In one of our latest issues of Environmental Heroes, we informed you about the lawsuit filed by 16 young activists, ages 5 to 22, alleging that Montana’s pro-fossil fuel policies contributed to climate change. Well, at the end of the trial, the judge sided with the plaintiff activists!
District Court Judge Kathy Seeley held that Montana’s approval process for fossil fuel permits was unconstitutional because it didn't consider and evaluate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. In deciding whether to build projects like new power plants, Montana’s 2011 state law made it illegal for environmental reviews to consider climate impacts. This law conflicted with a 50-year-old clause in the state’s constitution guaranteeing the "state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.” In siding with the young activists, Judge Seely wrote: "Montana's emissions and climate change have been proven to be a substantial factor in causing climate impacts to Montana's environment" and “Plaintiffs have proven that as children and youth, they are disproportionately harmed by fossil fuel pollution and climate impacts." As expected, the state attorney general plans to appeal the ruling. That appeal will certainly attract strong opposition given that Montana is the fourth largest producer of coal which brings in millions of dollars in revenue and many high paying jobs.
Irrespective of the outcome on appeal, the real victory here is 16 young activists getting the attention of the entire state of Montana with this lawsuit. Similar cases will soon be heard in several other states and countries. Hopefully, these young people will have sparked many others to act when they perceive something is so obviously wrong. And hopefully, these young activists have shown all of us that we really do have a voice for change, and that we all should find some way to use our voices. But today, these young people are environmental heroes.
Sources:
Image Source: GETTY IMAGES
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66505659
https://mailchi.mp/insideclimatenews/montana-youths-big-climate-win?e=276ce8f50f
https://nicenews.com/
