Eva v Goliath: the 20-year-old climate activist taking on Trump and the fossil fuel industry

A 20-year-old climate activist prepared testimony for a lawsuit against the US president after executive orders boosted planet-warming fossil fuels. She and 22 young Americans accuse the federal government of violating constitutional rights through those actions. The case was dismissed by the Ninth Circuit in the fall, but the plaintiffs urged reconsideration in Portland, Oregon, in April. The Ninth Circuit will decide whether to reinstate the case. Her background includes growing up in Montana with strong ties to the outdoors, including camping, climbing, and learning while traveling to national parks. She describes the experience as nerve-racking but invigorating, and she frames the challenge as opposing policies that sacrifice lives for power.

"She and 22 other young Americans are accusing the US federal government of violating their constitutional rights by passing executive orders boosting planet-warming fossil fuels. Even though the ninth circuit court dismissed Lighthiser v Trump in the fall, Lighthiser and her fellow plaintiffs went to Portland, Oregon, in April to urge the court to reconsider. In the next month, the ninth circuit court of appeals, which covers Montana, will decide if it will reinstate the youths' case."

"We are challenging this administration for sacrificing the lives of myself and my fellow plaintiffs by expanding fossil fuels for the sake of power, she said in a speech outside the courthouse. It was a nerve-racking, but invigorating experience, Lighthiser said. In the next month, the ninth circuit court of appeals, which covers Montana, will decide if it will reinstate the youths' case."

"Lighthiser's affinity with the natural world was planted before she was born: her parents met as hiking buddies, and she grew up camping and climbing mountains in Livingston, Montana. During her first year of high school, she was home-schooled from the road, learning math and history while visiting national parks. A view of the Yellowstone River in Livingston, Montana."

"As a child, she was cautious, and even in adulthood, she does not naturally crave attention. Taking on Trump, it's not the first thing that occurs to you that she would do, said her father, Mark, donning a well-worn Carhartt hoodie. I think Eva has had to push h"

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