Out In The Open

'Doing nothing? That would kill me': Why this teen is suing the federal government over climate change

Cecilia La Rose is among 15 young Canadian climate activists who filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging it's violated their fundamental rights by contributing to a warming planet.

'I have no idea what it's like to grow up in a world where the climate is not an issue,' says Cecilia La Rose

Cecilia la Rose is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the federal government that alleges it has violated fundamental rights by contributing to a warming planet. (Andrea Luciuk)

As part of the global youth climate movement, 15 Canadian activists ranging in age from 10 to 19 filed a lawsuit against the federal government earlier this year.

The suit alleges that the federal government violated their fundamental rights by contributing to a warming planet.

Out in the Open host Piya Chattopadhyay speaks with one of the lead plaintiffs, 15-year-old Cecilia La Rose, about why she quit going to traditional high school to focus on activism full-time, and what she hopes this lawsuit will achieve.


This story appears in the Out in the Open episode "See Ya, 2019".