The complaint by an association of more than 2,500 women against the Swiss State represents a historic extension of human rights to the environmental issue. The case tells us about the other great struggle of our time: the battle for universalism, human rights and the global governance institutions that protect them.

The ruling is an example of more things, such as geographical solidarity: the rich country must step up to the plate to set an example. There are activists in the reviled global north who are fighting for transnational institutions to force rich states to develop a global climate consciousness. The example shows that the idea that the fight for climate is for young people is a fallacy. It is just the beginning of an escalation of climate litigation that will shape the scope of what David Lizoain calls “climate crime” Does it sound exaggerated? Well, it's here, and the best thing about the Swiss case is that there have been 2, 500 ladies who, fed up with their timid representatives, have transformed their fury into citizen mobilization.