Global warming can't be ignored, Montana's top court says, upholding landmark climate case
Source: AP via MPR News
Montana’s Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a landmark climate ruling that said the state was violating residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment by permitting oil, gas and coal projects without regard for global warming.
The justices, in a 6-1 ruling, upheld an August 2023 decision by a state judge that was considered a breakthrough in attempts by young environmentalists and their attorneys to use the courts to leverage action on climate change. The state had appealed the ruling by District Court Judge Kathy Seeley and the arguments were heard in July.
The justices found a policy that prevented Montana from considering the effect of greenhouse gases when issuing permits for fossil fuel development is unconstitutional.
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The justices rejected the state's argument that greenhouse gases released from Montana fossil fuel projects are minuscule on a global scale and reducing them would have no effect on climate change, likening it to saying: “If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?”
Read more: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/12/18/global-warming-cant-be-ignored-montanas-top-court-says-upholding-landmark-climate-case
The 16 young plaintiffs described during the 2023 trial how climate change is profoundly affecting their lives: that worsening wildfires ... more at link
Montana!
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