· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A recent poll reveals that the majority of US voters support climate litigation against major oil companies, with almost half favoring the filing of criminal charges
• This aligns with the world's first criminal climate lawsuit filed in France last week and suggests potential jury support for similar cases in the US
🔭 The context: The poll was conducted by Public Citizen and Data for Progress, surveying 1,200 likely voters
• Current US lawsuits against oil companies are civil, but there's growing interest in criminal charges, like reckless or negligent homicide, for knowingly contributing to lethal pollution
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Holding oil companies accountable for their role in the climate crisis could lead to significant policy changes and increased corporate responsibility, potentially reducing future environmental harm
⏭️ What's next: Building political and legal support for criminal charges against oil companies will be challenging but could gain traction, especially in Democrat-majority areas
• The poll indicates a possible shift in public and juror attitudes towards more aggressive climate litigation
💬 One quote: "Voters strongly want to see companies held accountable for their harmful actions," said Grace Adcox, senior climate strategist at Data for Progress
📈 One stat: 62% of voters believe fossil fuel companies should be held legally accountable for their contributions to climate change
Click for more news covering the latest on oil & gas
