An Oregon lawsuit brought by youth who allege the U.S. government is failing to protect them from the harmful impacts of climate change will move forward, a Eugene judge ruled Friday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Coffin responded to government and fossil fuel industry lawyers' request to dismiss the case by noting the go-nowhere political debate about climate change "necessitates a need for the courts to evaluate the constitutional parameters of the action or inaction taken by the government."

"This is especially true when such harms have an alleged disparate impact on a discrete class of society," Coffin wrote in a nod to the plaintiffs' argument that government inaction on climate change violates the rights of future generations.

The decision marks a key point in the federal lawsuit, which follows state-level efforts in Oregon and other states intended to force government policies that do more to control fossil fuel emissions.

Oregon teen Kelsey Juliana is listed as a lead plaintiff in the case. Other plaintiffs include 20 youth from across the nation, plus world-renowned climate scientist James Hansen.

In a statement Friday, Juliana called the decisions "a tipping point on the scales of justice."

This will be the trial of the century that will determine if we have a right to a livable future, or if corporate power will continue to deny our rights for the sake of their own wealth," Juliana said.

--Kelly House

khouse@oregonian.com

503-221-8178

@Kelly_M_House