Majority of US voters support climate litigation against big oil, poll shows

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🗞️ 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

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