montana youth win

In a historic first, Judge Kathy Seeley ruled wholly in favor of the 16 youth in Held v. State of Montana

In March 2020, 16 young people from across the state of Montana filed a constitutional climate lawsuit against their own state government.

They sued because their government has been promoting and supporting the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, worsening the climate crisis, and harming the youth. They sued because their state government has been violating the youth’s equal rights to a healthy environment, life, dignity, and freedom.

They turned to the courts to protect their rights, asking a judge to declare that Montana’s fossil fuel energy policies and actions violate the youth’s state constitutional rights.

From June 12—20, 2023, the eyes of the world were on Helena, Montana as the youth plaintiffs brought their case to court for the first ever constitutional climate trial in U.S. history.

Alongside renowned experts and witnesses, twelve of the youth took the stand and testified about how they are being harmed by their own government’s policies that ignore climate change and promote the use of fossil fuels.

Montanans from across the state gathered in Helena to cheer on the youth and pack the courtroom, while thousands more watched trial proceedings live online.

In August 2023, Judge Kathy Seeley ruled wholly in favor of the youth, enshrining into law science-based protections for children’s fundamental rights.

Filing Date

3/13/20

Judge

kathy seeley

Location

helena, mt

Days of Trial

7

Plaintiffs

16

Experts

12

Counsel

4

Co-Counsel

3

25

Montana organizations powered democracy, adopting days of trial filling the courtroom, cheering on the Plaintiffs, and hosting events

358

total pieces of global media coverage told the story of Held from trial to decision

683

pages were submitted to the court in the form of expert reports distilling decades of scientific research into understandable content

what’s next?

On July 10, 2024, counsel for the youth plaintiffs appeared before the Montana Supreme Court, asking the Court to affirm the August 2023 District Court ruling that declared that the state of Montana’s laws that require it to turn a blind eye to young people’s climate injuries while promoting fossil fuel activities violate their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment, including a livable climate, their dignity, safety, and equal protection of the law. The youth plaintiffs now await a ruling from the Montana Supreme Court.

act now

Join our
community!

Support our youth climate leaders making history in our courts. Learn how we will power forward together! Receive our monthly newsletter, case updates and breaking news straight to your inbox.

Power the future.
Donate today.

Together we will build the resources needed to bring waves of state cases across the country, and power litigation that honors science and human rights around the globe.

Take action!

There are many ways you can support our work and the young people standing up for their rights to a livable future.