The International Court of Justice ruled Wednesday that states have an obligation to cut greenhouse gas emissions to protect Earth’s climate and that failing to do so may be a violation of international law. The court also found that a healthy and sustainable environment is a precondition for the enjoyment of rights enshrined in human rights treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Climate campaigners welcomed Wednesday’s ruling as an historic victory. This is Vishal Prasad, an organizer with the group Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change.

Vishal Prasad: “For small island states, communities in the Pacific and for young people and for future generations, this opinion is a lifeline and an opportunity to protect all that we hold dear and all that we love. This ruling is also a testament to the resolve of people everywhere, those at the frontlines who chose not to allow the decisions of a minority of countries to dictate the future of the global majority. Instead, this advisory opinion today provides us a foundation to build a better, sustainable and more equitable future for all of us.”

We’ll have more on the World Court’s historic ruling later in the broadcast.