Glaciers Melt into the Courtroom

This chapter recounts how, in December 2014, Luciano Lliuya filed a climate litigation claim against major greenhouse gas emitter RWE. The narrative describes how he, along with his family and local community, had witnessed dramatic glacial retreat in the Andes, which increased flood risk from Lake Palcacocha. The author participated in early discussions with Germanwatch representatives and observed the preparations that led to the lawsuit. Historical accounts of environmental disasters in the region are presented, emphasizing the long-standing impacts of climate change on local livelihoods and the natural landscape. The chapter details how local concerns, coupled with transnational activism, converged to launch a legal challenge aimed at holding a powerful corporation accountable for its contribution to global warming.