USAT's Women of the Year: One of the Montana youth challenging the state to protect climate

Eva Lighthiser knows the beauty of a river, growing up in Livingston, Montana, where the picturesque Yellowstone River straddles the east side of a Big Sky city. She also knows a river's power, having been separated from her own home when a flooded Shields River, a tributary of the Yellowstone, took out an access bridge on the family property. And she knows a river's potential for destruction, having spent time hauling sand bags to protect her community when unprecedented rainfall in Montana swelled the Yellowstone in 2022, captured in images of highways leading to Yellowstone National Park being torn apart by landslides and floodwaters.

Lighthiser also believes in a fundamental right to a world where disasters like the 2022 floods do not have to become commonplace. That ethic of environmental care connected her with 16 other young people in her state about four years years ago, through a Oregon-based organization called Our Children's Trust. Those relationships started a journey that reached a historic waypoint in 2023 when the Held v. Montana lawsuit, often referred to as the youth climate trial, unfolded in a Helena, Montana, courtroom and issued a judgment in favor of the young people who argued that Montana's Environmental Policy Act must ask state agencies to consider climate impacts when conducting environmental reviews, in consideration of how environmental change affects future generations.

"From a young age, I cared a lot about my natural environment," Lighthiser, now 17, said. "My surroundings meant a lot to me."

More: Meet USA TODAY's women of the year from across the nation

Each of the 16 teenagers who joined the case, named for lead plaintiff Rikki Held, the only youth over 18 years old when the trial began, had a different reason for doing so. Lighthiser said she was inspired, and at times heartbroken, by testimony each gave during the court proceedings. She expresses gratitude for being involved, with a verdict in hand but with appeals having been filed by the state of Montana, and is using the Held case as a stepping stone to continue to inspire and advocate. Lighthiser spoke at a first-ever youth climate summit in her hometown, sharing her message with peers, she plans on pursuing writing after wrapping up her homeschool studies this spring, and she'll continue to embrace the hiking, skiing, rafting and more that she enjoys in her home state.

"I learned the value of my voice, and about what it could do," Lighthiser said. "It's important to connect with young people and have knowledge of what we all can do to move forward and affect positive change."

Who paved the way for you?

Long before Held v. Montana was filed in March of 2020, the Juliana v. United States case had been working toward trial (with constant opposition from the federal government) for years. Without the 21 plaintiffs fighting at the federal level in Juliana, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

What is your proudest moment?

On the first day of trial, all of us plaintiffs walked up the front path of the courthouse and were met with supporters lining each side, cheering us on, and holding up signs and posters. In that moment, everything felt so real and alive.

What is your definition of courage?

Stepping out and being vulnerable in order to chase your dreams and fight your fight, even if your words are not heard at first and it feels nearly impossible.

Is there a guiding principle or mantra you tell yourself?

Not really, but I do always try and remember this: allow the words of the people supporting you to speak louder than the ones who don’t.

Who do you look up to?

I look up to all the dreamers who fight endlessly for a safer and happier world.

How do you overcome adversity?

I think overcoming adversity has a lot to do with just being willing to put one foot in front of the other and facing the odds. When I was called to testify I was nervous, worrying about how people might perceive my words. However, when I was finally before the courtroom, I remembered that I was telling my own story and I needed to breathe.

What advice would you give your younger self?

There’s only so much worrying you can do over the things you can’t control. While this world is a tumultuous place, don’t forget to laugh, smile, and spend time with good people.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Montana climate activist honored by USA TODAY for leading change