After Devastating Floods, Wisconsin Youth Take Action: Suing State Utility Regulator for Ignoring Climate Change Impact

On August 9 and 10, southeastern Wisconsin was hit hard by a storm that dumped up to 13 inches of rain in just a few hours. This led to flooding that damaged over 1,800 homes in Milwaukee alone, marking it as one of the worst rain events in U.S. history.

Scientists have long warned that climate change intensifies severe weather. This event, described as a “1,000-year flood,” highlights those concerns. In response, a group of Wisconsin youth, including Indigenous voices, has filed a lawsuit against the state’s utility regulator. They want climate change to be considered in decisions about new fossil fuel projects.

Currently, Wisconsin’s laws prevent the Public Service Commission from taking air pollution, including carbon emissions, into account during the permitting process. The plaintiffs, aged 8 to 17, argue that this law violates their basic rights to life and liberty.

One of the young plaintiffs, 12-year-old Miahlin B., also known as Waazakone, has deep ties to her tribe’s traditions. She and her siblings joined the lawsuit to safeguard their way of life, which is being threatened by climate change. With rising temperatures affecting wild rice growth and shorter winters impacting maple sugaring, their cultural practices are at risk. As she puts it, caring for water is a vital part of her identity as a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians.

The youth also challenge another Wisconsin law that limits the shift to renewable energy. Currently, around three-fourths of the state’s electricity comes from fossil fuels, a figure that matches the national average but lags behind states like South Dakota, where over 75% of energy comes from renewables.

Their legal representation comes from Midwest Environmental Advocates and Our Children’s Trust. The latter has been involved in other significant climate-related lawsuits, such as the successful case in Montana that affirmed young people’s right to a healthy environment.

As climate action faces pushback, these lawsuits reflect growing urgency. Maria Antonia Tigre, a climate change litigation expert, emphasizes that these cases are even more critical now, given the current political climate around environmental issues.

Simultaneously, Waazakone hopes her lawsuit will compel leaders in Wisconsin to acknowledge the reality of climate change. “You cannot let businesses and people erode our futures,” she stresses.

Amid ongoing recovery efforts from recent floods, communities are grappling with the financial aftermath. The push for federal assistance reflects the serious consequences of these events.

This unfolding legal battle also taps into broader trends, as youth activism around climate issues gains momentum across the country. For example, TikTok has seen a rise in hashtags like #ClimateCrisis, where young users share their concerns and advocate for change.

The youth’s fight in Wisconsin is not just a local issue; it’s part of a national conversation about how we prioritize climate action and the rights of future generations.



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