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Hi friends,

Here is the closing argument for the youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of M=
ontana, delivered by Nate Bellinger, Senior Staff Attorney for Our Children=
's Trust, on June 20, 2023:



=20

"Thank you, Your Honor. May it please the Court: I want to begin by thankin=
g you and the Court=E2=80=99s staff for accommodating all of us over the pa=
st week and making this courtroom accessible to the broader public.

Taleah said that it was a privilege for her to be able to share her story i=
n this courthouse: a place of public and legal significance. This is a sent=
iment echoed by all of the youth Plaintiffs and they wanted you to know how=
honored they were to participate in this venerated process and to finally =
have the chance to be heard after three long years.

This case is about 16 brave Montanans: Rikki, Grace, Eva, Badge, Mica, Ruby=
, Lilian, Sariel, Taleah, Georgi, Kian, Claire, Olivia, Lander, Nate, and J=
effrey, and the harms they have each endured at the hands of their own gove=
rnment. After hearing from world-renowned experts on climate science and me=
dical professionals, there is no doubt that Montana should be protecting th=
ese young people and future generations to come.

A stable climate system is integral to each and every one of the constituti=
onal rights that have been implicated in this proceeding. And Plaintiffs ha=
ve established=E2=80=93through overwhelming evidence=E2=80=93that their rig=
hts have been violated. Central to this violation is the MEPA Limitation an=
d its implementation, forcing Montana=E2=80=99s agencies to turn a blind ey=
e to climate change=E2=80=99s catastrophic impacts and the mounting greenho=
use gas (GHG) emissions driving these unnatural, wholly avoidable injuries.

You=E2=80=99ve heard the state say this is a boring case about a procedural=
law. But to the contrary, this is about the Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 lives, the=
ir livelihoods, and their future.

Like other monumental constitutional cases before it, Held v. State of Mont=
ana comes to this Court because of a pervasive, systemic infringement of ri=
ghts. These 16 young people shouldered the responsibility to come here to s=
hare intimate stories of their harms; they don=E2=80=99t ask for money, but=
instead ask only that their government embrace its constitutional responsi=
bility to alleviate the harm of its own conduct. The state argues that the =
climate crisis is a global problem. Plaintiffs localize this harm in their =
backyards of felled, diseased trees; the melting of majestic glaciers; big =
skies full of choking smoke; and rivers that run dry. The climate crisis is=
at home in Montana and it diminishes the lives of each and every one of th=
e Plaintiffs.

The Plaintiffs spoke of their deep love for Montana and said this case is f=
or every Montanan, and the shared values of the people of this state. They =
said they are just 16 voices speaking for thousands.

They said that this case is about responsibility and opportunity. They know=
the transition to clean, renewable energy is coming =E2=80=93 but they spo=
ke of how proud they would be if it was their state that led the transition=
. And they know what their experts and the IPCC say with =E2=80=9Cvery high=
confidence:=E2=80=9D the window is rapidly closing to address climate chan=
ge.=20

The Plaintiffs acknowledged that the work to stop and reverse climate chang=
e will be a lifetime journey, but they are asking this Court for help. They=
are asking this Court to alleviate their harms, harms the Court heard deta=
iled last week.=20

They know the rest of the world is watching, and that future generations wi=
ll look back on this historic trial. They say their case, Held v. Montana, =
is not just about past harms suffered, but about hope for the future. It is=
a case that will lay the groundwork for other children to enjoy the full w=
onder of this world.

Clean and Healthful Environment

Over the course of this trial Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 experts, including Montan=
a=E2=80=99s top climate scientists, Drs. Steven Running and Cathy Whitlock,=
described how Montana=E2=80=99s once clean and healthful environment is ex=
periencing unprecedented degradation. For Grace, Taleah, Claire, and Kian, =
this means that the forests, glaciers, and rivers they depend on are being =
depleted. Claire told the Court how her well-being and ability to walk is d=
eeply intertwined with the quality of Montana=E2=80=99s clean and healthful=
environment. The abundant evidence shows that Defendants=E2=80=99 promotio=
n of fossil fuels, while ignoring the attendant climate impacts, violates P=
laintiffs=E2=80=99 fundamental right to a clean and healthful environment, =
secured by Article II, Section 3 and Article IX, Section 1=E2=80=94which st=
and as =E2=80=9Canticipatory and preventative.=E2=80=9D Defendants presente=
d no evidence to dispute Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 showing, nor did they provide =
any evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify the infringe=
ment of this right and overcome strict scrutiny. This is in the face of the=
MEPA Limitation which affirmatively prohibits agencies from gathering info=
rmation on impacts that have been proved to be causing grievous harms to th=
e Plaintiffs; without this limitation, Defendants told the Court, MEPA woul=
d allow them to make decisions informed by the consequences of climate chan=
ge.

Public Trust=20

The Court also heard expert testimony from renowned ecologists Dr. Daniel F=
agre and Dr. Jack Stanford, who explained how Glacier National Park=E2=80=
=99s 26 remaining glaciers sit at the top of the water tower, dangerously c=
lose to depletion. Water is the quintessential public trust resource, but r=
ising temperatures are melting Montana=E2=80=99s glaciers, and changing pre=
cipitation trends are fundamentally altering the water tower and the vast e=
cosystems that depend on it. These changes threaten the ability of Plaintif=
fs like Georgi, Lander, and Badge to continue fishing and rafting on Montan=
a=E2=80=99s once pristine rivers that have become sickly hot or slowed to a=
trickle. Again, the evidence shows that Defendants=E2=80=99 ongoing promot=
ion of fossil fuels, while ignoring greenhouse gas emissions and climate im=
pacts, is substantially impairing Montana=E2=80=99s public trust resources =
in violation of Article IX, Sections 1 and 3. Not only did Defendants fail =
to present any evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify t=
he infringement of the state=E2=80=99s public trust resources and overcome =
strict scrutiny=E2=80=93they did not even mention the public trust.

Dignity=20

During the trial we also heard Indigenous Plaintiffs describe how Montana=
=E2=80=99s changing climate is impacting their ability to tell seasonally a=
ttuned Salish creation stories; how ceremonies central to Crow traditions a=
re disturbed by extreme heat and smoke; and how the traditional food source=
s of many tribes are made scarce by drought. Mr. Michael Durglo Jr. shared =
how Montana=E2=80=99s changing climate was interrupting nature=E2=80=99s cy=
cles, cycles that have been observed by Indigenous people and passed down t=
hrough oral traditions for millennia. These tribal practices, which are an =
integral part of Sariel=E2=80=99s, Ruby=E2=80=99s, and Lillian=E2=80=99s cu=
ltural dignity and spirituality, are being imperiled by changing precipitat=
ion patterns and declining snowpack. Plaintiffs have presented evidence tha=
t their very dignity, their intrinsic worth, and their right to practice cu=
ltural and spiritual beliefs under Article II, Section 4 is being violated =
by Defendants=E2=80=99 ongoing promotion of fossil fuels, while ignoring gr=
eenhouse gas emissions and the worsening climate impacts. Defendants presen=
ted no evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify this infr=
ingement of the right to dignity and overcome strict scrutiny.

Equal Protection

Meanwhile unrefuted testimony from medical experts Dr. Lori Byron and Dr. L=
ise Van Susteren shows that children, including these Plaintiffs, are dispr=
oportionately harmed by climate change and will face life-long hardships wi=
thout urgent steps to address the cause of their injuries. Article II, Sect=
ion 15 explicitly protects children under the age of 18 and the evidence be=
fore the Court demonstrates that children deserve protected status in cases=
where government conduct harms them, including here, where the state appro=
ves every fossil fuel permit with zero consideration of the harm to childre=
n. This evidence compels a finding that Plaintiffs are a protected class, a=
nd Defendants=E2=80=99 ongoing promotion of fossil fuels, while ignoring th=
e climate impacts, is violating their fundamental rights to equal protectio=
n under Article II, Section 4. Defendants presented no evidence of a compel=
ling state interest that would justify the infringement of this fundamental=
right to equal protection and overcome strict scrutiny.

Health, Safety, and Happiness

We=E2=80=99ve also heard testimony from Plaintiffs, including Olivia, Eva a=
nd Rikki, about how their right to health, safety, and happiness, secured b=
y Article II, Section 3, is being infringed as a consequence of the climate=
crisis. Eva=E2=80=99s home and community remains at risk from extreme floo=
ding events. Rikki has had to work in 110-degree heat and smoke-filled skie=
s on her family=E2=80=99s ranch. Increased pollen count causes allergic rea=
ctions so strong that Olivia=E2=80=99s eyes can be bloodshot and swollen fo=
r weeks at a time. These are just a few examples of the many injuries evide=
nced to violate Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 right to health, safety, and happiness.=
Yet again, Defendants presented no evidence of a compelling state interest=
that would justify the infringement of these fundamental rights and overco=
me strict scrutiny.

In order to acknowledge the full range of harms and constitutional injuries=
these Plaintiffs endure, it is critical that the Court address each of Pla=
intiffs=E2=80=99 constitutional claims. These are distinct constitutional i=
njuries, and each should be declared and remedied.=20

In response, Defendants argue that Montana=E2=80=99s GHG emissions don=E2=
=80=99t matter. But irrefutable expert testimony affirms that Montana=E2=80=
=99s greenhouse gas emissions are substantial; Montana=E2=80=99s contributi=
on to anthropogenic climate change harms the Plaintiffs; and the impacts of=
Montana=E2=80=99s emissions are both local and immediate as well as global=
and long-lasting. Every ton matters. Defendants have presented no scientif=
ic evidence to the contrary. Defendants=E2=80=99 sole witness to discuss GH=
G emissions, Dr. Terry Anderson, merely calculated, albeit incorrectly, Mon=
tana=E2=80=99s percentage of total global greenhouse gas emissions per year=
.

On the other hand, Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 expert testimony makes clear that wi=
thout science-based steps to reduce Montana=E2=80=99s GHG emissions, the ha=
rms Plaintiffs are already experiencing will just keep getting worse.=20

But the evidence also makes clear that it is not too late to avoid the most=
catastrophic and irreversible climate impacts. As Dr. Jacobson explained, =
Montana can meet all its energy needs with renewable energy sources, while =
at the same time reducing energy costs, saving lives, and cleaning up Monta=
na=E2=80=99s skies. Solutions to the climate crisis are available right now=
and the only thing standing in the way are government laws that perpetuate=
Montana=E2=80=99s fossil fuel-energy system.=20

Stable Climate System =20

Plaintiffs are asking this Court to declare that a stable climate system is=
fundamental:

to the protection of their rights to a clean and healthful environment;

to the preservation of public trust resources;

to protect their rights for equal protection and individual dignity; and

to seek safety, health and happiness.

Constitutional Standard

As Constitutional Delegate Mae Nan Ellingson said in 1972, the Constitution=
would not detail what =E2=80=9Cclean=E2=80=9D or =E2=80=9Chealthful=E2=80=
=9D meant, but she guaranteed that the courts could tell us how to understa=
nd and enforce this =E2=80=9Canticipatory and preventative=E2=80=9D provisi=
on. This Court heard undisputed testimony from multiple experts that in ord=
er to restore Earth=E2=80=99s Energy Balance and secure a stable climate sy=
stem, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere mus=
t be reduced to no more than 350 parts per million by 2100. Given this unco=
ntroverted evidence, this Court should declare that 350 ppm is the constitu=
tional standard necessary to protect a stable climate system. Declaring thi=
s constitutional standard will provide a clear target for Defendants when c=
onducting their MEPA analyses and making future energy permitting decisions=
under their statutory authority.=20

Final Judgment

This Court=E2=80=99s final judgment should conform to the evidence presente=
d at trial, which shows that both the 2011 and 2023 versions of MEPA are un=
constitutional. It also shows that the provision of SB 557, which Defendant=
s have interjected into this case, and which prohibits courts from vacating=
or voiding permits based on GHG emissions or climate change, is unconstitu=
tional.=20

Defendants would have this Court believe that they have no authority to imp=
lement the permitting statutes to include an analysis of climate change or =
GHG emissions necessary to abide by the constitutional mandate to protect a=
clean and healthful environment. Such a construction is absurd and would r=
ender the permitting statutes unconstitutional. Defendants must either have=
discretion to deny or condition permits when environmental reviews reveal =
harms that arise to the level of constitutional violations, or the permitti=
ng statutes themselves are unconstitutional.

