Unity and Action: The Way Forward to Protecting Constitutional Rights
January 30, 2026
Rikki Held speaking at an event after the historic Held v. Montana climate trial in Helena, Montana. Photo by Robin Loznak.
Rikki Held lit up as she spoke of being home again after serving as a volunteer in the Peace Corps for two years. “It’s good to be back on ground that I’ve grown up on.”
Just weeks after returning from Kenya, Rikki has filed her third constitutional rights climate lawsuit as lead plaintiff in Held v. State of Montana II, a case that seeks to force the state to comply with the landmark climate ruling the Montana Supreme Court issued in Held in December 2024. Instead of responding to that decision by curbing Montana’s fossil fuel pollution and protecting Montana’s youth, the 2025 Legislature sought to undermine Held and passed new laws that limit state agencies’ ability to consider climate impacts at all or regulate greenhouse gas pollution. Rikki is also a plaintiff in Lighthiser v. Trump, which argues that three of President Trump’s Executive Orders that are unleashing fossil fuels, blocking renewable energy, and dismantling climate science are unconstitutional.
Fifteen other young Montanans have also joined Rikki in this new lawsuit, including twelve of the original Held plaintiffs. “A lot of us have said we feel we have to do this,” Rikki says of her fellow plaintiffs. “After Held, we have the foundation laid out, and now we need to build on that, as these laws we’re challenging were meant to undermine the decision in Held, and they’re violating our state constitution and that court ruling.”
Although Rikki and her fellow plaintiffs hold this responsibility with dignity and care, she explains that in an ideal world, youth wouldn’t have to bring these cases. “I don't think that youth should have to do this because we're not the ones in positions of power. However, climate change will affect us disproportionately. We’re growing up fast, and these cases move slowly through the court systems.”
Rikki Held and her fellow Held v. Montana youth plaintiffs heading to court for the first-of-its-kind climate trial. Photo by Robin Loznak.
Climate Harms in Kenya
Montana is not the only place Rikki has witnessed climate change. During her two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, she witnessed the effects of a changing climate on the Kenyan community where she lived.
During her time there, there were extreme flooding events and seasons of drought. “People are experiencing climate impacts there. My host family couldn’t plant during the last planting season because there was no rain.”
Frequent power outages and electrical instability were disruptors at the school where Rikki served as a science educator. Through a USAID grant, the school was able to install solar panels, utilizing a renewable energy source to solve the ongoing issue.
“It’s similar to my hometown,” Rikki reflects. “Climate change isn’t necessarily talked about a lot in southeastern Montana, but people depend on that environmental system and the predictability of the seasons to go about their daily lives.”
Protecting Montanans, Protecting the Constitution
“We have a wonderful constitution in Montana, with lots of important rights we need to protect.” Rikki says. “It was formed by people on both sides of the political lines. We had ranchers, educators, clergy, businessmen, scientists, all these people came together to make our constitution what it is. This isn’t a political issue—or it shouldn’t be. Both sides of the political lines need to stick with our constitution and continue protecting our people.”
Even as matters of constitutional rights become politicized, Rikki believes we must work together. “It’s important to continue conversations across political lines. We can’t just get stuck on our own lines. I’ve had a lot of conversations with ranchers and people from around Montana. For the most part, we agree on most issues. We want to protect our environment, people want to conserve our land, history, and values and move forward in ways that benefit us all.”
Rikki Held with her horses. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Alton.
Taking Action
“Being a part of this whole process has given me a positive light on collective action, because we can’t do any of this alone. This issue is much bigger than ourselves. To make a big systematic impact, it involves a lot of people. It involves scientists and lawyers, people working on the ground doing grassroots efforts, youth who are worried about this issue and want to stand up for what’s right.”
As for a message for supporters and youth wanting to make a difference, Rikki encourages people to keep doing what they can. “I’ve had so many people share with me that they don’t feel like what they do would matter. I can get overwhelmed and feel that way too, but it’s not all on you. The world isn’t on one individual’s shoulders, yet everyone has a role they can play. Taking steps forward, taking action on what you care about, that’s when change happens.”
“Worrying isn’t useful,” Rikki continues. “I know worry happens to all of us, but taking action, doing something, even if it’s a little thing, is always a good step forward. Things may be slow to change, but it’s important we’re doing something.”