Judge denies Washington kids' petition on climate change

SEATTLE (AP) _ A judge in Washington state has denied an appeal by eight young activists who petitioned the state to adopt stricter science-based regulations to protect them against climate change.

















King County Superior Court Judge Hollis Hill affirmed some of the children's arguments, saying the state has a duty to protect natural resources for future generations. But she said the Department of Ecology is already working on meeting that obligation by writing new rules for greenhouse gas emissions.

The lawsuit was brought by eight children, 10 to 15 years old. They asked the court to force state officials to base new rules on the best available science.

The judge noted in her ruling Thursday the Ecology Department is taking science into account, along with economic, social and political considerations. She said she doesn't have the authority o dictate how officials develop the rules.