Earth’s climate is always changing. But the planet is warming up faster than ever before. This past summer was hotter than usual for much of the world. Most experts agree that humans are causing this warming.

    Why is Earth’s temperature rising so fast? Every day, people burn fossil fuels. Gas powers our cars. Oil helps heat our homes. Coal fuels power plants that make electricity.

    Burning fuel sends harmful gases into the air. These gases build up in our atmosphere. They trap heat from the sun close to Earth. Scientists call this the “greenhouse effect.”

    Montana burns a lot of fossil fuels. For years, it built coal mines and power plants. State leaders didn’t think carefully about the harm this might do.

    This angered Held. She thought Montana needed to do more to protect the environment—and her future.

    Earth’s climate is always changing. But right now, most experts agree that humans are making the planet warm up faster than ever before. This past summer was hotter than usual for 98 percent of the world’s population.

    Why is Earth’s temperature rising so fast? Every day, people burn fossil fuels. Gas powers our cars, oil helps heat our homes, and coal fuels power plants that make electricity.

    Burning fuel sends harmful gases into the air. They build up in our atmosphere, and they trap heat from the sun close to Earth. Scientists call this the “greenhouse effect.”

    Montana burns a lot of fossil fuels. For years, it built energy projects like coal mines and power plants without carefully considering how they might harm the climate.

    This angered Held. She felt like Montana needed to be doing more to protect the environment—and her future.

    A group called Our Children’s Trust agreed with Held. It was building a case against Montana. It wanted young people to be involved. Held joined the case as a plaintiff. Fifteen other young people from Montana also joined in.

    In 2020, the group filed their lawsuit. Held is the oldest. So it was filed in her name.

    Held v. State of Montana focused on Montana’s constitution. It says that people in Montana have “the right to a clean and healthful environment.”

    The trial began on June 12, 2023. Several plaintiffs gave testimony. They talked about how climate change affects them. Badge Busse, 15, spoke about wildfires. The smoky air can damage his lungs. So he often stays indoors.

    Doctors and scientists gave testimony too. Doctors said the effects of climate change are extra harmful to young people. Scientists talked about the effects of climate change on Montana—now and in the future.

    But the state argued that it can’t be blamed for a warming planet. It’s “a global issue,” a lawyer for Montana said.

    A group called Our Children’s Trust offered Held a way to take on this issue. The group was building a case against Montana, and it wanted young people to be involved. Held joined the case as a plaintiff. Fifteen other kids and teens from across the state also joined in.

    In 2020, the group filed their lawsuit. Because Held is the oldest, it was filed in her name.

    Held v. State of Montana focused on language in Montana’s constitution. It says that people who live in Montana have “the right to a clean and healthful environment.”

    The trial began on June 12, 2023. Several plaintiffs gave testimony in which they talked about how climate change is affecting them. Badge Busse, 15, spoke about the effect of wildfires, explaining that he often has to stay indoors to avoid damage to his lungs from the smoky air.

    Doctors and scientists also gave testimony. Doctors said the effects of climate change are extra harmful to young people. Scientists talked about the effects of climate change on Montana—now and in the future.

    But the state argued that it can’t be blamed for a warming planet. It’s “a global issue,” a lawyer for Montana said.

    In August, the judge made her decision. She ruled that the Montana state government has a duty to protect its citizens from climate change. (When this issue went to press in October, the state of Montana had already filed an appeal. That means the case will be heard again by a higher court.)

    Still, the Held v. Montana win is giving young people in Montana hope. Kian Tanner was a plaintiff from the city of Bigfork. When the judge read her ruling, he cheered.  

    “This ruling, this case—it is truly historic,” he said. “We are heard!”

    In August, the judge made her decision. She ruled that Montana’s state government has a duty to protect its citizens from climate change. The state of Montana filed an appeal. That means the case will be heard again by a higher court.

    But the first win gave the plaintiffs hope. Kian Tanner was a plaintiff. When the judge read the ruling, Tanner cheered.  

    “It is truly historic,” he said. “We are heard!” 

    In August, the judge made her decision, ruling that the Montana state government has a duty to protect its citizens from climate change. (When this issue went to press in October, the state of Montana had already filed an appeal, which means the case will be heard again by a higher court.)

    Still, the Held v. Montana win is giving young people in Montana hope. Kian Tanner was a plaintiff from the city of Bigfork. When the judge read her ruling, he cheered.  

    “This ruling, this case—it is truly historic,” he said. “We are heard!”