In closing, Your Honor, it=E2=80=99s worth remembering other times in our n=
ation=E2=80=99s history when the political process didn=E2=80=99t work to p=
rotect people=E2=80=99s basic human rights. Segregation, women=E2=80=99s ri=
ghts, equal and adequate public schooling, marriage=E2=80=94time and time a=
gain, the political will of powerful majorities was struck down by courts, =
based on the compelling evidence before them, courageously correcting the i=
njustices thrust on the people. Today, the injustice squarely before this C=
ourt is the proven harms of these young people wrought by climate change ca=
used by a fossil fuel-based energy system imposed and perpetuated through t=
he law.

The state says this fight is reserved for the legislature, but we live in a=
constitutional democracy where fundamental rights are not subject to elect=
ions and Defendants do not have the discretion to authorize unconstitutiona=
l conduct. Montana=E2=80=99s long-standing energy system, which the MEPA Li=
mitation is a part of, violates Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 fundamental constitutio=
nal rights, and when constitutional rights are infringed, the Courts have a=
duty to provide redress.

Today, before you are 16 young Montanans who are relying on this Court to g=
rant them necessary, equitable relief. This Court can and should declare th=
eir equal right to a clean and healthful environment, dignity, health, safe=
ty, and happiness. And this Court can and should enjoin any state action or=
law that violates Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 fundamental rights. In this ruling, =
Plaintiffs find relief and hope in their future in this great state of Mont=
ana.

Thank you, Your Honor."

=20



Copyright =C2=A9 2023 Our Children's Trust. All rights reserved.
OCT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. EIN # 27-3094382

