Credit: Hartman, Steven, Peter Norrman, and Julia Olson. The Principle of Atmospheric Trust. Originally published in bifrostonline.org, 26 October 2018 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Principle of Atmospheric Trust
Julia Olson, lead council in Juliana v. United States and co-founder of Our Children’s Trust
Julia Olson, co-founder of Our Children’s Trust, outlines the principle of atmospheric trust at the heart of the Juliana v. United States lawsuit that she is leading through U.S. federal court system. Atmospheric trust litigation, she explains, is an application of the public trust doctrine long established in Western law, which holds that governments are formed to protect those things that are essential to their citizenry. Juliana v. United States maintains that a stable climate system is an essential resource that we all need to live our lives.
Bifrost gratefully acknowledges Stephanie LeMenager, Barbara and Carlisle Moore Distinguished Professor in English and American Literature at University of Oregon, and the leadership of the research network NIES for all their valuable work and support behind the scenes that helped make this video interview possible. Grateful acknowledgment is also made to Torsten Kjellstrand of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication for providing valuable studio facilities where this and other interviews were filmed with Eugene-based activists, scholars, lawyers and plaintiffs affiliated with Our Children’s Trust.
