Judge hears dismissal request in kids’ climate change suit

EUGENE – A federal judge is considering a dismissal request from defense attorneys in a lawsuit filed by a group of youths seeking a court order to reduce emissions contributing to climate change.

The Register-Guard reported that on Wednesday lawyers for both the government and trade groups representing Exxon Mobil, BP and other energy companies asked for the lawsuit to be thrown out.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Coffin says he will prepare a ruling to decide the lawsuit’s fate at an unspecified later date.

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Eugene last summer, saying their generation will bear the brunt of global warming and that government at every level has an obligation to protect natural resources.

A lawyer for the plaintiffs says the judge has a responsibility to keep the litigation alive.