Young activists seek tougher action on climate change

SEATTLE (AP) _ A group of young climate activists is asking a Seattle judge to find Washington state in contempt for failing to adequately protect them and future generations from the harmful effects of climate change.

A King County Superior Court judge is hearing arguments Tuesday afternoon in the case brought by eight petitioners, who are between 12 and 16.

The state says in court documents that there's nobasis for finding the Department of Ecology in contempt. It argues that the agency complied with courts orders when it adopted a clean air rule in September requiring power plants, refineries and other larger polluters to reduce emissions by an average 1.7 percent each year.

The petitioners say that rule wasn't protective enough. They want the judge to find that the state is violating prior court orders by not doing more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.