How a Student’s Bold Environmental Lawsuit is Shaping the Future of Climate Action

California is facing serious challenges, from floods to wildfires. Amid this chaos, one young advocate is stepping up. Avroh Shah, a high school student from Palo Alto, is fighting for a sustainable future as one of the plaintiffs in the climate lawsuit Genesis B. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“I believe this case can make a huge difference,” Shah said. He cares deeply about the environment and wants to push for real changes at the federal level to protect it.

His journey into climate activism began early. “Nature fills me with joy,” he shares. “Camping in Yosemite and walking in the Baylands with my family showed me how vital it is to protect our planet.” He learned from a young age that standing up for the environment is crucial, especially as it faces increasing dangers from climate change.

“If you make changes at a local level, they can get lost. But a win at the federal level can lead to real change,” Shah explains.

Shah’s passion for advocacy is evident. He believes in fighting for what you love. “To me, the Earth is our home. We have to protect it,” he adds. He joined Genesis B. v. EPA when he connected with Julia Olson, the founder of Our Children’s Trust, an organization that provides legal support for climate cases.

The lawsuit highlights how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not done enough to limit harmful climate pollution, which affects children’s health. Shah felt compelled to act. “There was too little being done locally,” he said. “I couldn’t just wait for older people to take charge.”

His health has been impacted by climate change. “I’m sensitive to smoke,” Shah explained. “Floods have damaged my home, too.” This personal connection fuels his commitment to the cause. The lawsuit argues that the EPA has violated the Fifth Amendment by allowing pollution levels that disproportionately harm children.

According to the case, the EPA has downplayed the number of people suffering from climate impacts and used tactics that assign a monetary value to lives, treating children as less valuable than adults. “When they assess risks, kids are seen as less important,” Shah says. This approach worries him and many others.

“I had to take action. There’s no reason to wait for others when the problem is urgent,” he reiterated.

After filing the lawsuit in December 2023, the government sought to dismiss it, claiming no clear remedy was available. However, this began a new chapter for the plaintiffs when they addressed the judge’s concerns. Shah recalls a pivotal moment when Julia Olson argued that ongoing harm from pollution cannot be ignored.

They’ve since amended their complaint, and the case is currently reviewed by a judge. If they prevail, the EPA will be required to stop its harmful practices regarding discounting children’s lives in policy decisions.

Shah sees this lawsuit as a critical opportunity to enact meaningful change. “We can make a large impact, especially as some of the highest contributors to emissions are here,” he says hopefully.