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lative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font-family: Geo=
rgia,serif; min-height: 16px;">=20
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<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
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<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last" style=3D"w=
ord-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: Geo=
rgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; margin: 0 auto;=
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ord-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-family: Geo=
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ing: 0; border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; p=
adding: 0; position: relative; width: 100%; display: table; margin: 0; Marg=
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e=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-famil=
y: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-size=
: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: break=
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se: collapse; padding-top: 24px; padding-bottom: 24px;">
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
t.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/ourchildrenstrust/images/_CROPPED%20OCT_You=
th_V_Gov_logo_Full%20Color.png" alt=3D"OCT Logo.png" width=3D"600" align=3D=
"center" style=3D"outline: none; text-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-m=
ode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clear: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto;=
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o]></center><![end-if]-->
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border-collapse: collapse; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding: =
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ackground-color: #FFFFFF; font-family: Georgia,serif;">=20
<tbody>
<tr style=3D"padding: 0; vertical-align: top; text-align: left=
;">=20
<th class=3D"columns small-12 large-12 first last default" st=
yle=3D"word-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: top; color: #3c4144; font-fam=
ily: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; text-align: left; font-si=
ze: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; word-break: bre=
ak-word; width: 564px; padding-left: 24px; padding-right: 24px; border-coll=
apse: collapse; padding-top: 24px; padding-bottom: 24px;"><p style=3D"color=
: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin=
: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin=
-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">Hi fri=
ends,</span></p> <p class=3D"align-left" style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-fami=
ly: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; te=
xt-align: left;"><span style=3D"font-size: 12pt;"><span style=3D"color: #09=
b29d;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">Here is the <span style=3D"text-deco=
ration: underline; color: #09b29d;"><strong><a style=3D"font-family: Georgi=
a,serif; font-weight: inherit; padding: 0; text-align: left; line-height: 1=
.5; color: #09b29d; text-decoration: underline;" title=3D"closing statement=
" href=3D"[link removed]
Bhe0c8Rr-CJcfEZa4k-p2dqiZPH1eWjE=3D/lY47y5p06Wi-pJ_nBstJQe5taDVNAzcac7-A7ES=
nEv8=3D" target=3D"_blank" rel=3D"noopener">closing argument</a></strong></=
span></span><span style=3D"color: #000000;"><span style=3D"color: #09b29d;"=
><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span>for the youth plaintiffs in <em>Held v. Stat=
e of Montana</em>, delivered by Nate Bellinger, Senior Staff Attorney for O=
ur Children's Trust, on June 20, 2023:</span></span></span></p>=20
<figure class style=3D"margin: 0 0 1rem; Margin: 0 0 1rem;">
<!--[if mso]><center><![end-if]-->
<img class=3D"align-center" src=3D"[link removed]
t.app.neoncrm.com/neon/resource/ourchildrenstrust/images/DSC_8846.jpg" alt=
=3D"DSC_8846.jpg" width=3D"600" align=3D"center" style=3D"outline: none; te=
xt-decoration: none; -ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic; max-width: 100%; clea=
r: both; display: block; margin: 0 auto; Margin: 0 auto; float: none; text-=
align: center; height: auto;"><!--[if mso]></center><![end-if]-->
</figure> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,s=
erif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left;=
font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10p=
x;">&nbsp;</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font=
-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size=
: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span =
style=3D"color: #054570; font-size: 15pt;"><strong>"Thank you, Your Honor. =
</strong></span><span style=3D"color: #000000;">May it please the Court: I =
want to begin by thanking you and the Court=E2=80=99s staff for accommodati=
ng all of us over the past week and making this courtroom accessible to the=
broader public.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgi=
a,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: =
10px;"><span style=3D"color: #09b29d; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>Taleah</str=
ong></span> <span style=3D"color: #000000;">said that it was a privilege fo=
r her to be able to share her story in this courthouse: a place of public a=
nd legal significance. This is a sentiment echoed by all of the youth Plain=
tiffs and they wanted you to know how honored they were to participate in t=
his venerated process and to finally have the chance to be heard after thre=
e long years.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,s=
erif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left;=
font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10p=
x;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">This case is about </span><span style=
=3D"font-size: 13pt;"><span style=3D"color: #054570;"><strong>16 brave Mont=
anans</strong></span>: <span style=3D"color: #09b29d;"><strong>Rikki, Grace=
, Eva, Badge, Mica, Ruby, Lilian, Sariel, Taleah, Georgi, Kian, Claire, Oli=
via, Lander, Nate, and Jeffrey</strong></span></span>,<span style=3D"color:=
#000000;"> and the harms they have each endured at the hands of their own =
government. After hearing from world-renowned experts on climate science an=
d medical professionals, there is no doubt that Montana should be protectin=
g these young people and future generations to come.</span></p> <p style=3D=
"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; =
margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; =
margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">=
A stable climate system is integral to each and every one of the constituti=
onal rights that have been implicated in this proceeding. And Plaintiffs ha=
ve established=E2=80=93through overwhelming evidence=E2=80=93that their rig=
hts have been violated. Central to this violation is the MEPA Limitation an=
d its implementation, forcing Montana=E2=80=99s agencies to turn a blind ey=
e to climate change=E2=80=99s catastrophic impacts and the mounting greenho=
use gas (GHG) emissions driving these unnatural, wholly avoidable injuries.=
</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-we=
ight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 1=
2pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span sty=
le=3D"color: #000000;">You=E2=80=99ve heard the state say this is a boring =
case about a procedural law. But to the contrary, this is about the Plainti=
ffs=E2=80=99 lives, their livelihoods, and their future.</span></p> <p styl=
e=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding:=
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1=
.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #00000=
0;">Like other monumental constitutional cases before it, <em>Held v. State=
of Montana</em> comes to this Court because of a pervasive, systemic infri=
ngement of rights. These <span style=3D"font-size: 13pt; color: #054570;"><=
strong>16 young people</strong></span> shouldered the responsibility to com=
e here to share intimate stories of their harms; they don=E2=80=99t ask for=
money, but instead ask only that their government embrace its constitution=
al responsibility to alleviate the harm of its own conduct. The state argue=
s that the climate crisis is a global problem. Plaintiffs localize this har=
m in their backyards of felled, diseased trees; the melting of majestic gla=
ciers; big skies full of choking smoke; and rivers that run dry. The climat=
e crisis is at home in Montana and it diminishes the lives of each and ever=
y one of the Plaintiffs.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family=
: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">The Plaintiffs spoke of thei=
r deep love for Montana and said this case is for every Montanan, and the s=
hared values of the people of this state. They said they are just 16 voices=
speaking for thousands.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family=
: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-a=
lign: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-=
bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">They said that this case is =
about responsibility and opportunity. They know the transition to clean, re=
newable energy is coming =E2=80=93 but they spoke of how proud they would b=
e if it was their<em> </em>state that led the transition. And they know wha=
t their experts and the IPCC say with =E2=80=9Cvery high confidence:=E2=80=
=9D the window is rapidly closing to address climate change.&nbsp;</span></=
p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400=
; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line=
-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"col=
or: #000000;">The Plaintiffs acknowledged that the work to stop and reverse=
climate change will be a lifetime journey, but they are asking this Court =
for help. They are asking this Court to alleviate their harms, harms the Co=
urt heard detailed last week.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; =
