The US Supreme Court rejected the oilmen: The process for compensation for damages due to climate change is not stopped
The US Supreme Court has rejected a request by oil and gas companies to stop legal proceedings against them for damages caused by climate change.
The nation’s highest court, dominated by conservative justices, declined to hear the request, allowing the city of Honolulu to continue its lawsuit against oil and gas companies including Sunoco, Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobile and British Petroleum.
Conservative Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the decision-making process. He did not say why, but it was discovered that he has a stake in one of the companies targeted in the lawsuit.
Honolulu Representative Ben Sullivan said this is a significant decision that will protect “taxpayers and communities from the enormous costs and consequences of the climate crisis caused by the defendants’ harmful conduct.”
The fossil fuel industry is facing a series of lawsuits alleging it lied to the public about how the fuels contribute to climate change.
The governments of US states such as California, Colorado and New Jersey are seeking billions of dollars in damages due to massive wildfires, rising ocean levels and powerful storms.
All over the world, not only in America, there are lawsuits like this demanding compensation for climate change.
Naftaši attacked the court’s decision
The oil companies, many of which are based in Texas, have challenged a decision by Hawaii’s highest court that allowed the Honolulu city government to continue the case against them.
Those companies argue that greenhouse gas emissions are a national issue that should be dealt with in federal court, and federal courts have so far sided with the oil companies.
The administration of outgoing US President Joseph Biden, a Democrat, advocated for environmental protection and urged the Supreme Court to reject the oilmen’s request.
The incoming administration of Republican President Donald Trump has significantly different views and represents the interests of the fossil fuel industry.
Source: Beta
Photo: Pixabay
Source: bizlife.rs
