Climate Change Update: NC Teens Seek Carbon Rules
A teen who tried to sue the state over climate change pollution two years ago is back for another try, and she’s brought friends.
Wake County climate activist (and teenager) Hallie Turner tried before to get the state’s environmental regulatory apparatus to regulate atmospheric carbon emissions. When she was turned down at that level, she unsuccessfully sued the state.
Now, Turner and two other NC teens are once again petitioning the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to adopt rules limiting carbon emissions. In fact, they’d like the state to adopt a zero-emissions goal by 2050.
The numbers may be ambitious, but the reception by the state environmental agencies may well be more positive this time around. Turner’s previous effort was directed at the administration of former Gov. Pat McCrory, who was not known as sympathetic to action on climate change. The new petition has more science to back it, and will be considered first by appointees of Gov. Roy Cooper, an avowed supporter of action to address climate change.
The teens’ legal effort is part of a national movement to seek state-level action on climate change on behalf of younger citizens, who argue that they will be left to face the catastrophic consequences of today’s inaction.
We like their thinking, and hope their petition will get the serious consideration it deserves this time.
