Missoula Gives is May 4-5! Donate to support our work to bring climate conversations skills workshops to more Montanans and create support for solutions.

David Gelles | New York Times

In March of 2020, 16 young Montanans, with support from the nonprofit law firm, Our Children’s Trust, filed a lawsuit against the State of Montana. The plaintiffs argue that the state’s support of a fossil fuel-driven energy system is violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. The trial is historic: the first ever constitutional climate trial and first ever children’s climate trial in U.S. history.

The Montana Public Service Commission is accepting public comment on NorthWestern Energy’s recent proposed rate increases, which are tied to increased investments in fossil fuel infrastructure. Learn more and submit your comment by April 11, 2023.

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.”

On January 20, a coalition of 17 organizations across Montana convened in Helena, centering climate stories and action at the Capitol’s very first Climate Advocacy Day. The rally drew over 300 attendees from throughout the state, including Billings, Livingston, the Flathead, Butte, Bozeman, and Missoula. Singing songs and welcoming speakers from around the state, we gathered to have a public conversation about climate change in one of our most important public spaces–our state government. 

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.

This Giving Tuesday, we are asking for your support to help us break climate silence and build momentum for bold climate action in Montana. Here are some ways you can join our community for stories, skills, advocacy, and action.