Environment Minister slammed for ‘embarrassing’ appeal decision Environment Minister slammed for ‘embarrassing’ appeal decision 13 July 2021 • By Naomi Neilson Share Teenagers behind a landmark Federal Court ruling have criticised the Environment Minister and the Morrison government for the “embarrassing” decision to appeal against having a duty of care to protect young Australians from potential harm. Earlier this week, the Federal Court ruled in favour of eight young Australians who argued that the government must protect them from foreseeable future harms of climate change, particularly the “catastrophic” damage that could be done if projects that contribute to an increase in the earth’s temperature are permitted to proceed.