Causes.com
| 4.19.22
Fossil Fuel Industry Faces Lawsuits for False Climate Change Information
Do you think the fossil fuel industry has been lying about the dangers of climate change?
What’s the story?
- More than two dozen cities, states, and counties are suing fossil fuel corporations in hopes of receiving compensation for damages caused by climate change, all while urging Big Oil to take responsibility.
- The lawsuits cite reports showing that oil companies understood the danger of climate change decades ago but led campaigns of deception to undermine the science and confuse the public anyway.
- The lawsuits accuse more than 40 fossil fuel companies of promoting disinformation, including BP, ExxonMobil, Suncor, Shell, American Petroleum Institute, and Koch Industries.
Who is suing Big Oil?
- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is suing ExxonMobil under the state’s consumer protection laws, calling out the corporations for strategically fostering uncertainty in climate science.
- John Tecklenburg, Mayor of Charleston, South Carolina, says the city is on the front line of climate change and needs funding for climate resiliency plans. The city is demanding Big Oil take responsibility and contribute to the solution.
- Boulder and San Miguel County, Colorado, are suing ExxonMobil and Suncor because of extreme drought and destructive fires, which caused millions of dollars worth of repairs. The towns want the corporations to pay for the damages. Similarly, Baltimore, Maryland, is seeking to hold oil and gas companies accountable for the damages and costs of climate change.
- Oil companies argued that these cases belong in federal court, where laws and regulations related to drilling, emissions, and refining processes would invalidate the local governments’ claims. The Baltimore, Boulder, and San Miguel County cases will stay in state court, allowing local communities to receive payments rather than focusing on broader policy issues.
Why is Big Oil under scrutiny?
- There have been a number of recent investigations ― by the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, and Inside Climate News ― that showed oil companies were aware of the risks posed by climate change but sought to invalidate evidence showing their industry’s role. While some specific companies publicly accepted the science behind climate change and pledged to be a leader in climate action, they also continue to fuel climate denial behind closed doors.
- Creating uncertainty or doubt is a tactic that has been used by corporations for decades to decrease their own responsibility and put it onto individuals.
- For example, after BP became one of the first companies to declare its commitment to combating climate change in 1997, its carbon emissions barely budged. In 2018, BP was the main contributor to a campaign opposing a carbon fee initiative in Washington state, and in 2019, the Guardian ranked BP as the 6th largest emitter of global greenhouse gases. In 2020, BP set a goal to become a net zero company by 2050, and just a few months later, Greenpeace found that BP had failed to disclose eight anti-climate trade associations.
Big Oil’s response
- The oil companies argue that federal energy and pollution policies should preempt state claims and that their actions have followed federal regulations on drilling, refining, and distributing fossil fuels.
- Some companies told CBS Sunday Morning that they are working to combat climate change and that these lawsuits do nothing to advance that goal.
- ExxonMobil, named in at least two dozen climate change lawsuits filed by local governments, said, “The claims are baseless and without merit.”
- Phil Goldberg, an attorney for a group assisting the fossil fuel industry, said, “Fighting climate change requires policymaking, not lawsuits.”
- William Allison, spokesperson for Energy In Depth, claims that climate change is a national issue that requires federal solutions, not state-by-state rulings.
What do you think? Do you believe “Big Oil” has been misleading the public's beliefs on climate change?
-Jamie Epstein
(Photo Credit: iStock.com / Schroptschop)
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Climate & Consumption
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Large companies and industry groups need to be held accountable for damages caused by knowingly and willfully disregarding the consequences of their profit-first decisions.
Intentional disinformation regarding known hazards of an industry's products is a violation of the public trust that allows them to market their wares to a public market.
There is ample established precedent for individuals and government entities to recoup losses incurred by these actions: asbestos hazards, the tobacco industry, the intentionally engineered opioid crisis to get people addicted for profits, ill-advised and known to be deficient medical devices, carcinogenic insecticides and so on.
The real test here will be how the politicians who are owned by big-oil respond - as well as how the Federalist Society’s hand-picked, business-first judiciary responds.
