Fighting for Montana’s Future: Grace’s Journey for Climate Justice
Grace S., (left) walking into the courthouse in Helena, MT in June 2023 with her fellow Held v. State of Montana youth plaintiffs for the first climate trial in U.S. history. Photo by Robin Loznak
For Grace, a youth plaintiff in the historic constitutional climate lawsuit Held v. State of Montana, the fight for climate justice is deeply personal. Growing up in Montana, she fell in love with its breathtaking landscapes and the vibrant communities that call it home. Now, through her work with Our Children’s Trust, Grace is using her voice to hold leaders accountable and protect her state—and the planet—for generations to come. In this exclusive Q&A, Grace shares how her passion for climate rights began, her experience as a plaintiff in the first climate trial in U.S. history, and her hopes for a safe and livable future.
What drives your passion for climate justice?
I am driven to be a part of climate work for two reasons. One, I have so much love for the place that I'm from, Montana, and for people really all around the world, but in Montana especially, and I want to make sure that these people are safe, and I want to make sure that the environment is a safe place for them to be, and that we all - my generation, future generations - that we all get access to these incredible things that make life worth living.
How has your perspective on the climate crisis changed since you've become a plaintiff?
I became a plaintiff because I thought that the government had a responsibility to do whatever it could to protect the environment, from banning plastic straws to working on a transition towards cleaner sources of energy. Through my involvement in this lawsuit, I have been able to understand so much better what the government's responsibility is and how they can go about doing that.
I've also seen that some governments have been very reluctant to take responsibility and do these things that are within their power and other governments, for example, the government in Hawai‘i has been very responsive and willing to be proactive about listening to the youth in their state.
Please share a moment during your time as a plaintiff that made you feel empowered.
I got to testify in court, and that was very empowering. I remember sitting, right after swearing in, I sat down and the judge was up to my left and I looked out and there were all the other plaintiffs and there were dozens and dozens of supporters that came to join the courthouse for trial, and there were all my attorneys and the defense attorneys and I got to sit and tell my story and tell my truth to all of these different people and make sure that the judge, the government, and all of the people of Montana know how much I care about Montana and what I think is possible for our future.
Grace S., testifying in court during trial in Helena, MT., June 2023. Photo by Robin Loznak
Please share one thing you learned by being a plaintiff.
By being a plaintiff, and by being part of Our Children's Trust, and getting to know the plaintiffs in my case, and all the other cases, I realized that my experience as a young person, and a young person afraid of the climate crisis, are not unique experiences. On one hand, that makes me very sad because I wish other people didn't understand this - didn't experience the same thing.
But on the other hand, it's very hopeful because I know that there are hundreds of other people just like the plaintiffs that care so deeply about this as to join a lawsuit, as to dedicate years and years of their life to this movement. And so, I learned that I'm not alone.
How does it feel to have your case considered by the highest court in your state?
It feels good. It's an important case and I am hopeful that this case will be done justice.
I'm hopeful that the court will do its job and uphold the Constitution and make sure that the people of Montana, in addition to the environment of Montana, are protected, and to make sure that our rights are upheld and that government conduct is in line with the Constitution. I think that's the role of the courts, and so, to be considered by the highest court in the state is an honor, and I think it reflects the gravity of this issue.
Grace S., giving a speech at a press conference and rally after oral arguments at the Montana Supreme Court in July 2024. Photo by Robin Loznak
What does a safe and livable climate look like to you?
It looks like what I grew up with in Montana, but better because I grew up with this incredible place but it was changing, and it is being impacted by climate change. And so, a safe and livable climate to me is a place where you aren't afraid that what you have is going to be lost because of climate change.
How has working with Our Children's Trust impacted your life?
I mean, it has completely changed my life. I was 16 when I joined the case. I was halfway through high school, and now I'm nearing the end of college. I have a completely different and much deeper understanding of climate work, climate justice, and how we can take care of the environment, people, and the economy all at the same time.
It has inspired me to continue working in so many of these different arenas, all because of the learning and the progress that has happened for me through my involvement with Our Children's Trust.
What impact do you hope your work with Our Children's Trust will have on future generations?
I hope that future generations In Montana, specifically, will grow up with the incredible state that I grew up with from the forest the mountains to the glaciers, if they still exist and, a climate where they can ski and also boat on the rivers. Being from Montana is such a defining part of my life and I want as many people as possible, future generations especially, to experience it exactly as I have, or even better.
