{"id":27935,"date":"2023-08-16T13:07:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T20:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=27935"},"modified":"2023-08-16T13:07:06","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T20:07:06","slug":"montana-judge-hands-young-plaintiffs-significant-victory-in-landmark-climate-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2023\/08\/16\/montana-judge-hands-young-plaintiffs-significant-victory-in-landmark-climate-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Montana judge hands young plaintiffs significant victory in landmark climate trial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Ella<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By Ella Nilsen<\/a>, CNN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updated 9:18 PM EDT, Mon August 14, 2023 (CNN.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Youth<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Youth plaintiffs are greeted by supporters at Montana’s First Judicial District Court in June.William Campbell\/Getty ImagesCNN \u2014 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Montana judge handed a significant victory on Monday to more than a dozen young plaintiffs<\/a> in the nation\u2019s first constitutional climate trial<\/a>, as extreme weather becomes more deadly and scientists warn the climate crisis is eroding our environment and natural resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a case that could have legal reverberations for other climate litigation, District Court Judge Kathy Seeley ruled that Montana\u2019s continued development of fossil fuels violates a clause in its state constitution that guarantees its citizens the right to a \u201cclean and healthful environment.\u201d Montana is one of several states that have explicit environmental guarantees written into their state constitutions.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Montana's<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>The ‘climate kids’ want a court to force Montana’s state government to go green<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Seeley\u2019s ruling won\u2019t prevent mining or burning fossil fuels in the state, it will reverse a recently passed state law that prohibits state agencies from considering planet-warming pollution when permitting fossil fuel projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also a landmark win for young climate advocates who are turning more to the courts for judgments on the causes and impacts of the climate crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlaintiffs have a fundamental constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment, which includes climate as part of the environmental life support system,\u201d Seeley wrote in her order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rikki Held, one of the plaintiffs, told CNN\u2019s Jake Tapper on \u201cThe Lead\u201d the outcome was \u201ca long time coming\u201d and she was very excited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGetting a ruling that listens to our stories and our voices and the best available science is just really important,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Claire<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Video Ad Feedback<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montana kids challenge state over fossil fuels<\/p>\n\n\n\n

03:50 – Source: CNN<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attorneys for the plaintiffs called the court\u2019s decision a \u201csweeping win\u201d in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, for the first time in US history, a court ruled on the merits of a case that the government violated the constitutional rights of children through laws and actions that promote fossil fuels, ignore climate change, and disproportionately imperil young people,\u201d said Julia Olson, chief legal counsel and executive director of Our Children\u2019s Trust. \u201cThis is a huge win for Montana, for youth, for democracy, and for our climate. More rulings like this will certainly come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olson told Tapper she thinks the ruling will hamper the state\u2019s ability to approve fossil fuel projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe judge says it\u2019s unconstitutional to continue to do so. And the state\u2019s going to have to look hard at continuing to allow fossil fuel development and emissions in Montana going forward,\u201d Olson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A judge rules in favor of young plaintiffs in a Montana climate trial pic.twitter.com\/LWr9l4J1vm<\/a>\u2014 The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 14, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A judge rules in favor of young plaintiffs in a Montana climate trial pic.twitter.com\/LWr9l4J1vm<\/a><\/p>— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 14, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>