The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) issued a landmark advisory opinion affirming that member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) have a legal obligation to address the climate crisis. The court recognized a human right to a healthy environment, linking climate change mitigation directly to human rights protections. This non-binding opinion, requested by Chile and Colombia, calls on states to enact legislation and take all necessary measures to protect their populations from the impacts of climate change. It also emphasizes the duty of governments to cooperate and avoid actions that undermine environmental protections. The ruling highlights the rights of nature and the responsibilities of states to act immediately and concretely against climate change causes. The United Nations and human rights officials have welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant advancement in climate justice. The advisory opinion is expected to influence legal standards and court decisions across the Americas and beyond, reinforcing that defending the planet is a fundamental democratic right and that states can no longer delay or avoid climate action.