By Amy Beth Hanson and Matthew Brown
A Montana judge on Monday sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate.
The ruling in the first-of-its- kind trial in the U.S. adds to a small number of legal decisions around the world that have established a government duty to protect citizens from climate change.
District Court Judge Kathy Seeley found the policy the state uses in evaluating requests for fossil fuel permits — which does not allow agencies to evaluate the effects of greenhouse gas emissions — is unconstitutional.
Julia Olson, an attorney representing the youth and with Our Children’s Trust, an Oregon environmental group that has filed similar lawsuits in every state since 2011, celebrated the ruling.
“As fires rage in the West, fueled by fossil fuel pollution, today’s ruling in Montana is a game-changer that marks a turning point in this generation’s efforts to save the planet from the devastating effects of human-caused climate chaos,” Olson said in a statement. “This is a huge win for Montana, for youth, for democracy, and for our climate. More rulings like this will certainly come.”
Judge Seeley wrote in the ruling that “Montana’s emissions and climate change have been proven to be a substantial factor in causing climate impacts to Montana’s environment and harm and injury” to the youth.
However, it's up to the state Legislature to determine how to bring the policy into compliance. That leaves slim chances for immediate change in a fossil fuel-friendly state where Republicans dominate the statehouse.
Attorneys for the 16 plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22, presented evidence during the two-week trial in June that increasing carbon dioxide emissions are driving hotter temperatures, more drought and wildfires and decreased snowpack. Those changes are harming the young people's physical and mental health, according to experts brought in by the plaintiffs.
The state argued that even if Montana completely stopped producing C02, it would have no effect on a global scale because states and countries around the world contribute to the amount of C02 in the atmosphere.
A remedy has to offer relief, the state said, or it’s not a remedy at all.
Kansas Rep. Stephanie Clayton is leaving the Republican Party behind after the GOP leaders in her state pulled their support for a bipartisan plan to fund the local education system in what she called a "power play" to damage the incoming Democratic governor.
When U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions moved to undermine Obama-era marijuana industry protections in January, there was little indication how pivotal 2018 would prove to be for the cannabis industry. As 2019 approaches, Cheddar is now looking ahead to next year and forecasting what's in store for the U.S. marijuana industry.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018.
As Cheddar reflects on 2018, we are profiling the most innovative, flamboyant, and often-controversial entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who delivered the year's most memorable moments in business. Of the CEO Class of 2018, who was crowned Biggest Flirt? Class Clown? Cheddar's Sleeper Success Award Goes to Satya Nadella.
2018 was a dramatic year on the political stage ー but more drama is yet to unfold as new players enter the scene, promising more disruptions in Washington. In anticipation of a new year and a new Congress, we’re gazing into Cheddar’s Crystal Ball to bring you our predictions for the politicos to watch.
After a Christmas Eve plunge that sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbling 650 points, stocks spiked in a massive rally on Wednesday, with the Dow booking the largest single day of point gains in its history.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know for Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.
Hopes of a Santa Claus Rally were dashed on Monday, as markets accelerated their declines on Christmas Eve in the wake of one of the Trump administration’s most tumultuous weeks yet. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 650 points on Monday, putting markets on pace for their worst December since the Great Depression.
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, these are the top stories that moved markets and had investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs talking this week on Cheddar.
With uncertainty in Washington over a looming government shutdown, investors are keeping an eye on Wall Street. As stocks look to close at their worst spot in a decade, one expert says we have yet to hit the bottom. Jason Rotman from Lido Isle Advisors talked to Cheddar about what investors can expect in the new year.
