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

Kian T.

Age: 14
Hometown: Bigfork, Montana

From a young age, Kian has known about the dangers of climate change, including how it would impact his life, and the places he loves in his home state of Montana. It started when he was seven or eight. Kian remembers watching his dad’s nonprofit film a video of hunters and anglers, sitting around an outdoor fire pit as they discussed climate change.

Kian has been fly fishing since he was four years old. He considers it part of his cultural heritage and family traditions. The trout he fishes for are severely impacted by warming water temperatures and diminished flows.

In addition to fly fishing, Kian enjoys camping, hiking, and playing soccer – all outdoor activities impacted by poor air quality and other devastating climate impacts in Montana – and is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

The choices my state government makes that favor fossil fuels makes climate change worse and makes it clear to me that they are not taking their job seriously.

Extreme heat, and smoke from increased wildfires, have made it difficult for me to pursue many of my favorite pastimes.

—Kian T.