Montana Court Upholds Youth Climate Activists' Victory
Above: The Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, Montana. Image copyright: William Campbell/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
There was little doubt these youth climate activists were in the right to sue — considering the state's constitutional right to a "clean and healthful environment" and the lower court's strong ruling. Even in a Republican-led state, the court proved it could remain independent of outside interests and help create a better future for today's youth.
Republican narrative
This court has gone off the rails. It's allowing a group of children to hamper the state's all-encompassing energy plan and opening the state up to a litany of baseless, costly lawsuits. There's no way to account for reducing harm to these kids and the court seems to argue against itself in its opinion. This shouldn't be taken seriously.