font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin=
: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10=
px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">They know the res=
t of the world is watching, and that future generations will look back on t=
his historic trial. They say their case, <em>Held v. Montana</em>, is not j=
ust about past harms suffered, but about hope for the future. It is a case =
that will lay the groundwork for other children to enjoy the full wonder of=
this world.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,se=
rif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; =
font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px=
;"><span style=3D"font-size: 13pt; color: #054570;"><strong>Clean and Healt=
hful Environment</strong></span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-famil=
y: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-=
align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin=
-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">Over the course of this tri=
al Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 experts, including Montana=E2=80=99s top climate sci=
entists, Drs. Steven Running and Cathy Whitlock, described how Montana=E2=
=80=99s once clean and healthful environment is experiencing unprecedented =
degradation. For <span style=3D"color: #09b29d; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>G=
race, Taleah, Claire, and Kian</strong><span style=3D"color: #000000;">,</s=
pan></span> this means that the forests, glaciers, and rivers they depend o=
n are being depleted. <span style=3D"font-size: 12pt;">Claire</span> told t=
he Court how her well-being and ability to walk is deeply intertwined with =
the quality of Montana=E2=80=99s clean and healthful environment. The abund=
ant evidence shows that Defendants=E2=80=99 promotion of fossil fuels, whil=
e ignoring the attendant climate impacts, violates Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 fund=
amental right to a clean and healthful environment, secured by Article II, =
Section 3 and Article IX, Section 1=E2=80=94which stand as =E2=80=9Canticip=
atory and preventative.=E2=80=9D Defendants presented no evidence to disput=
e Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 showing, nor did they provide any evidence of a compe=
lling state interest that would justify the infringement of this right and =
overcome strict scrutiny. This is in the face of the MEPA Limitation which =
affirmatively prohibits agencies from gathering information on impacts that=
have been proved to be causing grievous harms to the Plaintiffs; without t=
his limitation, Defendants told the Court, MEPA would allow them to make de=
cisions informed by the consequences of climate change.</span></p> <p style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: =
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.=
5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"font-size: 13p=
t; color: #054570;"><strong>Public Trust&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <p style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: =
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.=
5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000=
;">The Court also heard expert testimony from renowned ecologists Dr. Danie=
l Fagre and Dr. Jack Stanford, who explained how Glacier National Park=E2=
=80=99s 26 remaining glaciers sit at the top of the water tower, dangerousl=
y close to depletion. Water is the quintessential public trust resource, bu=
t rising temperatures are melting Montana=E2=80=99s glaciers, and changing =
precipitation trends are fundamentally altering the water tower and the vas=
t ecosystems that depend on it. These changes threaten the ability of Plain=
tiffs like <span style=3D"font-size: 13pt; color: #09b29d;"><strong>Georgi,=
Lander, and Badge</strong></span> to continue fishing and rafting on Monta=
na=E2=80=99s once pristine rivers that have become sickly hot or slowed to =
a trickle. Again, the evidence shows that Defendants=E2=80=99 ongoing promo=
tion of fossil fuels, while ignoring greenhouse gas emissions and climate i=
mpacts, is substantially impairing Montana=E2=80=99s public trust resources=
in violation of Article IX, Sections 1 and 3. Not only did Defendants fail=
to present any evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify =
the infringement of the state=E2=80=99s public trust resources and overcome=
strict scrutiny=E2=80=93they did not even mention the public trust.</span>=
</p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 4=
00; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; li=
ne-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"c=
olor: #054570; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>Dignity </strong></span></p> <p st=
yle=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; paddin=
g: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height:=
1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000=
000;">During the trial we also heard Indigenous Plaintiffs describe how Mon=
tana=E2=80=99s changing climate is impacting their ability to tell seasonal=
ly attuned Salish creation stories; how ceremonies central to Crow traditio=
ns are disturbed by extreme heat and smoke; and how the traditional food so=
urces of many tribes are made scarce by drought. Mr. Michael Durglo Jr. sha=
red how Montana=E2=80=99s changing climate was interrupting nature=E2=80=99=
s cycles, cycles that have been observed by Indigenous people and passed do=
wn through oral traditions for millennia. These tribal practices, which are=
an integral part of <span style=3D"color: #09b29d; font-size: 13pt;"><stro=
ng>Sariel=E2=80=99s, Ruby=E2=80=99s, and Lillian=E2=80=99s</strong></span> =
cultural dignity and spirituality, are being imperiled by changing precipit=
ation patterns and declining snowpack. Plaintiffs have presented evidence t=
hat their very dignity, their intrinsic worth, and their right to practice =
cultural and spiritual beliefs under Article II, Section 4<strong> </strong=
>is being violated by Defendants=E2=80=99 ongoing promotion of fossil fuels=
, while ignoring greenhouse gas emissions and the worsening climate impacts=
. Defendants presented no evidence of a compelling state interest that woul=
d justify this infringement of the right to dignity and overcome strict scr=
utiny.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; f=
ont-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-s=
ize: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><sp=
an style=3D"color: #054570; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>Equal Protection</str=
ong></span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; fon=
t-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-siz=
e: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span=
style=3D"color: #000000;">Meanwhile unrefuted testimony from medical exper=
ts Dr. Lori Byron and Dr. Lise Van Susteren shows that children, including =
these Plaintiffs, are disproportionately harmed by climate change and will =
face life-long hardships without urgent steps to address the cause of their=
injuries. Article II, Section 15 explicitly protects children under the ag=
e of 18 and the evidence before the Court demonstrates that children deserv=
e protected status in cases where government conduct harms them, including =
here, where the state approves every fossil fuel permit with zero considera=
tion of the harm to children. This evidence compels a finding that Plaintif=
fs are a protected class, and Defendants=E2=80=99 ongoing promotion of foss=
il fuels, while ignoring the climate impacts, is violating their fundamenta=
l rights to equal protection under Article II, Section 4. Defendants presen=
ted no evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify the infri=
ngement of this fundamental right to equal protection and overcome strict s=
crutiny.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif;=
font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font=
-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><=
span style=3D"font-size: 13pt; color: #054570;"><strong>Health, Safety, and=
Happiness</strong></span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Geo=
rgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">We=E2=80=99ve also heard testimon=
y from Plaintiffs, including <span style=3D"color: #09b29d; font-size: 13pt=
;"><strong>Olivia, Eva and Rikki</strong></span>, about how their right to =
health, safety, and happiness, secured by Article II, Section 3, is being i=
nfringed as a consequence of the climate crisis. <span style=3D"font-size: =
12pt;">Eva=E2=80=99s</span> home and community remains at risk from extreme=
flooding events. <span style=3D"font-size: 12pt;">Rikki</span> has had to =
work in 110-degree heat and smoke-filled skies on her family=E2=80=99s ranc=
h. Increased pollen count causes allergic reactions so strong that <span st=
yle=3D"font-size: 12pt;">Olivia=E2=80=99s</span> eyes can be bloodshot and =
swollen for weeks at a time. These are just a few examples of the many inju=
ries evidenced to violate Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 right to health, safety, and =
happiness. Yet again, Defendants presented no evidence of a compelling stat=
e interest that would justify the infringement of these fundamental rights =
and overcome strict scrutiny.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-f=
amily: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; t=
ext-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Ma=
rgin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">In order to acknowledge=
the full range of harms and constitutional injuries these Plaintiffs endur=
e, it is critical that the Court address each of Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 consti=
tutional claims. These are distinct constitutional injuries, and each shoul=
d be declared and remedied.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fo=
nt-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: =
0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px=
; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">In response, Defend=
ants argue that Montana=E2=80=99s GHG emissions don=E2=80=99t matter. But i=
rrefutable expert testimony affirms that Montana=E2=80=99s greenhouse gas e=
missions are substantial; Montana=E2=80=99s contribution to anthropogenic c=
limate change harms the Plaintiffs; and the impacts of Montana=E2=80=99s em=
issions are both local and immediate as<u> </u>well as global and long-last=
ing. Every ton matters. Defendants have presented no scientific evidence to=
the contrary. Defendants=E2=80=99 sole witness to discuss GHG emissions, D=
r. Terry Anderson, merely calculated, albeit incorrectly, Montana=E2=80=99s=
percentage of total global greenhouse gas emissions per year.</span></p> <=
p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; pa=
dding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-hei=
ght: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: =
#000000;">On the other hand, Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 expert testimony makes cle=
ar that without science-based steps to reduce Montana=E2=80=99s GHG emissio=
ns, the harms Plaintiffs are already experiencing will just keep getting wo=
rse.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,seri=
f; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fo=
nt-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"=
><span style=3D"color: #000000;">But the evidence also makes clear that it =
is not too late to avoid the most catastrophic and irreversible climate imp=
acts. As Dr. Jacobson explained, Montana can meet all its energy needs with=
renewable energy sources, while at the same time reducing energy costs, sa=
ving lives, and cleaning up Montana=E2=80=99s skies. Solutions to the clima=
te crisis are available right now and the only thing standing in the way ar=
e government laws that perpetuate Montana=E2=80=99s fossil fuel-energy syst=
em.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif=
; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; fon=
t-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">=
<span style=3D"color: #054570; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>Stable Climate Sys=
tem </strong>&nbsp;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Geo=
rgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">Plaintiffs are asking this Court =
to declare that a stable climate system is fundamental:</span></p> <p style=
=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: =
0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.=
5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 40px;"><span sty=
le=3D"color: #000000;">to the protection of their rights to a clean and hea=
lthful environment;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Geo=
rgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align:=
left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-botto=
m: 10px; padding-left: 40px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">to the preser=
vation of public trust resources;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; fo=
nt-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: =
0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px=
; Margin-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 40px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;"=
>to protect their rights for equal protection and individual dignity; and</=
span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weig=
ht: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12p=
t; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px; padding-left=
: 40px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">to seek safety, health and happine=
ss.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font=
-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size=
: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span =
style=3D"color: #054570;"><strong><span style=3D"font-size: 13pt;">Constitu=
tional Standard</span></strong></span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font=
-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0;=
text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; =
Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">As Constitutional Del=
egate Mae Nan Ellingson said in 1972, the Constitution would not detail wha=
t =E2=80=9Cclean=E2=80=9D or =E2=80=9Chealthful=E2=80=9D meant, but she gua=
ranteed that the courts could tell us how to understand and enforce this =
=E2=80=9Canticipatory and preventative=E2=80=9D provision. This Court heard=
undisputed testimony from multiple experts that in order to restore Earth=
=E2=80=99s Energy Balance and secure a stable climate system, the atmospher=
ic concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere must be reduced to no =
more than 350 parts per million by 2100. Given this uncontroverted evidence=
, this Court should declare that 350 ppm is the constitutional standard nec=
essary to protect a stable climate system. Declaring this constitutional st=
andard will provide a clear target for Defendants when conducting their MEP=
A analyses and making future energy permitting decisions under their statut=
ory authority.&nbsp;</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Ge=
orgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align=
: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bott=
om: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #054570; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>Final J=
udgment</strong></span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgi=
a,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: le=
ft; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: =
10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">This Court=E2=80=99s final judgment =
should conform to the evidence presented at trial, which shows that both th=
e 2011 and 2023 versions of MEPA are unconstitutional. It also shows that t=
he provision of SB 557, which Defendants have interjected into this case, a=
nd which prohibits courts from vacating or voiding permits based on GHG emi=
ssions or climate change, is unconstitutional. </span></p> <p style=3D"colo=
r: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margi=
n: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margi=
n-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">Defen=
dants would have this Court believe that they have no authority to implemen=
t the permitting statutes to include an analysis of climate change or GHG e=
missions necessary to abide by the constitutional mandate to protect a clea=
n and healthful environment. Such a construction is absurd and would render=
the permitting statutes unconstitutional. Defendants must either have disc=
retion to deny or condition permits when environmental reviews reveal harms=
that arise to the level of constitutional violations, or the permitting st=
atutes themselves are unconstitutional.</span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c41=
44; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Ma=
rgin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom=
: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;"><span style=
=3D"color: #054570; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>In closing, Your Honor</stron=
g></span>, it=E2=80=99s worth remembering other times in our nation=E2=80=
=99s history when the political process didn=E2=80=99t work to protect peop=
le=E2=80=99s basic human rights. Segregation, women=E2=80=99s rights, equal=
and adequate public schooling, marriage=E2=80=94time and time again, the p=
olitical will of powerful majorities was struck down by courts, based on th=
e compelling evidence before them, courageously correcting the injustices t=
hrust on the people. Today, the injustice squarely before this Court is the=
proven harms of these young people wrought by climate change caused by a f=
ossil fuel-based energy system imposed and perpetuated through the law.</sp=
an></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight=
: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt;=
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=
=3D"color: #000000;">The state says this fight is reserved for the legislat=
ure, but we live in a constitutional democracy where fundamental rights are=
not subject to elections and Defendants do not have the discretion to auth=
orize unconstitutional conduct. Montana=E2=80=99s long-standing energy syst=
em, which the MEPA Limitation is a part of, violates Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 fu=
ndamental constitutional rights, and when constitutional rights are infring=
ed, the Courts have a duty to provide redress.</span></p> <p style=3D"color=
: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin=
: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin=
-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=3D"color: #000000;">Today,=
before you are <span style=3D"color: #09b29d; font-size: 13pt;"><strong>16=
young Montanans</strong></span> who are relying on this Court to grant the=
m necessary, equitable relief. This Court can and should declare their equa=
l right to a clean and healthful environment, dignity, health, safety, and =
happiness. And this Court can and should enjoin any state action or law tha=
t violates Plaintiffs=E2=80=99 fundamental rights. In this ruling, Plaintif=
fs find relief and hope in their future in this great state of Montana.</sp=
an></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-weight=
: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size: 12pt;=
line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style=
=3D"font-size: 15pt; color: #054570;"><strong>Thank you, Your Honor."</stro=
ng></span></p> <p style=3D"color: #3c4144; font-family: Georgia,serif; font=
-weight: 400; padding: 0; margin: 0; Margin: 0; text-align: left; font-size=
: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px; Margin-bottom: 10px;">&nbsp;=
</p>=20
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If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online, [link removed].
Hi friends,

