AN INCREDIBLE WIN TODAY!

 We received an incredible victory in Held v. State of Montana today! The Supreme Court fully affirmed the district court order, a resounding 6-1 win. The public health amicus brief was the only amicus brief, of the 20 filed, that was cited by the Supreme Court .
Today, the highest court of Montana agreed: Children have fundamental rights to a safe and livable climate!!

A review:  Held v MT was the first constitutional climate case to go to trial in the US, in June 2023. 16 Montana youth held their government accountable for harming their fundamental rights to health, safety, liberty, dignity, equal protection of the law, and a clean and healthful environment. Three MT HPHC members were involved with the case.  The case was won, but appealed to the Montana Supreme COurt. Our youth clients’ voices were heard. The Montana Supreme Court has upheld science-based protections for a safe and healthy climate, affirming that fossil fuel pollution is incompatible with children’s constitutional rights and that an environmental life support system includes a stable climate system.  

This landmark decision is now firmly embedded in Montana’s constitutional law, ensuring that no politician can revoke these protections, today or in the future. 
Fifteen years ago, Our Children’s Trust boldly represented the first young people to assert their constitutional climate rights. Today, that spark has ignited a global movement.