The Kids Suing the EPA Over Climate Change Are Black and Brown Too

Genesis B. doesn’t have air conditioning. That used to be the norm in Long Beach, California, where the 17-year-old was born and raised. A beach city in southern Los Angeles County, it’s the kind of place that never gets too hot, thanks to the breeze coming off of the water — or it used to be, at least. As temperatures increase, air conditioning has become more common there — but it’s too expensive for Genesis’ family.  The heat can take its toll outside, too: This summer, the hottest ever, Genesis (who, as a minor, is only identified by the first initial of her last name) suffered from heat exhaustion.  Along with 17 other California kids between the ages of 8 and 17, Genesis is& suing the Environmental Protection Agency, arguing that the federal agency has violated what lawyers representing the kids say is a constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment by& permitting excessive amounts of pollution& that has led to and continues to exacerbate the climate crisis. “As extreme heat days become more common in Long Beach, Genesis is unable to cool off in her home during the day,” the suit, which was filed on Sunday, explains. “On...