People & companies need to be held accountable for disinformation but I'm concerned about the standards on what is information and disinformation, and the knowledge levels in courts when it comes to medicine, science & technology since most judges don't have a background in this. Also I see this more akin to publish medical journals where editors review the sources and then it's opened to peer review, or an academic setting where professors review the quality and type of references used per the hierarchy of evidence. At least judges are experienced in legal evidence. Can they adapt to other types of evidence structures? Or will it require training?
The Federal Court of Appeals just heand the 1st case from the City of Baltimore that has experienced high costs for millions of dollars of damage from floods, expensive infrastructure upgrades, heat waves and rising seas.
Several cities (Oakland, CA., New York, NY, Annapolis, MD, Charleston, SC, Honolulu, HI) and states (MN, DE, RI) are also filing suits.
https://www.npr.org/2022/01/25/1075560742/oil-lawsuit-climate-change-baltimore
As I understand the situation, there are hundreds, if not thousands of existing leases that are not being used. Oil companies should exercise their existing leases and we should be working to ween ourselves off oil.
When will politicians are going to be held accountable for their climate change misinformation? Our world supposed to have ended decades ago but the climate alarmist zealots keep missinforming the people just to gain power.
Do you believe “Big Oil” has been misleading the public's beliefs on climate change?
YES!
ExxonMobil is named in at least two dozen climate change lawsuits filed by local governments and said, “The claims are baseless and without merit.”
Bull!
Scientists have been warning the public for decades!
Phil Goldberg, an attorney for a group assisting the fossil fuel industry message against these lawsuits, said, “Fighting climate change requires policymaking, not lawsuits.”
More Bull!
The very companies with lobby money meant to shape policy in Fossil Fuel's interests and now trying to hide behind inadequate policies. Wow!
Unfortunately, we have had too many feckless politicians!
William Allison, spokesperson for Energy In Depth, claims that climate change is a national issue that requires federal solutions, not state-by-state rulings.
What do you think?
I think the lawyers and spokespersons are a bunch of damn weasles!
As someone else said, they are using the Big Tobacco playbook.
The breadth and depth of evidence is against the fossil fuel industry. As to the law? We'll see.
May Truth and Justice Prevail!
This is one of the biggest jokes in America. These big oil companies donate millions into the coffers of every party running for office. There is no way will our Congress ever vote against oil or pharmaceuticals in this country. At the price of oil or drugs, no way will out spineless Congress or Presidency ever go against oil or pharmaceuticals. No matter how hig oceans rise or people die of opioids. I firmly believe this ever since 1967 in fighting for the stopping of communism.
This is nothing but another another attempt to take down the oil and gas industry by Left Wing climate activist. Trying to kill the very thing that sustains us and keeps us beholden to our enemies. If rising sea levels were such a threat, celebrities and rich politicians wouldn't continue to build their mansions on ocean front property.
I understand that there are people who are concerned about climate control. I would like to ask just one question, are other countries doing anything to stop climate control? No they are not and they don't intend to do anything on climate control. One country cannot stop climate control. The atmosphere goes around the world it does not stay in one place. When you are outside and you feel the wind blowing, and you can see the wind blowing because it moves leaves in any debris. The wind carries whatever is happening in other countries around the world including America. I personally do not think it's time for electric cars. Do you know how long it would take to charge an electric car? I can't get an answer from anyone. Am I seriously worried about climate control. No I'm not. Not until the rest of the world does the very same thing that Joe Biden wants the American people to go through.
The fossil fuel industry aided by Republicans has done everything possible to obstruct climate action.
Exxon's own scientists were the first to scream about the dangers of their employers products on the atmosphere and the dangers of global warming. Instead of doing what is right they took the route of the tobacco industry to deny and delay any attempt to deal with an catastrophe that is already now here. Some dangerous tipping points have already been reached.
