tonight, i get to recognize a group of young people who are tackling climate change.
Tonight, I had the privilege of meeting a group of young people who are tackling climate change.
they sued the state of montana demanding their right to a clean and safe environment.
They sued Montana for their right to a clean and safe environment.
and here's the thing, they actually won it.
The truth is, they really won.
and this decision could be the first of many.
This decision may be the first of many.
these 16 young plaintiffs including activist vlases h**en't just won a court case, they h**e proven that it doesn't matter what age you are.
The 16 young plaintiffs, including activist Frass, not only won a court case, but also proved that age doesn't matter.
if you want to see change in the world, you can make it happen.
If you want to see the world change, you can make it happen.
i'm so happy to introduce claire and hand her the earth award on behalf of all 16 of the montana plaintiffs.
I am excited to introduce Claire to you and present the Earth Prize to her on behalf of the 16 plaintiffs in Montana.
please welcome claire vlases.
There is Claire Frass please.
thank you time for this incredible recognition.
Thank you Time Magazine for this incredible recognition.
i am honored to accept the earth award as one of 16 youth plaintiffs in the first-ever constitutional climate trial in us history held versus the state of montana.
I am honored to accept the Earth Prize as one of 16 young plaintiffs in the first-ever constitutional climate trial in U.S. history against Montana.
last june, we went to trial to hold our state government accountable for their actions in contributing to the climate crisis.
Last June, we held a trial holding our state** accountable for their actions that led to the climate crisis.
my fellow plaintiffs and i reled our experiences with climate change-related events in montana, such as fires, floods, and droughts.
I and other plaintiffs have shared our experiences with climate change-related events in Montana, such as fires, floods, and droughts.
we took the stand to protect our land, our homes, and our families.
We stand up to protect our land, our homes, and our families.
i surprised myself when testifying because the change felt real and tangible.
When I testified, I myself was surprised because the change felt real and tangible.
we were heard — by the court, by the montanans who bore witness to our testimony, and by the world.
The court, the Montana who testified for us, and the world at large listened to us.
in august, in a historic first, the court ruled wholly in our f**or, declaring that montana's laws promoting fossil fuels violate our constitutional rights to equal protection, to dignity, to liberty health and safety, and a clean and healthful environment.
In August, historically, the court fully sided with us, ruling that Montana's law promoting fossil fuels violated our constitutional rights to equal protection, dignity, freedom, health and safety, and a clean and healthy environment.
this landmark decision requires montana government agencies to consider their role in climate change.
This landmark decision requires Montana** agencies to consider their role in climate change.
it also sets a precedent internationally for similar youth-led climate litigation.
It also sets a precedent for similar youth-led climate litigation internationally.
receiving this award is a testament to the unw**ering commitment of all young people taking climate action — not just the 16 of us in montana.
Winning this award is a testament to the strong commitment of all young people to take climate action, not just our 16 individuals in Montana.
to those who are tirelessly advocating for a safer future, this award is validation.
This award is a validation for those who work tirelessly for a safer future.
our voices matter, our passions and actions result in justice.
Our voices matter, and our passion and actions bring justice.
change is happening.
Change is happening.
it is my hope that in this coming year, we surprise ourselves.
I hope that in the coming year, we will surprise ourselves.
we ought to awe ourselves by going beyond the expectations for which we can be a giver, a leader, a supporter, a listener, and an activist.
We should be in awe of ourselves by going beyond expectations, and we can be givers, leaders, supporters, listeners, and activists.
surprise yourself and your actions, they'll surprise the world.
Surprise yourself and your actions, they will surprise the world.
thank you, time.
Thank you, Time.
and thank you for the legal support from our children's trust a nonprofit that represents young people like me around the world seeking climate justice.
Thank you for the legal support provided by our Children's Trust**, a non-profit organisation that seeks climate justice around the world on behalf of young people like me.
lastly, thank you to my fellow plaintiffs who continue to inspire and show resilience, courage, dedication, and a willingness to be vulnerable.
Finally, thank you to my fellow plaintiffs who continue to inspire me and show resilience, courage, dedication, and willingness to face vulnerability.
especially when sharing difficult stories with the court and the world about how we h**e been impacted by climate change.
Especially when it comes to sharing the difficult story of how we are affected by climate change with the courts and the world.
young people are demanding climate justice and we will not stop until we secure it for everyone everywhere.
Young people are demanding climate justice, and we will not stop until climate justice is ensured for everyone, everywhere.
thank you.
Thank you.