The 16 young plaintiffs and their attorneys are trying to persuade a judge that the state’s allegiance to fossil fuel development endangers the young people’s health and livelihoods and those of future generations.
Plaintiffs Mica, 14; Badge 15, Lander 18, and Taleah, 19, listen to arguments during a status hearing on May 12, 2023, in Helena, Mont., for a case that they and other Montana youth filed against the state arguing Montana officials are not meeting their constitutional obligations to protect residents from climate change. The first-of-its-kind trial begins Monday, June 12, 2023, before District Court Judge Kathy Seeley in Helena. It is scheduled to last for two weeks. HELENA, Mont.
The state court case centers on a government’s obligation to protect people against worsening climate change. Experts say it could set a legal precedent but aren’t likely to spur immediate policy changes in fossil fuel-friendly Montana. “It’s stressful,” Held said, her eyes welling with tears, when asked her feelings about climate change. “That’s my life, and my home is there and it impacts the wellbeing of myself, my family, my community.”Montana Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell said during opening arguments that the state had little control over global emissions. The harms alleged by Held and the other plaintiffs can’t be traced to specific actions by state officials, he said.
Judge Seeley has said she could rule that the state’s climate change exception in its environmental law is at odds with its constitution, but she can’t tell the legislature what to do to remedy the violation. Running described an increasingly dire situation of wildfires getting more severe and more frequent in western North America — causing health impacts across the nation — as heavy fossil fuel use continues to churn out emissions at levels problematic for the atmosphere.
Argentina Últimas Noticias, Argentina Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Youth environmentalists bring Montana climate case to trial after 12 years, seeking to set precedentA first-of-its kind trial in Montana will decide if the constitutional right to a healthy, livable climate is protected by state law
Leer más »
Youth environmentalists bring Montana climate case to trial after 12 years, seeking to set precedentA first-of-its kind trial in Montana will decide if the constitutional right to a healthy, livable climate is protected by state law.
Leer más »
A Bellwether Climate Case in Montana Seeks More Action Under State ConstitutionA trial in which plaintiffs are challenging Montana’s fossil-fuel policies under the state’s constitutional guarantee of ‘a clean and healthful environment’ is set to begin Monday
Leer más »
Youth environmentalists bring Montana climate case to trial after 12 years, seeking to set precedentA first-of-its kind trial in Montana will decide if the constitutional right to a healthy, livable climate is protected by state law. Experts say a ruling against the state could set an important legal precedent but is unlikely to change policies in fossil fuel-friendly Montana. Two weeks of testimony starting Monday will include 16 young plaintiffs hoping to call out state officials for promoting policies encouraging oil, gas and coal development while failing to curb planet-warming emissions. Experts for the state are expected to downplay climate change impacts and Montana’s contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Leer más »
Youth environmentalists bring Montana climate case to trial after 12 years, seeking to set precedentWhether a constitutional right to a healthy, livable climate is protected by state law is at the center of a lawsuit going to trial Monday in Montana, where 16 young plaintiffs and their attorneys hope to set an important legal precedent.
Leer más »
Montana youth first to trial over whether state obligated to protect residents from climate changeA group of Montana youth who say their lives are already being affected by climate change and that state government is failing to protect them, are the first of dozens of such efforts to get their lawsuit to trial Monday
Leer más »