Our Children's Trust

The Montana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this week in the appeal of the youth-led climate case Held v. Montana. Sixteen youth plaintiffs sued the state — and won — for violating their constitutional right to a clean environment by failing to address climate change.

A district court judge in Montana handed down a landmark decision Monday, ruling that the state violated its own Constitution by failing to consider fossil fuels’ contribution to climate change. Sixteen young people sued the state over its promotion of fossil fuel-based energy.

A Montana judge is telling state attorneys to continue preparing for trial after they argued to stop a lawsuit brought by children challenging energy and climate policies.

Sixteen youth plaintiffs are suing the state of Montana for their right to access a clean and healthful environment in a case scheduled to go to trial next year.

Edit March 23: A correction version of this story clarified the judgement of the 2011 case mentioned. Environmental activist groups representing 16...