Historic case in US: Teens sue Montana for failing to protect citizens from climate change | environment

According to the youth — who are between the ages of 5 and 22 — Montana leaders have failed to meet their constitutional duty to “maintain and improve a clean and healthy Montana environment for present and future generations.” In the future, without state action on climate change, access to clean water will be less, family farms will have a harder time surviving, and hunting traditions may not be able to continue. Many of the young plaintiffs plan to testify themselves.

A case filed in 2020 – will last for two weeks. Opening statements are scheduled for today. A judge will decide at the end of the hearing whether government support for the fossil fuel industry is unconstitutional. Such a ruling could put legal pressure on government leaders of other states to take action.

State leaders have denied the allegations, calling the case a “show trial” and a “gross injustice”. The American magazine ‘The New York Times’ writes that. “Montana’s emissions are too low to make any difference,” Assistant Attorney General Michael Russell said during the state’s opening statement. “Climate change is a global issue that practically relegates Montana’s role to that of a bystander.”

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Still, the effects of climate change in Montana are undeniable: glaciers in Glacier National Park are shrinking and wildfire season is lengthening. Montana residents were exposed to a lot of smoke and Yellowstone National Park was also flooded.

Montana is nicknamed ‘Treasure’ in the US. The state has long made good money from mining. The capital Helena was founded in 1860 by gold miners. Today, Montana is the fifth largest coal producer in the nation and the 12th largest oil producer in the United States.

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Julia Olson, president of the nonprofit Our Children’s Foundation, which helped launch the lawsuit in Montana, said the test could bring about positive change, according to “The New York Times.” According to Olsen, this could set the tone for a new curriculum that ensures a healthy and prosperous future for future generations. “The story being told at trial is an important American story. A dramatic story.”