Spotlight on Montana constitutional climate trial

June 12, Montana will be in the national spotlight as the first ever constitutional climate trial — Held v. the State of Montana — takes place in Helena. National attention to our state is increasing, as 16 youth, representing different rural and urban communities in Montana, assert that the government is violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment and their opportunity to seek safety, health, happiness, and equal protection of the law.

The case builds on years of legal work culminating in a federal court ruling stating that “a stable climate system, capa...