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Hawaii's youth forges path out of climate crisis

Amanda Coulson-Drasner
December 25, 2025

Scared for their future, 13 young Hawaiians sued their government over the worsening climate crisis that threatens their communities and traditions. Their historic win means that the island US state will have to cut emissions.

https://p.dw.com/p/55jEp

For young Hawaiians, the fight against climate change is about protecting their homes, communities, livelihoods and traditions.

Rising sea levels, drought, and wildfires threaten fishponds, ancestral forms of agriculture and farming, and traditional cultural practices such as hula dancing.

Navahine and Kaliko, plaintiffs in a landmark lawsuit brought against Hawaii's government, pushed the island US state in the Pacific Ocean to commit to cutting transportation emissions by 50% by 2030 and fully decarbonizing by 2045.

Their case sets a global precedent for youth-led climate change litigation.