California accuses Big Oil of covering up climate change risks in lawsuit

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🗞️ Driving the news: California has taken legal action against several of the world's major oil companies, including ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP, alleging that they misled the public for years regarding the detrimental effects of burning fossil fuels on the environment

🔭 The context: The lawsuit contends that oil and gas executives were aware of the calamitous consequences of depending on fossil fuels; however, they deliberately spread misleading information, leading to a sluggish societal response to global warming
• This delay has caused billions in damages for California, manifesting as droughts, extensive wildfires, and severe storms

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The lawsuit seeks compensation for the climate change-related costs California has incurred and aims to halt further pollution by these entities
• This move follows California's recent law compelling major polluters to disclose carbon emissions from their products' supply and consumption

⏭️ What's next: This legal endeavor is the latest among over 40 climate litigation cases lodged by U.S. states and cities against the oil and gas sector — whose outcomes will be decisive in determining the responsibilities of major polluters toward the general public

💬 One quote: "For more than 50 years, Big Oil has been lying to us." (Gavin Newsom, California governor)

📈 One stat: Between 2017 and summer 2023, climate-related court cases worldwide have doubled, with the majority filed in the U.S

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