Very concerned about the health of our planet, considering our lives, our childrens lives & lives of future generations whose futures depend on our planet.
unfortunately our politicians appear to care more about themselves than they do about the planet or the rest of us.
while I realize they get massive donations from Fossil fuel & therefore vote in their favor. It is time they too are held accountable and
Where are the fumes coming ln the air we breathe??
Of course big oil has been paying for studies that lie about climate change for years! Do we have enough proof yet??? But they don't need to worry about the lawsuits because the last President and his Senate filled so many paid-for judges seats with unqualified people who are beholden to those who put them there, that big oil doesn't have to worry. Those judges know who brought them to the dance, all the way to the top.
The question itself is its own answer. The people over fossil fuels do NOT care about the climate, the animals, including humans who live on this planet. NO thinking person would doubt that the fossil fuel industry has been lying through its collective teeth about the effects they have on our climate. Their lies have killed and will continue to kill as long as money dictates how our government is run. Citizen United MUST go.
I think the fossil fuel industry has been lying about the dangers of climate change.
Anything that involves old white males making money without any concern for the people buying their product you can bet they're lying to keep the bucks flowing in, and under the guise of they have to because of their shareholders...I say bah humbug!!
I know the green energy promoters are manipulating their info
The fossil fuel industry has been lying about climate change and its role in heating up the planet as long as big tobacco has lied about its role is causing cancer. It time to shut off the tax deductions , tax their capital gains and stop drilling.
In 1912 the prediction of this crisis was first published. Internal documents indicate they have known about the climate disaster they were causing for DECADES! Also clear is the evidence that they set about intentionally supressing that information and rejecting or discoouraging and reasearch or reports that would make the extent of the looming disaster clear in any way that might impact their profits! I know of no basis in law or government that would excuse this or make it immune form legal action. They have knowlingly risked the lives of everyone on the planet!
The rich and powerful have proven over and over again throughout history they will do anything to retain that wealth and power, including lying and covering up things that damage the health and well-being of not only people but the environment as well. I firmly believe there is a special place in hell for these people.
Maybe companies are lying to us. However government could also be lying to us. Any tax imposed into private companies is later transferred to its consumers.
+This is pure politics IMO & it's dangerous. Criminalizing political differences is also un-American.
We need vigorous non-fossil fuel programs to wean us off of this pollutant and to restore our environment.
This issue is directly addressed in this week's Frontline airing on pbs.
https://www.pbs.org/video/power-big-oil-preview//
It's always about money greed and corrupton! What they can't get through their heads is that money doesn't mean anything without our planet!
I know they have I have watched the Congressional hearings
https://www.c-span.org/video/?515662-1/hearing-global-climate-change
In other news: I certainly hope that 6billion Manchin wants and Biden promised for nuclear reactor maintenance comes with Manchin's signature on the passage of Biden's national free preschool initiative. Students loans were a good start but more work needs to happen. I am sick of this bare minimum shit.
Why do Democrats keep handing over every single ounce of leverage they could be using to pass Biden's Human Infrastructure⁉️
Republicans certainly won't pass a dime if bottom up funding should they take back the House/Senate, remember those food lines during the pandemic? I do.
For a group of such well seasoned politicians with decades of experience, you all suck at negotiating!
We need leaders willing to fight for Americans at every opportunity, not some Corporate Dems pretending to be progressive new deal masters, while working behind the scenes to tank human infrastructure.
You might also want to forget about any donations until that stock act is past. Legislators made billions in insider trading last quarter. More than I will make in my entire lifetime. You have plenty of funds to support your campaign you don't need mine or any American who makes less than 400k a year. Besides, what good will it do? Even with your billions in the bank, Dems are still incapable of building an effective messaging strategy. Hell, I am not even sure Dem truly want to win the midterms.
https://jacobinmag.com/2021/12/the-democrats-are-trying-to-lose
Democrats might get my vote out of fear of handing over my country to a tribe of wannabe dictators, but they won't get a single cent in donations until they start taking their role in protecting/providing safety nets for this nation's kids! -Joe Neguse and Michael Bennet being an obvious exception as they both worked tirelessly to craft and pass the first round of the CTC.