A Pennsylvania county takes on the fossil fuel giants over climate damages

Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has filed a lawsuit against major oil and gas companies, accusing them of deceptive practices that exacerbated climate change.

Kiley Bense reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Bucks County's lawsuit alleges that fossil fuel companies misled the public about the dangers of their products, contributing to climate change.
The county is seeking financial compensation for the damage caused by extreme weather events, including severe flooding and storm surges.
A 2023 study estimated Bucks County might need to spend up to $955 million on climate adaptation for infrastructure by 2040.

Key quote:

“They are desperate to not ever go to trial. That’s the thing they are afraid of.”

— Richard Wiles, the president of the Center for Climate Integrity

Why this matters:

In the latter half of the 20th century, research funded by fossil fuel companies confirmed that carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels was warming the planet. However, instead of acting on these findings to mitigate the impact, some companies embarked on campaigns to sow doubt about climate science and its implications. These efforts included funding scientific research aimed at contradicting the consensus on climate change, creating and supporting organizations that promoted skepticism about global warming, and lobbying against environmental regulation.

Ten years after "ClimateGate," evidence be damned: Climate denial is alive and well.

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A Pennsylvania county takes on the fossil fuel giants over climate damages

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