President Donald Trump’s efforts to boost the production of oil, gas and coal will go on trial this week in Montana. The challengers are a group of young activists who say their constitutional right to a healthy climate is being violated.
The two-day hearing will mark the first time a federal judge will hear testimony on climate change — from scientists, psychologists, climate modelers and some of the young people behind the lawsuit.
“Climate change cases have been litigated for 40 years and the vast majority have been decided on the administrative record,” said Andrea Rodgers, a senior attorney for the Oregon-based law firm Our Children’s Trust, which represents the young people. “This is the first time you will have live, cross-examined testimony about how the federal government’s climate policies are harming young people.”
The 22 young people who brought the case, called Lighthiser v. Trump, are asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana for a preliminary injunction to immediately block the administration from carrying out three energy-related executive orders Trump signed earlier this year.
