The Daily

The Kids Take the Climate Change Fight to Court

Jun 16, 2023

David Gelles, a climate correspondent for The New York Times, discusses a groundbreaking trial in Montana where young environmentalists are suing the state over fossil fuel policies. They argue that these practices harm the environment and endanger their futures. Gelles highlights the youth's personal stories and the broader implications of this case for climate accountability. He also explores Montana's unique constitutional provisions supporting environmental rights and how this landmark trial could transform climate litigation tactics for generations to come.

28:26

Creator website

Episode guests

David Gelles

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

Youth Voices for Climate Justice

10min

Children's Rights and Climate Change Litigation

3min

Montana's Environmental Rights Revolution

9min

Legal Battles for Climate and Rights

6min

This week, a historic case has landed in a Montana courtroom. A group of young environmentalists is suing the state, arguing that its embrace of fossil fuels is destroying pristine environments, upending cultural traditions and robbing young residents of a healthy future.

David Gelles, a climate correspondent for The Times, explains why the case could be a turning point, and what a win in Montana would mean for the future of the climate fight.

Guest: David Gelles, a climate correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The landmark youth climate trial, which has been more than a decade in the making, began on Monday in Montana.
Sixteen young Montanans have sued their state, arguing that its support of fossil fuels violates the state Constitution.

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