Climate Change and Its Impact on the Young Generation

The Montana Supreme Court Case

Climate change affects the environment and future generations. Natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are happening more often and are more severe. Young people are especially vulnerable because they will inherit the planet and its consequences. Recently, more people have seen the urgency to address climate change, and young people worldwide demand action.

In Montana, young people sued the state government because they didn't do enough to address climate change, which they say violated their human rights. The Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the young people. This blog examines climate change, the younger generation, and a significant legal case in the Montana Supreme Court.

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The Reality of Climate Change

Climate change means the Earth's climate is changing for a long time because people are releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. These gases trap heat and make global temperatures rise. This causes many problems like rising sea levels, extreme weather, loss of animals and plants, and ecosystem damage.

Climate change is a reality that is causing significant environmental problems worldwide. The effects of climate change are far-reaching, including rising sea levels, extreme weather, loss of animals and plants, and ecosystem damage. These effects have a direct impact on the younger generation and their future.

Young Generation: Bearers of the Burden

Climate change is causing significant environmental problems that will affect the younger generation, known as “Generation Z” and “Millennials,” in the future. These events cause physical damage and have long-term psychological effects on the younger generation. Climate change also affects the availability of resources, such as food and water scarcity and displacement, making it difficult for the younger generation to lead a healthy life.

The younger generation is particularly susceptible to climate change's effects, requiring immediate attention and action. It is essential to understand the severity of climate change and its impact on the younger generation to take steps to mitigate its effects. This can be done by implementing policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy, and encouraging sustainable living practices.

One of the most important ways climate change affects young people is by making extreme weather happen more often and stronger. This includes hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, and severe winter storms. These events can be scary and cause strong feelings, even after they are over. Climate change also makes it harder to find enough food and water; by 2050, about 24 million more children might not have enough food. By 2040, one in four children might live in places without enough water. [source]

Youth Activism: Demanding Climate Justice

The younger generation has shown remarkable leadership and activism in demanding urgent action to combat climate change. Inspired by the likes of Greta Thunberg and organizations such as Fridays for Future, they have taken to the streets, engaged in strikes, and amplified their voices through social media platforms. The young generation has played a pivotal role in raising awareness and pressing governments and corporations to prioritize climate action.

Despite their challenges, young people actively engage in climate activism and demand urgent action from governments and other stakeholders. They participate in initiatives such as Fridays for Future, led by Greta Thunberg, and other youth-led movements to raise awareness and push for transformative change. 

Young climate activists are also working on diverse projects, including educational campaigns, awareness-raising, and behavioral change initiatives, to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

The Montana Supreme Court case exemplifies youth activism and legal strategies to address climate change. It highlights the moral obligation of governments to act in the best interests of young people and the environment. The case brought attention to intergenerational equity and showcased the resilience and determination of the younger generation to hold governments accountable for their role in exacerbating the climate crisis.

Young people around the world are taking various initiatives to combat climate change and raise awareness about its impacts. Some of these initiatives include:

  1. Fridays for Future: Greta Thunberg started a youth-led global climate strike movement in August 2018, where young people protest against the lack of action on the climate crisis by skipping school on Fridays.

  2. Youth Climate Save: A global youth movement focusing on the impact of food systems, particularly animal agriculture, on the climate crisis. Founded in 2020, it has grown to over 80 chapters worldwide.

  3. Youth v. Gov: Young people have sued governments to defend the rights of youth and future generations in the face of the climate crisis. In Juliana v. United States, the US government was taken to court for violating the youngest generation's constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property.

  4. Re-Earth Initiative: A global group of high schoolers and young adults working to make climate protests accessible and inclusive.

  5. Sunrise Movement: A youth-led political movement in the United States that advocates for political action on climate change and implementing the Green New Deal[4].

  6. Youth Environmental Activists (YEA!): A network for Minnesota youth action on the systems perpetuating the climate crisis. YEA! provides support and co-mentorship for young people to step into community climate leadership [5].

These initiatives demonstrate the active engagement of young people in climate activism and their determination to address the climate crisis and build a more sustainable future.

The Montana Supreme Court Case

In 2020, sixteen young plaintiffs aged 6 to 22 filed a lawsuit against Montana, alleging that the state violated its constitution by promoting fossil fuel projects and ignoring climate change. This was the first case of its kind in the U.S. to go to court.

