Environmental Defense Fund’s Post

Words matter, kids have courage & rule of law can achieve change. Congrats #ourchildrenstrust for proving that polluters can be ordered to confront our climate crisis. In Held v. Montana, the judge ruled: “Defendants have the authority under the statutes by which they operate to protect Montana's environment and natural resources, protect the health and safety of Montana's youth, and alleviate and avoid climate impacts by limiting fossil fuel activities that occur in Montana when the MEPA analysis shows that those activities are resulting in degradation or other harms which violate the Montana Constitution.” Learn more about the courageous plaintiffs, their lawyers, and this case at

For Both ENDS, defending and supporting the human rights and environmental defenders when risks hit, is an indispensable environmental-climate strategy….

🌍 Environmental justice groups in the Global South are under increasing threat for their vital work. Our partners face intimidation, violence, and even death for speaking out against destructive practices. To address these challenges, Both ENDS, in collaboration with allies, has been working on developing a comprehensive System of Care, exploring and piloting the ways in which our partners facing threats as a result of their environmental and human rights work can be supported in their efforts to build protection, strengthen practices of care, and sustain their work and guarantee our collective future. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dT4c9pen Paul Wolvekamp, Adam Moore & Fernando H.

I’ve dealt with my fair share of prosecutions and have been really proud of the work that goes in to them, and know that each and every one has acted as a deterrent to other offences. However, a prosecution is only one of many tools that we can use. Prosecution doesn’t get trees back in the ground where they’ve been felled illegally, a river restored back to health where it’s been polluted, or a site cleared of waste that shouldn’t be there. We have other tools to achieve that and some of that can be as simple as engaging with people. From an operational perspective it’s worth remembering that a huge amount of work goes in to prosecutions, and for an organisation that receives several thousand incident reports and non-compliances each year it just wouldn’t be a responsible use of public money to leap straight to prosecution when we can encourage and influence environmental compliance and restitution. Weeks, months or even years of hard work go in to the cases that we do take forward for prosecution, and that work is justified, but can you imagine how many people would be needed if we prosecuted even half of the incidents we deal with, rather than using other tools? The status quo doesn’t work and I don’t think anyone would claim it does, but beatings with the metaphorical regulatory stick aren’t the way to change it for the positive.

#CommonGround: Their stories are revealing of how deeply intertwined the work of environmental defenders is with their lives and how great the risks they bear are, even as they fight for the health and safety of the wider society around them. Read here: https://lnkd.in/dgPmCmcF

‼️ In a groundbreaking court decision, Montana's commitment to a clean and healthful climate has been affirmed as a fundamental constitutional right for its youngest residents. A judge struck down 2 laws that previously barred state agencies from considering the climate effects of fossil fuel projects. This landmark ruling represents a major win for the young activists, plus sets a precedent with potential legal implications nationwide. 🌍 The court recognized the unique vulnerabilities of youth to climate-induced physical and psychological harms, emphasizing the need to protect their constitutional rights to a stable climate. This decision is also a powerful reminder that the courts can be a potent tool in the fight for climate justice which will resonate with climate activists, legal experts, and environmental organizations alike. 🙏🏻As this victory reverberates in the legal landscape, it offers hope for a growing wave of other climate litigation including a youth-led climate case in Hawaii in June 2024 with plaintiffs arguing that the transportation system contributes to excessive GHGs which violates their constitutional rights. 🥳 This victory echoes VIBE's commitment to climate science, and acknowledges the profound impact of GHGs on our planet. It's a testament to the power of determination, advocacy, and the unwavering belief that committed strong young voices can indeed change our world. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gZmCS5mG #Montana #Montanayouthclimateaction #youthclimateaction #climatejustice #youthclimateleadership

In 1970, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) became the first national environmental advocacy group to focus on legal action. Their commitment to safeguarding our planet's precious resources and creating a sustainable future for all has remained steadfast throughout the decades. Learn more about the NRDC mission: https://lnkd.in/eVhn7iSG

What David Boyd says about a human right to a healthy environment is applicable to our “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” amendment. “Many efforts to achieve climate and environmental justice,” he states, “are David and Goliath struggles. The opponents of progress are powerful, wealthy elites with vested interests in prolonging the status quo because it benefits them immensely.” https://lnkd.in/esy5neBY, our supporting organizations, and every voter who has and who will sign our petition, are David. Powerful industries (more so than wealthy elites) and the pollution politics they impose upon our environmental regulatory system are Goliath. “The right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” Mr. Boyd continues, “could be a mere paper tiger, a set of inspiring words that are inscribed in resolutions and laws, yet rarely acted upon. But in most [nations], it should be a mighty lion with a resounding roar.” Once enshrined in our state constitution, that’s what our “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters” can be—a “mighty lion with a resounding roar.” Read more! https://lnkd.in/ewRXwuH8

TOMORROW: Join us at 3 – 4pm on 26th June, for our webinar discussing one of the leading climate cases of 2024 – Finch v Surrey County Council. Estelle Dehon KC, Harriet Townsend, Ruchi Parekh, Nina Pindham, Dr Alex Williams and David Welsh all appeared in the case and will be giving their reactions to the Supreme Court judgment. Find out details of how to register here: https://lnkd.in/esm3A2UF #PlanningLaw #EnvironmentalLaw

We see you NAACP. Your policy recommendations around clean water are at exactly how we are enacting change for our community and water in Houston, leveraging law, science and community power. Here are our recent policy recommendations for Houston AKA the Bayou City (https://lnkd.in/gyQwWn-w) which line up with yours!