As summer draws to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on recent climate news and remember that polluters must be held accountable for climate damage. Oil and gas companies are increasingly being targeted by governments, which are increasing pressure and tightening the screws on polluters.
2024: The Earth is overheating
Next Record Breaker Not only was 2023 the hottest year on record, it also set new records for ocean temperatures, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice loss, and glacial retreat, but 2024 was no year of rest either. Wildfires ravaged Western Canada, wiping out much of the iconic Jasper. Record floods hit Quebec, and deadly heat waves swept across the country. The global increase in extreme weather is also impacting Canada (see the end of this blog for a detailed (though not exhaustive) list of Canada’s extreme weather events this summer).
The government has issued a tough challenge to oil companies.
Fortunately, several jurisdictions around the world are beginning to sue polluters, including oil and gas companies, to hold them accountable for their pollution and make them pay the costs of the climate impacts they play a part in. Recently, the state of Vermont has filed a lawsuit against the state. Initial state The U.S. passed a law requiring oil giants to compensate them for a portion of the damage caused by climate disasters like the summer floods and other devastating extreme weather events. This is a major win for the climate, as states like Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York are considering similar measures. Increasing numbers Chicago, New York, Californiais suing fossil fuel companies for misleading the public about the climate crisis. Today, 1 in 4 Americans You live in a city or state where legal action has been taken against these companies for defrauding the public.
In the United States, 10,000 survivors of climate disasters Puerto Rico recently called for a federal investigation into “climate crimes” committed by big oil companies. Lawsuit seeking $1 billion The company has sought damages from those companies, arguing that the oil industry knew about the dangers of their products, but it is now the island that is bearing the brunt of the consequences. In a related lawsuit, Chevron agreed to pay $550 million to the Richmond City Council as part of a settlement following proposed new taxes on oil company refineries in the city. Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez Welcomed the settlement While he called this a historic moment, he stressed that the fight to protect Richmond’s environment is far from over.
“The Richmond community created a movement that resonated across the nation.” Martinez said. “What happened here proves to the region, the nation and the world that when we come together, we can make a difference. And by standing up for environmental justice, as we have, other communities can help, through action and negotiation, demand that polluters do the right thing.”
When was Canada founded? Climate Resilience Fund?
Canada comes amid increased scrutiny of oil and gas companies Climate Resilience Fund To address the damage caused by the climate crisis.
What we need Climate Resilience Fund Helping communities and local governments prepare for, respond to, and adapt to extreme weather.
This fund will be used to:
- Repairing direct and indirect damage caused by the impacts of climate change within Canada and abroad.
- Adapt to extreme weather and cover the costs.
- Building resilience in communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Together, we can change the world, hold polluters accountable, and make our communities stronger and safer.
We cannot afford any more alarm bells. The climate crisis is here and now. I have conveyed this to Finance Minister Freeland and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Guilbeault. Climate Resilience Fund Something fossil fuel companies should pay.
*Here are some of Canada’s recent extreme weather events, provided by Exxon, BP, Shell, Chevron and more.
In recent months, climate disasters have emerged and intensified in Canada and around the world. For more information, see The Guardian’s Extreme Weather page.
