Multnomah County Sues Fossil Fuel Companies for Heat Dome Event and Climate Damage

Multnomah County Files Lawsuit Against Fossil Fuel Companies Over Heat Dome Event

Multnomah County, located in Oregon, has filed a lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies, including Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Total Specialties USA. The county claims that carbon pollution caused by the use of fossil fuels generated by these groups played a “significant” role in the heat dome event that occurred in late June 2021.

According to Jessica Vega Pederson, the president of Multnomah County, the heat dome event is directly attributed to the impacts of climate change caused by the actions of fossil fuel groups and their agencies. These groups have been denying climate science for decades. The 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.

The record-breaking heat wave that hit the western United States and Canada during late June to mid-July 2021 resulted in a death toll estimated at 1,400. In Lytton, British Columbia, a temperature of 49.6 degrees Celsius was recorded. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group have analyzed the event and concluded that it would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change, which has made it at least 150 times more likely.

The lawsuit filed by Multnomah County also names the American Petroleum Institute and the firm McKinsey & Company. The county claims that over three days at the end of June 2021, it suffered from extreme heat, leading to the death of 69 people. Taxpayer money had to be spent on providing water, air conditioners, and cooling centers. The lawsuit argues that the heat dome was a direct consequence of the defendants’ decision to sell large quantities of fossil fuel products over the past six decades. The county accuses the multinationals of lying about the harmful effects of their activities.

Multnomah County’s lawsuit is part of a growing trend of cities, counties, and states across the United States filing lawsuits against oil groups, holding them accountable for their contribution to climate change and spreading misinformation. Similar lawsuits against the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries have set a precedent for these cases.

The fossil fuel industry has been fighting to avoid state lawsuits, but in May, the Supreme Court declined to entertain appeals in two cases, allowing the lawsuits to proceed. Multnomah County’s move adds to the momentum of these legal actions.

In addition to seeking damages, Multnomah County is asking the companies to allocate $50 billion into an impact “mitigation fund” to upgrade the county’s infrastructure. The county aims to create a cleaner and healthier environment for its residents and mitigate the future impacts of climate change.

The lawsuit filed by Multnomah County highlights the urgent need for accountability and action to address the role of fossil fuel companies in exacerbating climate change. As the impacts of global warming continue to intensify, communities are demanding justice and seeking solutions to protect their residents and the planet.

How does the filing of this lawsuit contribute to the larger trend of legal action against fossil fuel companies for their role in climate change

Nge.

Multnomah County’s lawsuit argues that the fossil fuel companies named are responsible for a significant portion of the carbon emissions that have contributed to climate change. The county alleges that these companies have known about the risks associated with their products for decades but have engaged in a campaign of climate change denial and misinformation to protect their profits.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate for the costs associated with the heat dome event and the future impacts of climate change. The county plans to use these funds to invest in proactive measures to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect the residents of Multnomah County.

The filing of this lawsuit is part of a growing trend of legal action against fossil fuel companies for their role in causing climate change. Similar lawsuits have been filed by other cities, counties, and states across the United States, as well as by countries around the world. These legal actions seek to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for the damages caused by their products and to encourage a shift towards renewable energy sources.

While the outcome of the lawsuit remains uncertain, its filing sends a strong message about the need for climate action and the responsibility of fossil fuel companies to address the impacts of their products. As the effects of climate change continue to worsen, it is likely that we will see more legal challenges aimed at holding those responsible accountable for their contributions to this global crisis.