Montana youth are taking the state to court!

Held v. State of Montana is a youth-led constitutional climate lawsuit filed by 16 young people across the state of Montana on March 13, 2020. The plaintiffs argue that Montana is violating their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment by supporting a fossil fuel-driven energy system, and that the state’s energy system is degrading and depleting Montana’s constitutionally protected public trust resources.

The case became historic when Judge Kathy Seeley ruled on August 4, 2021 that the youth plaintiffs could proceed to trial, making Held v. State of Montana the first children’s climate trial in U.S. history!

The trial is scheduled for February 6-17, 2023.

Learn more about the case and ways to support the youth plaintiffs here.

Youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana. Photo from Our Children’s Trust.