Meet the teens taking on big coal in Australia
At just 13 years of age, Izzy Raj-Seppings is one of eight Australian teens who's brought a class action in the country's federal court.
"Our case, we're trying to get the federal environment minister to prevent the Vickery coal mine from going ahead because we believe that she has a duty of care for young Australians and young people all over the world from the effects of climate change."
The lawsuit against Environment Minister Susan Ley comes ahead of a decision later this month on whether to approve the Whitehaven Coal-owned Vickery coal mine extension project in the state of New South Wales.
Equity Generation Lawyers said in a statement that, "The case is an Australian first, as it seeks to invoke the Minister's common law duty of care to protect younger people against climate change."
David Barden is with the law firm.
"This case is empowering young people who don't have the right to vote, who don't have the right to stand in an election."
Ley's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while a spokeswoman for Whitehaven Coal declined to comment.
Climate change has long been a divisive topic in Australia, which counts coal and iron ore as its two top exports.
The country's reliance on coal-fired power also makes it one of the world's largest per capita carbon emitters.
But Izzy is still optimisitic.
"I definitely have hope because if you look around you can see all the incredible climate activists - young and old - all these people fighting for what's right. We are making change."
