Recently, I’ve been remembering the words a friend once shared to me about the beauty of the seasonal shift: That winter is naturally a time to reflect and slow down, and if we lean into it rather than fighting it, this time to rest can be healing.

I wonder: can we allow this cue to rest and reflect to bleed into the sphere of climate action?

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, Judge Kathy Seeley in the First Judicial District Court of Montana ruled wholly in favor of the youth plaintiffs in the landmark climate lawsuit, Held v. State of Montana. Our Montana youth WON!

Read details about the decision, watch a recap of our public celebration of the ruling, and learn about ways to stay engaged.

If we are truly committed to our Montana values – improving the quality of life for this and future generations – we need to take significant steps now to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency, and protect our water resources. We shouldn’t be relying on our young people to fight for their future; we should be working to give them the best future possible. If we don’t, what type of legacy are we leaving them?

A mother’s job is never over. We don’t give up when things get hard or when they seem hopeless. Moms are tough. We work hard and we fight for our families and our communities. We don’t just hope for a good life for our kids - we actively work to build a better future for our children.

Missoula Current’s Martin Kidston writes (Feb. 6, 2023): “With overwhelming public support, members of the Missoula City Council on Monday gave final approval to a resolution urging the state Legislature to hand back local control on a number of issues, including a community's authority to regulate plastic.

The primary interest lies around single-uses plastics such as straws, stirrers, polystyrene containers and bags. Other states have regulated such plastics but under House Bill 407, adopted by the Legislature two years ago, Missoula and other interested Montana cities cannot.”

Jessica Abell writes in the Ravalli Republic on February 5, 2023: “In a world where both our temperatures and our politics are continually growing more heated, how do we cut through the culture wars to talk about our changing environment in a meaningful way?

A group of concerned Montanans is working to address just that through a series of live storytelling events across the state focused on people’s personal experiences related to our changing climate and how it has affected them, their businesses, agriculture or people and places they love.”

From the Missoulian, Jan. 20: “Under banners saying “Protect Our Home,” climate change advocates rallied at the state Capitol Friday, blasting inaction on climate and demanding politicians move on solutions.

“The Climate Advocacy Day featured a panel discussion with legislators, a climate fair and roundtable with activists, but it was a noon rally attended by nearly 300 people that anchored the event as attendees pushed their message of urgently needed action.” Read the full story.

By Sarah Aswell | Missoula Current

As a comedian and community organizer, I do think there are places comedy shouldn’t go… But when it comes to talking politics, taking on sensitive topics, and making fun of our most terrifying current issues, comedy isn’t just okay, it’s imperative.

We at Families for a Livable Climate recognize the power of storytelling, and we also acknowledge how important it is to speak up about climate change. We know, despite widespread misinformation and attempts to divide and silence us, that there is actually vast support for climate action - we simply have to normalize it and mobilize those who are concerned.