The trial, which began June 12 and will last through June 23 in Helena, Montana, is the first climate change trial in a series of similar cases pending in other states. “The historic trial is intended to increase pressure on policymakers to take more urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” The New York Times reported.

The lawsuit is called “Hold v. Montana.” The plaintiffs, 16 teenagers between the ages of 5 and 22, allege the dangerous impact of fossil fuels and the climate crisis on them—children who are vulnerable to the worsening effects of climate change.

The first plaintiff to be called to the stand on June 12 was 22-year-old Rikki Held, whose family owns a ranch in eastern Montana. She testified about how her family has been directly affected by wildfires, extreme weather and droughts that have become more frequent in Montana, which is known for its lush landscape. “I know climate change is a global issue, but the state of Montana has a part to play in this,” Rikki said in court. “We can’t ignore this and do nothing.”

The environmental science graduate specifically mentioned the wildfires that destroyed high-voltage power lines and knocked out power to her family’s farm for a month, causing livestock to die because they couldn’t pump water. “By 2021, the smoke and ash from the fires had saturated the air all summer,” Rikki noted.

The first climate change lawsuit trial in Montana on June 12. Photo: nytimes.com

The lawsuit centers on a provision of the state constitution that requires “the State and its people to maintain and improve upon the clean and healthy environment of Montana for present and future generations,” according to The New York Times. The plaintiffs also challenge the constitutionality of a Montana law that prohibits local governments from considering climate impacts when deciding whether to grant permits to fossil fuel companies. The plaintiffs do not seek any damages in their lawsuit, but they do ask that the state issue a declaration that outlines the rights of residents that have been violated, which should be the first step toward legislative action.

Defending the plaintiffs, attorney Roger Sullivan spoke at the trial, highlighting the impact of global warming on Montana youth. “Heat, drought, wildfires, air pollution, severe storms, the disappearance of local wildlife, melting glaciers, loss of breadwinners and family and cultural traditions,” he listed, adding medical and psychological damage.

In addition, the attorney also argued that Montana has a disastrous energy policy, releasing 166 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, equivalent to a country like Argentina, while Montana has only about a million people. Meanwhile, climatologist Steve Running also presented scientific evidence of human responsibility for global warming. For example, Montana is experiencing shorter winters, which lengthens the wildfire season.

Montana had previously tried to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds of procedural errors. However, on June 6, the state's supreme court gave the green light for the trial to begin. The New York Times reported that there are dozens of lawsuits across the United States against fossil fuel companies for their environmental impact. Alice Hill, a former climate adviser under President Barack Obama and a member of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, emphasized: "When it comes to climate action, American justice has never been more relevant."

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