AFPEA wildfire in California’s Moreno Valley in July
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 22:59
The American state of California is taking on five major oil and gas groups, including Shell and ExxonMobil, in court. According to the public prosecutor, the companies are guilty of downplaying the risks of using fossil fuels for decades. California also holds the companies responsible for the consequences of climate change, citing flooding, extreme heat and loss of biodiversity.
The companies in question are Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, Shell and ExxonMobil. Trade association American Petroleum Institute is also being taken to court in San Francisco. California Governor Newsom says his state is “taking action to hold big polluters accountable.”
Since the 1950s
According to the lawsuit, the companies have known since the 1950s that fossil fuel use is warming the planet, but have chosen to deny or downplay it. “They have fed us lies and untruths to make record profits at the expense of our environment. Enough is enough,” the prosecutor said. For example, according to the state, billions of dollars have been spent spreading disinformation about climate change.
As far as the plaintiff is concerned, the oil companies must pay for the damage suffered and contribute to a fund. This should fund measures to tackle the consequences of climate change, such as protecting homes and infrastructure against rising sea levels.
‘Greenwashing’
“I’ve been lying for more than fifty years Big Oil against us,” said Democratic Governor Newsom. “California taxpayers should not be left to foot the bill for billions of dollars in damage: wildfires that wipe out communities, toxic smoke that pollutes our air, deadly heat waves and drought that dries up our water sources.”
Newsom also says that the companies are still working on greenwashingfor example by promoting certain types of fuel as environmentally friendly.
Trade association American Petroleum Institute tells Reuters that it is up to the American Congress to decide on climate policy, and not the courts. Shell comes up with a similar response. “We do not believe that the courtroom is the right place to address climate change,” the oil and gas company said.
2023-09-16 20:59:21
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