Public advocates went to court today to ensure California citizens have full access to the legal system to protect themselves from power plant air pollution and have a say about where and when new plants are built. Today’s lawsuit aims to affirm citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed right to judicial review of permits issued by the California Energy Commission for polluting power plants.

Millions of children die every year as a result of environment-related diseases. Their deaths could be prevented by using low-cost and sustainable tools and strategies for improving the environment. In some countries, more than one-third of the disease burden could be prevented by environmental changes. According to a WHO study carried out in 23 countries, more than 10 percent of deaths are due to unsafe water and indoor air pollution, particularly from solid fuel used for cooking.