A county in Oregon, Multnomah County, has announced that it will file a complaint against several multinational oil companies to claim more than $51 billion from them after the extreme and deadly climatic episode known as the “heat dome” in 2021. The county alleges that carbon pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels generated by these companies played a significant role in this event. The companies targeted in the complaint include Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Total Specialties USA.
Multnomah County is seeking $50 million in damages and $1.5 billion for future damage, including extreme heat, drought, fires, and smoke, which are expected to become more common. Additionally, the county is asking the companies to contribute $50 billion to an impact reduction fund to upgrade the county’s infrastructure.
The heat dome in 2021 resulted in a record heatwave that affected the western United States and Canada. The death toll was estimated at 1,400, and a temperature of 49.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Lytton, British Columbia. According to an analysis by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), a group of scientists, this extreme event would have been virtually impossible without human-induced climate change, which has made it at least 150 times more likely.
In addition to the oil companies, the complaint also names the American Petroleum Institute and the firm McKinsey & Company. Multnomah County joins dozens of cities, counties, and states across the country in filing lawsuits against oil groups, accusing them of contributing to climate change and fueling misinformation. These lawsuits draw parallels to cases targeting big tobacco and pharmaceutical companies for their role in cigarettes and opiates.
The county’s complaint highlights the growing trend of holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their contribution to climate change and the resulting damages. As the impacts of climate change become more severe and costly, more communities and governments are seeking legal remedies to address the issue and push for a transition to cleaner energy sources.
How is Multnomah County in Oregon seeking to hold multinational oil companies accountable for the damages caused by the “heat dome” episode in 2021?
Multnomah County in Oregon has launched a complaint against several multinational oil companies, seeking over $51 billion in damages following the devastating “heat dome” episode in 2021. The county claims that carbon pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels from these companies played a significant role in the event. The companies named in the complaint include Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Total Specialties USA.
The county aims to secure $50 million in damages and $1.5 billion for future damage, including extreme heat, drought, fires, and smoke, which are expected to become more frequent. Additionally, Multnomah County is requesting that the companies contribute $50 billion to an impact reduction fund to enhance the county’s infrastructure.
The 2021 heat dome brought about a record-breaking heatwave that affected the western United States and Canada. The death toll was estimated to be 1,400, and it recorded a temperature of 49.6 degrees Celsius in Lytton, British Columbia. According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA), a group of scientists, this extreme event would have been nearly impossible without human-induced climate change, which has made it at least 150 times more likely.
The complaint not only targets the oil companies but also identifies the American Petroleum Institute and McKinsey & Company. Multnomah County joins numerous cities, counties, and states across the US in filing lawsuits against oil companies, accusing them of contributing to climate change and spreading misinformation. These lawsuits draw parallels to cases against big tobacco and pharmaceutical companies for their involvement in the cigarette and opioid crises.
The county’s complaint highlights the growing trend of holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in climate change and the resulting damages. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly severe and expensive, more communities and governments seek legal action to address the issue and promote a shift towards cleaner energy sources.
This lawsuit represents a crucial step towards holding multinational oil companies accountable for their contribution to the catastrophic ‘Heat Dome’ event. It highlights the urgent need to take bold action against climate change and protect the well-being of our communities.