The Centre for Law and the Environment’s four-part series, In Their Own Words: Plaintiffs and Their Lawyers Speak About Leading Youth Climate Cases, covers four leading cases from Canada and the US in which youth are demanding climate accountability and action from their government. Each session in the series will delve into a particular case and attendees will get to learn about the case from one of the youth plaintiffs and one of their lawyers. The speakers will join virtually. Audience can join the session in person at Allard Hall (with free lunch included) or join the webinar virtually.
About Held v. State of Montana
Held v State of Montana was the first constitutional climate trial in the US. In August 2023, the First Judicial District Court of Montana ruled wholly in favor of sixteen youth plaintiffs, declaring that the state of Montana violated the youth’s constitutional rights, including their rights to equal protection, dignity, liberty, health and safety, and public trust, which are all predicated on their right to a clean and healthful environment. The court invalidated as unconstitutional Montana laws that promoted fossil fuels and required turning a blind eye to climate change. The court also ruled that the youth plaintiffs had proven their standing to bring the case by showing significant injuries, the government’s substantial role in causing them, and that a judgement in their favor would change the government’s conduct.
The decision, the first of its kind in the US, is considered to set crucial evidentiary and legal precedent for the right of youth to a safe climate.
Please register to attend in person at Allard Hall or via Zoom.
This session is eligible for 1 hour of CPD credit.
About the Speakers
- Centre for Law and the Environment
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