The International Court of Justice is hearing a case brought by Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, arguing that industrialized countries have a legal responsibility to prevent climate catastrophe.
Elizabeth Kolbert reports for The New Yorker.
In short:
- Vanuatu, one of the nations most vulnerable to climate change, has brought a landmark climate case to the International Court of Justice, seeking to establish legal accountability for global emissions.
- The U.S. and other major emitters argue against the case, claiming international climate agreements are sufficient, despite their failure to curb rising emissions and warming.
- A ruling favoring Vanuatu could set a global precedent, potentially transforming voluntary climate goals into enforceable legal obligations.
Key quote:
“Let us not allow future generations to look back and wonder why the cause of their doom was condoned.”
— Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s special envoy for climate change
Why this matters:
If the ICJ sides with Vanuatu, it could fundamentally change the game, transforming moral imperatives into legal mandates. For small nations on the frontlines, this case is more than justice—it’s a shot at survival. For the rest of us, it’s another wake-up call. Read more: Scientists probe ancient history of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet and find unsettling news about sea level rise.
