A victory for Montanans’ right to a clean, healthy environment could set a precedent for other climate lawsuits nationwide.
by Katie Myers, Grist
A state judge in Montana gave climate activists a decisive win on Monday when she ruled that the state’s support of fossil fuels violates their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.
District Court Judge Kathy Seeley struck down as unconstitutional a state policy barring consideration of the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions in fossil fuel permitting. Her ruling establishes legal protection against broad harms caused by climate change and enshrines a state right to a world free from those harms, creating a potential foundation for future lawsuits across the country.
“We are heard!” Kian Tanner, one of the 16 youth plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said in a statement. He grew up near the Flathead River and testified to watching wildfires come ever closer to his home each year. “Frankly the elation and joy in my heart is overwhelming in the best way. We set the precedent not only for the United States, but for the world.”
The case was the first of its kind to reach trial. Seeley’s decision adds to a growing number of rulings that say governments have a responsibility to protect citizens from climate change. The timing of her verdict — coinciding with major wildfires and heatwaves that have taken lives worldwide — couldn’t be more poignant, said Julia Olson. She is the chief legal counsel and executive director of Our Children’s Trust, which has brought similar suits in all 50 states.
Recent Posts
Leading Papers Call For Destroying Iran To Save It
Take Action Now The opinion pages of the New York Times and Washington Post are offering facile humanitarian arguments for the US to escalate its…
Despite Marco Rubio’s Warnings, This is the Time to Go to Cuba in Solidarity Against the Latest U.S. Aggressions
Take Action Now When visiting Cuba, one can see quickly the terrible effects of the almost seven decades of the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba.By…
“Hands Off Cuba!”: Left Groups in Europe Mobilize Against U.S. Aggression
Take Action Now Hundreds demonstrated in Belgium in solidarity with Cuba as further mobilizations against US imperialism are planned across Europe.……
Democrats Propose Minor Reforms for ICE — and Record Funding
Take Action Now Congressional Democratic leaders are asking ICE to agree to reforms, promising to vote for $11 billion in funding for the agency if…