Reynolds v. Florida

The Florida Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by eight young people alleging that the State of Florida and state officials and agencies violated their fundamental rights to a stable climate system under Florida common law and the Florida constitution. The appellate court agreed with the court below that the lawsuit raised nonjusticiable political questions.

Filing Year For Action

At the end of a videoconference hearing on June 1, 2020, a judge in Florida Circuit Court announced that he would dismiss a lawsuit filed in 2018 by youth plaintiffs alleging that the State of Florida and state officials and agencies violated their fundamental rights to a stable climate system under Florida common law and the Florida constitution. The judge reportedly concluded that the plaintiffs sought relief that it would not be appropriate for a court to provide, but he stated that “I don’t want anyone to think I am diminishing what your clients’ concerns are. I think they’re legitimate.” The judge also said he would write his ruling so that it would be ripe for appeal.