMI, email kathryn.souza@bellevuecollege.edu or phone (425) 564-3055.

ABOUT BELLEVUE COLLEGE’S SCIENCE DIVISION

Serving more than 20,000 students each year, Bellevue College’s Science Division offers a comprehensive curriculum of more than 100 courses within four general program areas:  Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

Highly unusual for a two-year college, the Division engages students in ongoing, original genomic research. Students in the project, known as ComGen, are analyzing the genetic makeup of a bacterium not yet studied anywhere else in the world, which holds the potential to protect wheat and barley from root disease.

The college’s science facilities include its new, three-story, 64,000 square-foot S Building, which houses five high-tech classrooms, 16 advanced laboratories and a Science Study Center. Another key asset is the Willard Geer Planetarium, the only planetarium in the region to use the advanced, computer-based Digistar 3 system to project and move images. The 60-seat planetarium is almost constantly in use as a college classroom or a field-trip destination for 1,600 K-12 students each year.