Here is the closing argument for the youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana, delivered by Nate Bellinger, Senior Staff Attorney for Our Children's Trust, on June 20, 2023:





"Thank you, Your Honor. May it please the Court: I want to begin by thanking you and the Court’s staff for accommodating all of us over the past week and making this courtroom accessible to the broader public.

Taleah said that it was a privilege for her to be able to share her story in this courthouse: a place of public and legal significance. This is a sentiment echoed by all of the youth Plaintiffs and they wanted you to know how honored they were to participate in this venerated process and to finally have the chance to be heard after three long years.

This case is about 16 brave Montanans: Rikki, Grace, Eva, Badge, Mica, Ruby, Lilian, Sariel, Taleah, Georgi, Kian, Claire, Olivia, Lander, Nate, and Jeffrey, and the harms they have each endured at the hands of their own government. After hearing from world-renowned experts on climate science and medical professionals, there is no doubt that Montana should be protecting these young people and future generations to come.

A stable climate system is integral to each and every one of the constitutional rights that have been implicated in this proceeding. And Plaintiffs have established–through overwhelming evidence–that their rights have been violated. Central to this violation is the MEPA Limitation and its implementation, forcing Montana’s agencies to turn a blind eye to climate change’s catastrophic impacts and the mounting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions driving these unnatural, wholly avoidable injuries.

You’ve heard the state say this is a boring case about a procedural law. But to the contrary, this is about the Plaintiffs’ lives, their livelihoods, and their future.

Like other monumental constitutional cases before it, Held v. State of Montana comes to this Court because of a pervasive, systemic infringement of rights. These 16 young people shouldered the responsibility to come here to share intimate stories of their harms; they don’t ask for money, but instead ask only that their government embrace its constitutional responsibility to alleviate the harm of its own conduct. The state argues that the climate crisis is a global problem. Plaintiffs localize this harm in their backyards of felled, diseased trees; the melting of majestic glaciers; big skies full of choking smoke; and rivers that run dry. The climate crisis is at home in Montana and it diminishes the lives of each and every one of the Plaintiffs.

The Plaintiffs spoke of their deep love for Montana and said this case is for every Montanan, and the shared values of the people of this state. They said they are just 16 voices speaking for thousands.

They said that this case is about responsibility and opportunity. They know the transition to clean, renewable energy is coming – but they spoke of how proud they would be if it was their state that led the transition. And they know what their experts and the IPCC say with “very high confidence:” the window is rapidly closing to address climate change.

The Plaintiffs acknowledged that the work to stop and reverse climate change will be a lifetime journey, but they are asking this Court for help. They are asking this Court to alleviate their harms, harms the Court heard detailed last week.

They know the rest of the world is watching, and that future generations will look back on this historic trial. They say their case, Held v. Montana, is not just about past harms suffered, but about hope for the future. It is a case that will lay the groundwork for other children to enjoy the full wonder of this world.

Clean and Healthful Environment

Over the course of this trial Plaintiffs’ experts, including Montana’s top climate scientists, Drs. Steven Running and Cathy Whitlock, described how Montana’s once clean and healthful environment is experiencing unprecedented degradation. For Grace, Taleah, Claire, and Kian, this means that the forests, glaciers, and rivers they depend on are being depleted. Claire told the Court how her well-being and ability to walk is deeply intertwined with the quality of Montana’s clean and healthful environment. The abundant evidence shows that Defendants’ promotion of fossil fuels, while ignoring the attendant climate impacts, violates Plaintiffs’ fundamental right to a clean and healthful environment, secured by Article II, Section 3 and Article IX, Section 1—which stand as “anticipatory and preventative.” Defendants presented no evidence to dispute Plaintiffs’ showing, nor did they provide any evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify the infringement of this right and overcome strict scrutiny. This is in the face of the MEPA Limitation which affirmatively prohibits agencies from gathering information on impacts that have been proved to be causing grievous harms to the Plaintiffs; without this limitation, Defendants told the Court, MEPA would allow them to make decisions informed by the consequences of climate change.

Public Trust

The Court also heard expert testimony from renowned ecologists Dr. Daniel Fagre and Dr. Jack Stanford, who explained how Glacier National Park’s 26 remaining glaciers sit at the top of the water tower, dangerously close to depletion. Water is the quintessential public trust resource, but rising temperatures are melting Montana’s glaciers, and changing precipitation trends are fundamentally altering the water tower and the vast ecosystems that depend on it. These changes threaten the ability of Plaintiffs like Georgi, Lander, and Badge to continue fishing and rafting on Montana’s once pristine rivers that have become sickly hot or slowed to a trickle. Again, the evidence shows that Defendants’ ongoing promotion of fossil fuels, while ignoring greenhouse gas emissions and climate impacts, is substantially impairing Montana’s public trust resources in violation of Article IX, Sections 1 and 3. Not only did Defendants fail to present any evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify the infringement of the state’s public trust resources and overcome strict scrutiny–they did not even mention the public trust.

Dignity

During the trial we also heard Indigenous Plaintiffs describe how Montana’s changing climate is impacting their ability to tell seasonally attuned Salish creation stories; how ceremonies central to Crow traditions are disturbed by extreme heat and smoke; and how the traditional food sources of many tribes are made scarce by drought. Mr. Michael Durglo Jr. shared how Montana’s changing climate was interrupting nature’s cycles, cycles that have been observed by Indigenous people and passed down through oral traditions for millennia. These tribal practices, which are an integral part of Sariel’s, Ruby’s, and Lillian’s cultural dignity and spirituality, are being imperiled by changing precipitation patterns and declining snowpack. Plaintiffs have presented evidence that their very dignity, their intrinsic worth, and their right to practice cultural and spiritual beliefs under Article II, Section 4 is being violated by Defendants’ ongoing promotion of fossil fuels, while ignoring greenhouse gas emissions and the worsening climate impacts. Defendants presented no evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify this infringement of the right to dignity and overcome strict scrutiny.

