The Californian Government has opened a lawsuit against some of the world’s largest oil corporations, including Shell and BP, over their role in worsening the climate crisis.
The U.S. state says these companies deceived Californians through misleading advertising, and deliberately downplayed the risk of fossil fuels as early as the 1970s.
It claims this led to a “delayed societal response” to climate change.
California climate events
California experienced several extreme weather events in recent years like floods, fires, and severe heat. This includes a 10-day heatwave last year, believed to have killed.
The Government says major oil companies have played a key role in the increasing regularity of these events.
The California oil lawsuit
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On Friday, California’s Government launched legal action against five large oil companies – Shell, BP, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips.
It claims Californians have suffered, and will continue to suffer, from negative impacts on the climate, driven by oil and gas operations.
The Government says oil executives prioritised profits over the environment, “while sticking taxpayers with the bill for the damages”.
What do they want from the lawsuit?
They want
