With guest host Jonathan Zarov
Disclaimer: I work at Madison Children’s Museum, which is leading a national project called Caretakers of Wonder addressing climate change and young children. Our next guest, Jonathan Patz, is an advisor on that project.
In June 2023, 16 young Montanans filed a constitutional climate lawsuit against the state of Montana, stating they had a right to a clean and healthful environment. The youth allege that the state of Montana, by supporting a fossil fuel-driven energy system that worsens the climate crisis, is violating their constitutional right to a “clean and healthful environment,” to seek safety, health, and happiness, and to individual dignity and equal protection of the law.
Article IX, Section 1 of the Montana state constitution reads, “The state and each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.” The young people received guidance from Our Children’s Trust law firm. On August 14, 2023, a Montana judge agreed.
That introduction is part of Yesterday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel guest essay entitled Montana climate change lawsuit affirms right to clean environment
Youth are already experiencing the mental and physical harm that climate change causes.
Jonathan Patz and Steve Running, joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their work on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, wrote the guest essay. Both were at the June trial in Helena, MT.
UW-Madison professor Jonathan Patz joins us by phone now to discuss the case–and climate change and youth, more broadly.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/nation/2023/08/16/could-the-montana-youth-climate-case-help-stop-global-warming/70590652007/
Image by -Rita-👩🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay
