In Feb of 2023, an historical youth-led climate change lawsuit will go to trial in Montana. A similar lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, was filed in Oregon in 2015, but has not yet been given a trial date. Held v. State of Montana lawsuit was filed in 2020 by 16 young plaintiffs, survived a move to dismiss the case in 2021, and is scheduled to begin February 6, 2023. The youth have sued the state of Montana over its energy policy.
Montana is one of only 6 states that have environmental rights included in their state constitution. The young plaintiffs are contending that fossil fuel dependence accelerates climate change and infringes on the right to a clean and healthful environment.
Christi Cooper, a graduate of the MFA program at MSU, directed an award-winning documentary, “Youth v. Gov”. This film follows the multi- year journey of the original lawsuit, Juliana v. U.S.
These American youth claim that the U.S. government has violated their constitutional rights to life, liberty, personal safety and property through willful actions that have created the climate crisis.
Youth v. Gov has been screened around the world, and will now be available on Netflix beginning April 29th. www.youthvgovfilm.com
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