Hawaii Settles Climate Lawsuit Brought by 13 Youths, Agrees to Net-Zero by 2045

Hawaii has reached a court-approved settlement with 13 children and teenagers who sued the state government over allegations that it was violating the state constitution by operating a transportation system that harms the climate and impinges on the plaintiffs’ right to an unpolluted environment. The settlement agreement, filed on June 20, is for the case Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, in which the 13 youths alleged violations of the constitutional public trust doctrine and constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment” after Hawaii’s Legislature claimed that an “existential climate emergency threatens humanity and the natural world.” “The passion demonstrated by these young people in advocating for a healthy, sustainable future for their generation and those to come, is laudable,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said in a statement....