Youth plaintiff Claire testifies in court (Photo by Robin Loznak)
Highlights from Thursday, June 15th:
Youth plaintiff Kian T., 18, was first to take the stand. He described trying to play soccer outdoors in excessive heat. "I have had many, many soccer practices canceled for smoke and heat," he said. "Playing soccer on turf in the heat is miserable. Imagine your feet are boiling in your cleats, burning every single step you take on the field. It burns you out."
The next witness was Anne Hedges, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC). She provided testimony on the actions of the state government to authorize fossil fuel activities, describing the state’s knowledge of the dangers posed by fossil fuels and climate change, as well as specific state policies prohibiting the consideration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in environmental reviews. “If this court declared these anti-climate change analysis laws unconstitutional, it would make a profound difference to mitigate the harm of greenhouse gas emissions,” she said. Asked whether the state had ever denied a permit for a fossil fuel-related project, she responded: "Not to my knowledge."
Youth plaintiff Kian in the courtroom (Photo by Robin Loznak)
Claire V., 20, testified in the afternoon. Asked what winning this lawsuit would mean to her, she said it would be an affirmation that the legal system works the way it's supposed to. In describing some of her own experiences with climate change, Claire said, "When I think about summer, I think about smoke. It sounds like a dystopian movie, but it's real life." She said she found the prospect of a smoke-free summer unimaginable.
The last witness of the day was Peter Erickson, a climate change policy researcher for the Stockholm Environment Institute in Seattle, Washington. He provided expert testimony on Montana’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions - via fossil fuel consumption, extraction, and infrastructure that the state of Montana permits - and how these emissions are both nationally and globally significant. “We are at a decision point about taking action on climate change,” Mr. Erickson said. “The world community has decided we must. Montana continues to issue fossil fuel permits.”
Anne Hedges, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at MEIC provides testimony (Photo by Robin Loznak)
Here’s what we anticipate for Friday, June 16th:
On June 16, the court will hear testimony from Dr. Lise Van Susteren, a psychiatrist and expert on how the climate crisis affects the physical and mental health of youth; Mark Jacobson, Director of the Atmosphere/Energy Program at Stanford University; and youth plaintiffs Olivia and Lander.
Youth plaintiffs Claire and Georgi, along with Our Children’s Trust attorney Mat dos Santos, walk through a corridor of supporters outside the courthouse on Thursday (Photo by Robin Loznak)
Building a Bridge Toward Justice While the testimony of expert witnesses and youth plaintiffs build a bridge in the courtroom between the evidence of climate science and the devastating actions of the state, we turn to you to build a lasting bridge between climate justice and Our Children’s Trust. Please give today.
Want to Learn More About This Historic Trial? Check outbit.ly/MTClimateTrialfor additional photos and videos, links to watch trial LIVE online, and more!
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