Montana Judge Rules State Violated Rights of Youth Plaintiffs in Landmark Climate Case
In a groundbreaking ruling, a Montana judge has found that the state’s officials violated the rights of young plaintiffs by prioritizing fossil fuel interests over the well-being of future generations. Judge Kathy Seeley’s decision marks the first-ever constitutional climate trial in the United States and has significant implications for the fight against climate change.
In her 103-page ruling, Judge Seeley agreed with the plaintiffs’ argument that additional greenhouse gas emissions will worsen the already negative impacts of climate change. The judge declared that laws preventing regulators from considering the climate crisis in relation to fossil fuel activities are unconstitutional.
The focus of today’s decision is an adjustment made to the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) that prohibits the state from taking into account the effects of fossil fuel activities on climate change. Lawmakers in Montana had changed the provision earlier this year to bar the consideration of emissions in environmental reviews for future energy projects.
According to today’s ruling, The MEPA limitation violates plaintiffs’ right to a clean and healthful environment.
The trial, known as Held v Montana, took place from June 12 to June 20 and featured testimony from 10 expert witnesses on behalf of the young plaintiffs. These witnesses highlighted the negative impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment and public health, including contributing to extreme weather events, wildfires, and the disruption of Indigenous traditions.
State officials now have 60 days to appeal Judge Seeley’s decision to the Montana Supreme Court. However, the ruling is being seen as a major victory by the chief legal counsel for the case, Julia Olson, who is also the executive director of Our Children’s Trust. Olson called the decision a game-changer and a turning point in the fight against human-caused climate chaos.
This historic ruling sets a precedent for similar cases and adds momentum to the ongoing efforts to combat climate change. It sends a resounding message that the rights of future generations to a clean and healthy environment must be prioritized over short-term fossil fuel interests.
The nonprofit organization Our Children’s Trust, which provided assistance in the Montana lawsuit, is involved in several other pending lawsuits. One such case involves a group of Hawaiian teenagers suing the state’s Department of Transportation for failing to take action to mitigate the impact of climate change on the Hawaiian islands. Another significant trial, Juliana v United States, also awaits a hearing.
The ruling in Held v Montana is a significant step forward in the battle against climate change and underscores the importance of collective action to protect the planet for future generations. As fires rage in the West and the devastating effects of climate change become increasingly evident, this decision serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for governments, individuals, and corporations alike to prioritize sustainable practices and work towards a more environmentally friendly future.
