Speakers & Moderators

Rikki is one of the 16 young plaintiffs (aged 5 to 22) in the landmark climate case Held v. State of Montana in the United States, which asserts the right to a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

Growing up on her family’s ranch in southeastern Montana, Rikki witnessed firsthand the increasing climate impacts on her surroundings, including water variability, drought, and wildfires. She and the other plaintiffs testified about the consequences of climate change they experienced, while experts confirmed that the state’s actions promoting fossil fuels were driving the climate crisis and harming the plaintiffs. These experts also highlighted that alternatives such as renewable energy are both economically and technically viable.

In August 2023, Judge Seeley of the district court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, affirming that Montanans’ constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment requires addressing the climate crisis and the impacts of fossil fuels.