History was made last week in Missoula, Montana, when—for the first time ever—a federal court heard live testimony in a constitutional climate lawsuit brought by young people against the U.S. government. The case, Lighthiser v. Trump, is not just another legal battle—it’s a landmark moment for environmental justice, youth empowerment, and the future of our planet.
Over two gripping days, 22 young plaintiffs stood courageously in court, sharing deeply personal stories about the harm they’ve already suffered—and the greater risks they will face—if the government continues to undermine climate science and promote fossil fuel expansion.
While the government brought zero expert witnesses, these young plaintiffs presented testimony backed by Nobel Prize-winning scientists, respected economists, pediatricians, energy experts, and climate policy leaders.
Their message was clear: The President’s recent executive orders are not only morally indefensible—they are unconstitutional.
🧠 For more stories highlighting youth leadership in climate and justice movements, visit our Our Youth category.
✊ Inside the Courtroom: Young Voices, Powerful Truths
Day 1: Courageous Testimonies from the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis
From wildfire evacuations and asthma attacks to flooding disasters and mental health strain, the plaintiffs painted a vivid picture of what it’s like to grow up in a world destabilized by climate change—and a government choosing to make it worse.
- Joseph, 19 (CA): Survived a life-threatening heat stroke and had to abandon his Environmental Policy studies due to federal cuts in climate science programs.
- Jorja, 17 (MT): Shared her heartbreak over increasingly destructive wildfires, worsening smoke, and a once-pristine landscape now degraded.
- Avery, 20 (OR/FL): Spoke of her financial losses from both wildfires and hurricanes—and her anxiety about ever starting a family.
- Jeff, 11 (MT): Described being trapped indoors because of wildfire smoke threatening his and his brother’s respiratory health.
The emotional weight in the courtroom was balanced with scientific precision, as expert witnesses presented damning evidence of how recent executive orders accelerate climate harm:
- Dr. Steven Running, Nobel Peace Prize-winning climate scientist, warned that dismantling satellite programs and observatories will sever the very lifelines used to monitor Earth’s health.
- John Podesta, former White House advisor, revealed how the orders essentially gut federal climate science and direct fossil fuel expansion at the expense of human rights.
- Dr. Mark Jacobson, Stanford engineer, offered hope: the U.S. can run entirely on renewables, and retrofitting oil wells with wind turbines alone could meet 2/3 of global energy demand—and save 100,000 American lives each year.
Day 2: Scientific Consensus Meets Economic Reality
The second day dug even deeper into how these executive orders—signed swiftly by the Trump administration—will obstruct climate progress and sabotage future generations.
- Dr. Geoffrey Heal, renowned economist, testified that there is no current energy emergency. In fact, the U.S. is causing long-term harm by blocking clean, cost-effective energy.
- Nicole Hughes, Executive Director of Renewable Northwest, exposed how federal policy is actively stopping wind and solar projects, leading to job losses and missed investment opportunities.
- Dr. Lori Byron, pediatrician and climate-health advocate, delivered chilling testimony about how children are the most vulnerable—especially those living in areas already graded “F” for air quality by the American Lung Association.
- Isaiah, 17 (MT): Spoke of wildfire evacuations, suffocating heat, and how climate grief is becoming a generational norm for youth across the U.S.
🧑⚖️ Closing Arguments: The Constitution Demands Protection
Lead attorney Julia Olson closed with a powerful reminder: “This case is about more than politics. It’s about the fundamental right to life.” She likened the moment to historic legal battles against segregation and discrimination, asking the court to rise in defense of these young Americans’ constitutional rights.
She read a note passed to her by one plaintiff:
“People get a choice about how fast they go on a highway. But we can’t choose how much coal is driven through my town.”
This wasn’t just poetic—it was a call for justice.
📝 What’s Next in Lighthiser v. Trump
The court is now considering two major motions:
- A preliminary injunction to immediately halt implementation of the executive orders.
- Motions to dismiss filed by the federal government and intervening states.
There is no set timeline for a decision, but every day counts. As federal agencies rush to implement these directives, irreversible harm to young people, clean air, and renewable energy infrastructure is already underway.
🌻 A Community Standing in Solidarity
While the courtroom was filled with emotional testimony and legal rigor, the courthouse steps became a scene of peaceful resistance and support.
- Students, parents, elders, faith leaders, and climate activists gathered each morning.
- One supporter lined the sidewalk with fresh marigolds, creating a bright, symbolic path for the plaintiffs.
- Each evening, the flowers were woven into leis—a gesture uniting Montana’s Big Sky Country with Island Aloha and a quiet reminder that love and community power this movement.
💪 How You Can Help the Youth Leading the Fight
This lawsuit is far from over, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. But there’s a way you can help today:
🎁 Double Your Impact
Thanks to two generous champions, your donation will be matched up to $44,000. That means every dollar you give will go twice as far to:
- Cover legal fees
- Fund travel and lodging for plaintiffs
- Support climate science and youth organizing
Special thanks to the Brown Foundation for their generous support.
🔗 Click here to learn more about how youth are leading the fight for climate justice.
🌍 A Constitutional Climate Reckoning
The young plaintiffs in Lighthiser v. Trump are doing what generations before them didn’t: demanding climate justice through the Constitution itself. This case is more than a legal battle. It’s a pivotal moment where science, human rights, and the voices of youth converge in one unified demand:
Stop sacrificing our future for fossil fuels.
It’s time for the courts to listen. And it’s time for all of us to act.
Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking case and other youth-led climate actions right here at Sustainable Action Now. Together, we fight for a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable world—for the youth of today, and the generations to come.
