Imagine being a farmer in a quiet Peruvian village, your home tucked beneath towering Andes glaciers. Now imagine those glaciers melting, threatening to flood everything you’ve ever known. That’s the reality for Saúl Lliuya, a man who dared to take his fight across the world to a courtroom in Germany, facing down a massive energy company he believes is partly to blame.

On May 28, 2025, the court in Hamm delivered its verdict: Saúl’s case was dismissed. They said the flood risk to his land wasn’t pressing enough to hold the company accountable. But here’s where the story turns. Even though Saúl didn’t win, the court did something groundbreaking—it acknowledged that companies could be responsible for their role in climate change. That’s a spark of hope, a crack in the armor of untouchable corporations.

For nearly a decade, Saúl poured his heart into this fight. He argued that the company’s emissions helped warm the planet, speeding up the melt of glaciers above his village. The loss stings, but Saúl sees a bigger win. “This is just the beginning,” he said, his voice steady with resolve. He’s right. Lawyers and activists are buzzing, saying this ruling could light the way for others—people from small towns, coastal communities, or anywhere climate change hits hardest—to demand justice.

Want to hear more about everyday heroes taking on climate change? Check out atttimes for stories of people fighting for a better planet.

Saúl’s courage reminds us that one person, even from a tiny mountain village, can shake the world. His fight isn’t over, and neither is the hope he’s kindled for a fairer, greener future.