WASHINGTON (June 13, 2023) Since 1972, Montana’s State Constitution has guaranteed its citizens the right to “a clean and healthful environment,” which directly reflects the people’s duty to protect water, wildlife, air and public lands. On Monday, June 12, 2023 the state court heard a case that seeks to hold its public officials accountable to their obligations to fight global warming, and reduce the reliance and use of fossil fuels in the state. This case made its debut in court after over a decade of effort from a team of youth plaintiffs claiming that future generations will bear a greater weight of consequences as the planet warms.
If you would like more context on this matter, please consider Randall S. Abate, Assistant Dean for Environmental Law Studies at the George Washington University Law School. Dean Abate has taught domestic and international environmental law for almost 30 years at seven U.S. law schools and has delivered lectures in over 25 countries. His areas of expertise include climate justice litigation with special emphasis on protection of youth, Indigenous communities, and other marginalized populations. He also is an expert on climate washing. Dean Abate served as the inaugural Rechnitz Family and Urban Coast Institute Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy at Monmouth University as well as the Director of the Institute for Global Understanding. Dean Abate has published six books and about 40 law journal articles and book chapter with recent emphasis on climate change law and justice.
If you would like to speak with Dean Randall S. Abate, please contact media relations specialist Shannon Mitchell at [email protected].
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