Equal Protection

Meanwhile unrefuted testimony from medical experts Dr. Lori Byron and Dr. Lise Van Susteren shows that children, including these Plaintiffs, are disproportionately harmed by climate change and will face life-long hardships without urgent steps to address the cause of their injuries. Article II, Section 15 explicitly protects children under the age of 18 and the evidence before the Court demonstrates that children deserve protected status in cases where government conduct harms them, including here, where the state approves every fossil fuel permit with zero consideration of the harm to children. This evidence compels a finding that Plaintiffs are a protected class, and Defendants’ ongoing promotion of fossil fuels, while ignoring the climate impacts, is violating their fundamental rights to equal protection under Article II, Section 4. Defendants presented no evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify the infringement of this fundamental right to equal protection and overcome strict scrutiny.

Health, Safety, and Happiness

We’ve also heard testimony from Plaintiffs, including Olivia, Eva and Rikki, about how their right to health, safety, and happiness, secured by Article II, Section 3, is being infringed as a consequence of the climate crisis. Eva’s home and community remains at risk from extreme flooding events. Rikki has had to work in 110-degree heat and smoke-filled skies on her family’s ranch. Increased pollen count causes allergic reactions so strong that Olivia’s eyes can be bloodshot and swollen for weeks at a time. These are just a few examples of the many injuries evidenced to violate Plaintiffs’ right to health, safety, and happiness. Yet again, Defendants presented no evidence of a compelling state interest that would justify the infringement of these fundamental rights and overcome strict scrutiny.

In order to acknowledge the full range of harms and constitutional injuries these Plaintiffs endure, it is critical that the Court address each of Plaintiffs’ constitutional claims. These are distinct constitutional injuries, and each should be declared and remedied.

In response, Defendants argue that Montana’s GHG emissions don’t matter. But irrefutable expert testimony affirms that Montana’s greenhouse gas emissions are substantial; Montana’s contribution to anthropogenic climate change harms the Plaintiffs; and the impacts of Montana’s emissions are both local and immediate as well as global and long-lasting. Every ton matters. Defendants have presented no scientific evidence to the contrary. Defendants’ sole witness to discuss GHG emissions, Dr. Terry Anderson, merely calculated, albeit incorrectly, Montana’s percentage of total global greenhouse gas emissions per year.

On the other hand, Plaintiffs’ expert testimony makes clear that without science-based steps to reduce Montana’s GHG emissions, the harms Plaintiffs are already experiencing will just keep getting worse.

But the evidence also makes clear that it is not too late to avoid the most catastrophic and irreversible climate impacts. As Dr. Jacobson explained, Montana can meet all its energy needs with renewable energy sources, while at the same time reducing energy costs, saving lives, and cleaning up Montana’s skies. Solutions to the climate crisis are available right now and the only thing standing in the way are government laws that perpetuate Montana’s fossil fuel-energy system.

Stable Climate System

Plaintiffs are asking this Court to declare that a stable climate system is fundamental:

to the protection of their rights to a clean and healthful environment;

to the preservation of public trust resources;

to protect their rights for equal protection and individual dignity; and

to seek safety, health and happiness.

Constitutional Standard

As Constitutional Delegate Mae Nan Ellingson said in 1972, the Constitution would not detail what “clean” or “healthful” meant, but she guaranteed that the courts could tell us how to understand and enforce this “anticipatory and preventative” provision. This Court heard undisputed testimony from multiple experts that in order to restore Earth’s Energy Balance and secure a stable climate system, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere must be reduced to no more than 350 parts per million by 2100. Given this uncontroverted evidence, this Court should declare that 350 ppm is the constitutional standard necessary to protect a stable climate system. Declaring this constitutional standard will provide a clear target for Defendants when conducting their MEPA analyses and making future energy permitting decisions under their statutory authority.

Final Judgment

This Court’s final judgment should conform to the evidence presented at trial, which shows that both the 2011 and 2023 versions of MEPA are unconstitutional. It also shows that the provision of SB 557, which Defendants have interjected into this case, and which prohibits courts from vacating or voiding permits based on GHG emissions or climate change, is unconstitutional.

Defendants would have this Court believe that they have no authority to implement the permitting statutes to include an analysis of climate change or GHG emissions necessary to abide by the constitutional mandate to protect a clean and healthful environment. Such a construction is absurd and would render the permitting statutes unconstitutional. Defendants must either have discretion to deny or condition permits when environmental reviews reveal harms that arise to the level of constitutional violations, or the permitting statutes themselves are unconstitutional.

In closing, Your Honor, it’s worth remembering other times in our nation’s history when the political process didn’t work to protect people’s basic human rights. Segregation, women’s rights, equal and adequate public schooling, marriage—time and time again, the political will of powerful majorities was struck down by courts, based on the compelling evidence before them, courageously correcting the injustices thrust on the people. Today, the injustice squarely before this Court is the proven harms of these young people wrought by climate change caused by a fossil fuel-based energy system imposed and perpetuated through the law.

The state says this fight is reserved for the legislature, but we live in a constitutional democracy where fundamental rights are not subject to elections and Defendants do not have the discretion to authorize unconstitutional conduct. Montana’s long-standing energy system, which the MEPA Limitation is a part of, violates Plaintiffs’ fundamental constitutional rights, and when constitutional rights are infringed, the Courts have a duty to provide redress.

Today, before you are 16 young Montanans who are relying on this Court to grant them necessary, equitable relief. This Court can and should declare their equal right to a clean and healthful environment, dignity, health, safety, and happiness. And this Court can and should enjoin any state action or law that violates Plaintiffs’ fundamental rights. In this ruling, Plaintiffs find relief and hope in their future in this great state of Montana.

Thank you, Your Honor."





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