Honoring Women Experts in Youth-Led Climate Litigation
March 8, 2025
Women have long been at the forefront of movements for justice and equality, using their expertise, courage, and persistence to drive meaningful change. In the fight for climate rights, women are again leading the charge—bringing scientific knowledge, medical expertise, and policy advocacy to youth-led climate litigation. This Women’s History Month, we recognize the extraordinary women experts who have played a pivotal role in Our Children’s Trust’s groundbreaking cases, standing alongside young plaintiffs to hold governments accountable for the climate crisis.
From medicine and mental health to climate science and environmental policy, these women are shaping the legal and scientific foundation for a safer, more just future. Their voices are powerful, their expertise undeniable, and their impact immeasurable. This month, and every month, we recognize their leadership in the fight for a safe and livable future.
Meet these incredible women:
Dr. Lori Byron
Dr. Lori Byron testifying during the Held v. State of Montana trial. Photo by Robin Loznak
Dr. Lori Byron is a pediatrician with a distinguished career in child health, public health, and climate advocacy. She spent nearly three decades providing medical and mental health care to Crow Indian children through the Indian Health Service and continues to care for hospitalized children as a pediatric hospitalist in Billings, Montana.
As an expert in Held v. State of Montana, Dr. Byron testified on the health impacts of climate change on children, emphasizing their heightened vulnerability and the harm already affecting Montana’s youth. A leader in pediatric and climate health, she holds a Master of Science in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins and has received multiple awards, including the AAP’s Native American Child Health Advocacy Award and the Unsung Heroes of the Academy of Pediatrics Award. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to improving the well-being of vulnerable children, particularly those affected by environmental and social disruptions.
“Participating in the Held v. Montana trial (along with my husband Rob, who was also an expert) and being able to support the youth plaintiffs was one of the greatest honors of my life. Experiencing the live testimonies of the youth and realizing the injustices occurring to them by our state has been motivating as I continue volunteerism in the climate space in Montana. The District Court ruling, which was subsequently upheld by Montana's Supreme Court, was likely the greatest climate victory in Montana this millennium.” - Dr. Lori Byron
Dr. Lise Van Susteren
Dr. Lise van Susteren testifying during the Held v. State of Montana trial. Photo by Robin Loznak
Dr. Lise van Susteren is a psychiatrist and leading expert on the mental and physical health impacts of the climate crisis, particularly on youth. As an expert witness in Juliana v. U.S., Held v. State of Montana and Navahine v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, she testified on children’s heightened vulnerability to climate change, emphasizing their dependency on adults, developing brains and bodies, and the cumulative toll of trauma. She highlighted youth plaintiffs’ firsthand experiences with intergenerational injustice, describing how their world is changing beyond their control.
Her most recent study published in the journal Lancet Planet Health concludes that “Climate change is causing widespread distress among US youth and affecting their beliefs and plans for the future. These effects may intensify, across the political spectrum, as exposure to climate-related severe weather events increases.”
Beyond her climate work, Dr. van Susteren has provided mental health services across diverse settings, including community health centers, disaster relief efforts, and advocacy for torture survivors seeking asylum. She has also served as a behavioral profiler for the CIA, evaluating world leaders. With extensive experience in trauma treatment, she continues to assess and support individuals, couples, and families in private practice.
Dr. Cathy Whitlock
Photo courtesy of Dr. Cathy Whitlock
Dr. Cathy Whitlock is a renowned climate scientist, Regents Professor Emerita of Earth Sciences at Montana State University, and member of the prestigious U.S. National Academy of Sciences. As an expert witness in Held v. State of Montana, she testified on the state’s heightened vulnerability to climate change, explaining that Montana has warmed more than most states due to its mountains and relatively high latitude, and lack of coastal moderation.
A leading authority on environmental change and paleoclimatology, Dr. Whitlock was the lead author of the 2017 Montana Climate Assessment and has contributed to several key climate reports, including the Montana Climate Solutions Plan and the Greater Yellowstone Climate Assessment. Her research, supported by agencies like the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Geological Survey, has been instrumental in understanding Montana’s climate history and the impacts of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Through her scholarship and testimony, she continues to advocate for science-based action to mitigate climate change and protect Montana’s ecosystems and communities.
“Throughout my career as an Earth scientist, research has been a door to discovery, adventure, and sheer fun. Over the years, however, I’ve come to realize that doing science for its own sake is not sufficient; my knowledge also gives me the credentials to educate, influence, and guide societal choices. So, to testify about Montana’s changing climate, on behalf of the courageous youth plaintiffs, was a powerful experience for me, bringing together my passion for science and desire to make a difference.” - Dr. Cathy Whitlock
Anne Hedges
Anne Hedges testifying during the Held v. State of Montana trial. Photo by Robin Loznak
Anne Hedges is a leading environmental policy expert and the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC). As an expert in Held v. State of Montana, she testified on the state government’s role in authorizing fossil fuel activities despite knowing the dangers of climate change. She highlighted state policies that prohibit the consideration of greenhouse gases in environmental reviews and argued that overturning these laws would significantly mitigate climate harm. “If this court declared these anti-climate change analysis laws unconstitutional, it would make a profound difference to mitigate the harm of greenhouse gas emissions,” she said during her testimony at trial.
With over 30 years of experience, Hedges has been instrumental in shaping environmental policy in Montana, focusing on climate change, fossil fuels, and pollution regulation. Through MEIC, she has played a key role in legislative, regulatory, and legal efforts to protect Montana’s environment, influencing agency rulemaking and advocating for policies that ensure a clean and healthful future. Her tireless work has led to significant campaign and legislative successes, that protect public health and natural resources for generations to come.