Purpose
- Investigates the causes of economic imbalances.
- Explores and develops market-based solutions.
Summary
Our Atmospheric Trust Campaign is built on the belief that everyone has a fundamental right to a healthy atmosphere and a stable climate. Through legal action and public education, we aim to establish a constitutional standard for climate stability, holding governments accountable to reduce CO2 below 350 ppm by 2100 – a threshold aligned with the scientific threshold for a safe climate within Earth’s planetary boundaries. Rooted in science and justice, our mission is to protect current and future generations from the devastating impacts of climate destabilization.
Purpose
We are investigating and addressing the root causes of global economic imbalance, with a focus on climate. Currently, society fails to accurately price the damages caused by climate-destabilizing activities and products, ignoring both present and future harms. This creates significant economic distortions. We are exploring and advocating for market-based solutions that promote a sustainable economy, addressing issues like ecosystem services, climate change, energy security, and food production. Carbon-intensive industries and outdated government policies dominated by the fossil fuel industry continue to dominate, worsening environmental degradation. Our goal is to secure court orders requiring governments to correct these imbalances, and create a just, sustainable economy aligned with scientific mandates to stabilize the climate system and de-acidify oceans.
Scope
To address the economic imbalance driving the climate crisis, a federal-state strategy will shift the paradigm and end fossil fuel dominance. The US has contributed 25% of global GHG emissions. A federal court victory would impact 72 million youth; prevent 1,029,041MMT CO2 emissions, and save $2.2 trillion in health and energy costs by 2050. Annual savings come from reduced mortality and lower energy costs, shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy. A 25-state constitutional litigation strategy would impact 39 million youth; cut 719,379MMT CO2 (equivalent to 19 years of 2021 global industrial emissions) and save $1.24 trillion in health and energy costs by 2050. Our project aims to reach a national tipping point, with global court submissions affirming that law and science are the pillars of climate rights, obligations, and justice.
