The Youth Who Won Climate Lawsuit in Montana are Setting a Precedent
December 16, 2023 | Source: One Green Planet | by Nicholas Vincent
In an unprecedented legal battle, a group of 16 young activists, aged between 5 and 22, challenged the state of Montana’s approach to climate change—and won. Their victory in the landmark case, Held v. State of Montana, is not just a triumph for them but a beacon of hope for future generations.
The case, which began in 2020, centered on the plaintiffs’ argument that Montana was violating their constitutional right to a clean environment by not considering the climate impact of fossil-fuel projects. In a groundbreaking decision on August 14, a judge ruled in their favor, mandating that Montana must account for climate change in its fossil-fuel project decisions. This ruling, although appealed by the state attorney general, marks a significant step in environmental litigation.
The young plaintiffs, interviewed by 13-year-old Kid Reporter Ninis Twumasi for TIME for Kids, shared their motivations and experiences. Sariel Sandoval, 20, a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, saw the lawsuit as a chance to represent her community and hold the state accountable. Claire Vlases, also 20, studying at c, was driven by her love for her home state and a desire to take action where legislation had failed.