Multnomah County in Oregon has announced its intention to file a complaint against several multinational oil companies, seeking more than $51 billion in damages. The county claims that these companies are responsible for the “heat dome” episode in 2021, which resulted in extreme and deadly climatic conditions.
According to Multnomah County, the use of fossil fuels by these oil companies has significantly contributed to carbon pollution, which played a major role in the heat dome event. The companies targeted in the complaint include Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Total Specialties USA.
County Chairwoman Jessica Vega Pederson stated that the heat dome is a direct consequence of the actions of fossil fuel groups and their agencies, who have been denying climate science for decades.
The county is seeking $50 million in damages and $1.5 billion for future damage caused by extreme heat, drought, fires, and smoke, which are expected to become more common. Additionally, Multnomah County is asking the companies to contribute $50 billion to an impact reduction fund to upgrade the county’s infrastructure.
The heat wave in late June to mid-July 2021 had a devastating impact on the western United States and Canada, with a death toll estimated at 1,400. The highest recorded temperature during this period was 49.6 degrees Celsius in Lytton, British Columbia.
An analysis by the World Weather Attribution (WWA), a group of scientists, suggests that the heat dome would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change, which has made such events at least 150 times more likely.
The complaint filed by Multnomah County also includes the American Petroleum Institute and the firm McKinsey & Company. The county claims that during the three days of extreme heat in June 2021, 69 people died, and taxpayers’ money had to be spent on water, air conditioners, and cooling centers.
The complaint accuses the defendants of knowingly lying about the harmful effects of their activities and holds them responsible for the direct and foreseeable consequences of selling fossil fuel products over the past six decades.
Multnomah County joins numerous cities, counties, and states across the country in filing lawsuits against oil groups, accusing them of contributing to climate change and spreading misinformation.
This wave of lawsuits against the fossil fuel industry began in 2017. While the industry has tried to avoid state lawsuits, it suffered a setback when the Supreme Court refused to entertain appeals in two cases last May, allowing the cases to proceed.
These lawsuits draw inspiration from previous cases targeting big names in tobacco and pharmaceuticals, concerning cigarettes and opiates. Richard Wiles, President of the Center for Climate Integrity, emphasized that people should not be forced to pay the price for catastrophic climate damage while the companies responsible continue to profit and spread lies.
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What is Multnomah County’s larger strategy in seeking financial damages from the oil companies, and how could these funds be utilized to address climate resilience measures
, including Multnomah County in Oregon. Temperatures soared to record-breaking highs, surpassing 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) in many areas. The extreme heat led to numerous heat-related deaths, strained local infrastructure, and caused widespread wildfires, exacerbating an already dire situation.
Multnomah County’s complaint alleges that the multinational oil companies named in the suit have knowingly contributed to the rise in carbon emissions and subsequent climate change. These emissions, primarily from the combustion of fossil fuels, have been identified by scientists as a major driver of global warming and its associated extreme weather events.
The county’s case rests on the argument that the oil companies had long been aware of the detrimental impact their products have on the environment and public health, yet deliberately misled the public and lawmakers about the science of climate change. Multnomah County claims that this disinformation campaign and the continued extraction and promotion of fossil fuels are responsible for the devastating consequences felt during the heat dome event.
Filing this complaint is part of Multnomah County’s larger strategy to hold major contributors to climate change accountable for their actions. By seeking significant financial damages, the county hopes not only to recover costs associated with the heat dome but also to send a powerful message to the fossil fuel industry. The funds awarded could be used to invest in climate resilience measures, such as improving infrastructure to better handle extreme heat, drought, and the increased risk of wildfires.
Multnomah County’s lawsuit against Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Total Specialties USA is just one example of the growing trend of communities and governments taking legal action against corporations for their role in climate change. As the impacts of climate change become more severe and widespread, many are seeking to hold those responsible accountable and push for a transition to clean energy sources.
While the outcome of the lawsuit is uncertain, Multnomah County’s action marks a significant step in the fight against climate change, as local governments increasingly recognize the need to address both the causes and consequences of global warming.