Montana's state constitution has guaranteed since 1972 that the state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations. Mae Nan Ellingson, the first expert witness and the youngest delegate to the 1972 constitutional convention, testified about her role in crafting that language.

Rikki Held, a 22-year-old who sued, talked about how climate change has affected her family's ranch near Broadus. She's seen big changes on the ranch since she was little. Drought and less snow have made getting enough water for her family's animals harder. Smoke from fires has also made it tough to work outside. Held said that seeing these changes has affected her mental health too.

The trial concluded on June 23, 2023, and Judge Kathy Seeley presided over the case without a jury. The Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, recognizing that the environment is a basic human right and that the state must protect it. This decision sets an important example for other states and shows that young people have a right to a healthy and sustainable environment.

The court's decision has implications beyond Montana and sends a message to governments that they cannot ignore climate change. It also shows that young people can shape environmental policy and hold governments accountable.

This case encourages other young people to get involved in environmental issues and demand change from their governments. The trial has been called historic in Montana and could have implications nationwide on climate litigation.

Implications and Lessons Learned

The Montana Supreme Court did not decide in favor of the people who filed the lawsuit. The judge did not have the power to stop using fossil fuels or make it illegal to get new permits for extracting them.

If Montana had lost, then the law that bans looking at how things affect the climate could have been canceled, and it would have made things easier for similar lawsuits. However, the lawsuit showed how young people can use the law to fight climate change and made it clear that governments should help young people and the environment.

The lawsuit also got people talking about climate change, which made politicians and citizens think about what would happen if they didn't do anything.

The younger generation showed how strong and determined they are, and they will keep making sure that the government is responsible for the climate crisis that is getting worse.

How can Young People Get Involved in Climate Activism?

Young people can participate in the climate movement in many ways, such as joining youth-led groups, engaging in local politics, and using their skills and interests to help fight climate change. Here are some suggestions for young people to get involved:

  1. Join youth-led groups: Many groups led by young people focus on climate change and environmental issues, like Fridays for Future, Youth Climate Save, Sunrise Movement, and Youth Environmental Activists (YEA!). By joining these groups, young people can work with like-minded peers on climate initiatives.

  2. Get involved in local politics: Young people can attend town hall meetings, join local environmental committees, or even run for office. By participating in local politics, young people can influence policy decisions and advocate for climate-friendly policies in their communities.

  3. Use your skills and interests: Young people can contribute to the climate movement in many ways using their skills and interests. For example, they can create art or write articles to raise awareness about climate change, develop innovative solutions to environmental problems, or organize events and campaigns to promote climate action.

  4. Learn and educate others: Young people can learn about climate change and its impacts through resources provided by organizations like the United Nations, Climate Kids, and the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network. By educating themselves and others, young people can become more informed advocates for climate action.

  5. Attend youth climate events: Participating in youth climate summits and conferences can help young people connect with other activists, learn from experts, and develop their climate leadership skills.

  6. Push for climate education in schools: Young people can demand climate education in their curricula, ensuring their peers are informed and equipped to take action.

  7. Use social media: Young people can use social media to share information about climate change, promote climate-friendly practices, and engage with other activists and organizations.

By getting involved in the climate movement, young people can make a significant difference in addressing the climate crisis and building a more sustainable future.

Climate change is a big problem that threatens the future of our planet and the younger generation. The Montana Supreme Court case is a win for those who sued and sets an example for other states. The government needs to take action to address climate change and protect the environment for young people. We all need to work together to reduce climate change's effects and ensure young people have a good future.

Young people are leading the way in fighting climate change. They're protesting in the streets, striking, and using social media to make their voices heard. The Montana Supreme Court case shows how young people are fighting climate change with legal strategies and how determined they are to hold governments responsible for worsening the climate crisis.

Young people have an important role to play in fighting climate change. They can join youth groups, get involved in local politics, and use their skills and interests to help fight climate change. By working together, young people can make a big difference in addressing the climate crisis and building a more sustainable future.

We all need to work together to reduce climate change's effects and ensure young people have a good future. By taking action to address climate change, we can create a better world for future generations.

As Greta Thunberg said, "Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come."

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