CNN —A landmark youth climate trial is playing out in Montana, as more than a dozen young plaintiffs aged 5 to 22 said they are already being hurt by climate change-fueled wildfires, drought, reduced snowpack and impacts to wildlife.
It is the first youth climate case to make it to trial in the United States, even as several others are working their way through the court system.
Still, the ruling could set an important legal precedent for upcoming youth climate cases in various stages.
The Montana plaintiffs first filed their case three years ago, while the Juliana case was first filed in 2015.
“I know that climate change is a global issue, but Montana needs to take responsibility for our part of that,” plaintiff Rikki Held, 22, testified.
Persons:
”, Michael Russell, Sariel Sandoval, Kathy Seeley’s, Seeley, Juliana, general’s, Rikki Held
Organizations:
CNN, United
Locations:
Montana, United States, Helena , Montana, ” Montana, Bitterroot, Upper Pend d’Oreille, Diné