Youth Plaintiffs

Held youth plaintiffs’ voices and power resonated around the globe as they took the stand and held their government accountable to protect their rights to a safe climate, and a livable future.

YOUTH plaintiff

Claire V.

Age: 17
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana

Since middle school, Claire has been taking action to address the climate crisis. She started a Solar Club and raised enough money to install solar panels on the roof of her school. However, due to a cap on solar power in the state’s law, Claire’s school was not able to run solely on renewable energy. It was at that young age that Claire had her first experience with how her state government has impeded climate solutions.

Growing up in Bozeman, her favorite activities have always been outdoors – skiing, biking, running, and hiking. Seasonally, she works as a ski instructor at a ski resort. However, due to decreasing snowpack, Claire’s shifts are oftentimes canceled, negatively impacting her ability to work and make money. Declining snowpack and drought conditions also reducing water flow through Bozeman Creek, which is the main water source for her family and their garden.

I do have hope that a successful outcome in this case will make a difference in Montana and help shift the state away from fossil fuels. If we win, it would restore some of my lost confidence in my state government and allow me to feel more optimistic about my future.

I am experiencing climate dangers getting worse each year, but my state government keeps pushing for more fossil fuels extraction and burning.

—Claire V.
see what happened at trial

q&a

  • At what point did you know climate activism was for you?
  • What inspired you to join this lawsuit?
  • You just won your case. How does it feel to be at this moment?
  • How has working with Our Children’s Trust impacted you?
  • What would you say to those who feel they cannot make a difference?

I wouldn’t call myself a climate activist by any means, but I’ve cared about the environment as long as I can remember. Growing up in Montana it’s hard not to care about the land and all that it offers. It’s a big part of my identity. I want to do everything I can to protect it.

When I was in middle school, I raised money for solar panels. Since then, I’ve learned how important climate work is and how doable it is as a young person. When I learned about the Juliana case, I was so impressed with what young people were doing. When something similar came to my home state,
I jumped on it.

It feels really great to be validated in the ways that climate change has impacted me. It feels incredible to be heard finally. I’m really excited about this decision, but I know this isn’t the finish line. We’re just getting started and this is just a step in the journey.

Working with Our Children’s Trust has been nothing but valuable. I’ve met some incredible people who inspire me to continue pursuing things that are challenging, including speaking up for myself as a young person and challenging my government.

It’s tough to feel like what you do and say matters, especially when the power seems to feel like it’s always in the hands of government officials or people much older than you who don’t understand the same issues as you. It’s very important to continue pursuing your passions even in moments when it feels like no one is listening because they usually are.

press & media

PBS June 19, 2023 PBS NewsHour Live CNN June 16, 2023 The ‘climate kids’ want a court to force Montana’s state government to go green Time December 12, 2023 Youth Climate Activist Claire Vlases Accepts TIME Earth Award After Major Legal Victory