Over 20,000 died in western Europe’s summer heatwaves, figures show
GuardianNov 26, 2022
US: Oregon County Sues Fossil Fuel Companies Over 2021 Heatwave
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Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
On Thursday, Multnomah County in Oregon, which includes the city of Portland, filed a lawsuit in state court against several oil and coal companies, as well as industry groups and consultants, for over $50B to address costs allegedly associated with climate change.
Those named as defendants in the lawsuit include Exxon Mobil, Shell, the American Petroleum Institute, Koch Industries, and the consultancy firm McKinsey & Co.
The Spin
Right narrative
Climate change lawsuits are political stunts that have no chance of succeeding, as climate change is a political question, not a judicial one. Even liberal legal scholars have long argued that the court is not the right venue for environmental regulation. The overwhelming consensus is that climate change can only be addressed in Congress, not the courtroom, as progressives waste valuable time misusing the legal system.
Left narrative
The reality of climate change being connected to inclement weather events is incontestable, and it is simple logic that those who contribute to harm bear some responsibility. A series of procedural victories have opened the door for legal accountability for climate disasters and could force change in a manner similar to what happened to the tobacco companies. Even if the lawsuits don't succeed, the cases could reveal sensitive internal documents that could show the full extent of their malignant influence on politics and the planet.
