Kids suing nations over climate change wildfire links are right

Atlantico Press via ZUMA Wire/REX/Shutterstock

Can countries that foul our atmosphere with gases that warm the world be held legally accountable for the consequences?

Yes, say six schoolchildren from Leiria in Portugal. They are planning to take dozens of European nations to court to answer for forest fires that hit their region in June, one of which resulted in 64 deaths. The youngsters – aged 5 to 14 – say lack of action on global warming makes these disasters more likely.

They are poised to launch a crowdfunded legal suit in the European Court