The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world’s top court, just made a powerful statement: if countries don’t act on climate change, they could be breaking the law.
The court said everyone has the right to live in a clean, healthy environment — and that governments must cut pollution, protect people, and take care of the planet.
This ruling came after years of work by Pacific youth and the country of Vanuatu, backed by over 130 nations. One of the youth leaders behind the case was Vishal Prasad — a 2024 Global Citizen Prize winner — and Global Citizens around the world helped support the campaign with a global petition of over 30,000 signatures handed over alongside personal climate testimonies.
The ruling doesn’t create new laws, but it does send a warning. Countries that keep growing or funding fossil fuel projects could face legal action from people and communities harmed by climate change.
Right now, countries are getting ready to update their climate targets before COP30. Celebrate and speak up and call on Australia and the EU to make bold plans that protect our future — and stop new fossil fuels.
Every post adds pressure and shows these governments the world expects action — not more climate harm.