A Montana judge has sided with 16 youth activists finding that the state violated their right to a “clean and healthful environment,” which the state constitution guarantees. The activists, between ages 5 and 22, alleged the state’s pro-fossil fuel policies contributed to climate change. “I know that climate change is a global issue, but Montana needs to take responsibility for our part,” lead plaintiff Rikki Held, 22, testified during the trial. Similar cases have been brought forward by youth in other states (Florida, Utah, Virginia, Hawai’i) but this was the first case to go to trial.
FAN has been following another case, Youth v. Gov (a.k.a. Juliana v. United States), and its activists since last year when we held screenings of the documentary explaining their federal case. For ways that you can advocate for youth climate activism, see Our Children’s Trust.