This is a significant step towards client friendly environment and decision-making. What does this mean in real life?
One thing is for sure – there is no more need for fake tears and overacting from activists like Greta Thunberg. The youth can take matters into their own hands and tackle the decision-makers by taking them to court. There is also a good chance that climate activists can stop gluing themselves to paintings in art galleries and on hot asphalt in busy intersections.
There have been 2200 cases filed in courts across the US, with more to come. Overall, this is a better approach than forcibly challenging local administrators. Will there be more cases like these? Yes. Will they all have favorable results in court? No. However, this presents an opportunity for climate and environmental organizations to regroup and rethink their strategies in the US and globally.
The most effective way to address the ongoing climate crisis is by amending state and federal constitutions, as demonstrated by Montana’s example. Only time will tell how effective these legal actions will be for activism and their cause.