Montana's First Climate Trial: Officials Downplay Lawsuit by Young Activists.

Montana officials downplay a first-of-its-kind trial over the state's obligations to protect residents from climate change, saying that a victory by the young plaintiffs would not change approvals for fossil fuel projects. The 16 plaintiffs, ranging in age from 5 to 22 years old, say they’re being harmed by wildfire smoke, excessive heat and other effects of climate change. They’re asking a judge to declare unconstitutional a state law that prevents agencies from considering the impacts of greenhouse gases when issuing permits for fossil fuel development.