CARE-WSL Tribunal For the Yet to Come: Student-Led Climate Justice in Action

The CARE Annual Conference hosted  the CARE Tribunal for the Yet to Come, a student-led climate accountability exercise exploring the moral and legal responsibilities owed to future generations, emphasizing intergenerational equity, global climate justice and the duty of care. 

With support from Dr. Yamina Saheb, Prof. Laura Tozer (University of Toronto) and CARE Research Assistant Ana Diaz Vidal, students prepared intensively in advance, coordinating online prior to the conference. Designed as a scripted performance, the Tribunal combined scientific evidence, legal framing and ethical reflection to create a powerful narrative about climate responsibility.

 

A Carefully Structured Performance 

The proceedings unfolded in several structured segments:

• Scientific and cultural foundations: Students presented detailed evidence on climate impacts in vulnerable regions, including the effects on traditional food systems, fisheries and community practices. These presentations highlighted both the tangible consequences of climate change and the broader ethical implications for societies that are least responsible yet most affected.
• Legal and accountability framing: The tribunal explored questions of foreseeability, state capacity and adequacy of responses, drawing on international law principles, climate agreements and historical responsibility. The scripted performance made clear that accountability for climate decisions is not optional but essential.
• Guided narrative and ethical reflection: The performance guided the audience through evidence, arguments and ethical reasoning in a carefully choreographed flow, culminating in reflections on justice, responsibility and the obligations owed to future generations. 

Collaboration and Roles: A Ninety-Minute Tribunal

The Tribunal roles were as follows:

Chair

1. Robyn Ahn, University of Toronto

Scene Setters

• Tristan Cook, University of Guelph - Scene Setter (Scientific and contextual overview)
• Allegra Melli, Sciences Po  - Scene Setter (Climate science evidence)

Counsels

• Leo Ruesche Neggia, Sciences Po - Prosecutor (representing the youth and future generations of Vanuatu)
• Nilusha Rattansi, UBC - Claimant’s Representative
• Pranav Sinha, University of Toronto - Respondent

Expert Witness

• Dr. Yamina Saheb - Climate policy scientist

Youth Testimony

• Leandro Salud, UBC

Jury

• Maryam Rahimi Rahimi Shahmirzadi, University of Toronto - Jury introduction and closing remarks
• Varun Joshu, University of Guelph - Jury deliberation: foreseeability of harm
• Raphael Choquette, UBC - Jury deliberation: state capacity to act
• Phoenix Seelochan, University of Guelph - Jury deliberation: adequacy of measures

The tribunal also featured a sketch artist, Emma Domingues, a Sciences Po alumna who captured the performance. 

The event concluded with a huge round of applause and can now be watched in full.

Watch the Full Performance