California targets ExxonMobil over plastic pollution

California’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil alleges decades of deceptive practices regarding the recyclability of plastics and highlights the role of fossil fuel companies in rising plastic production.

Tamsin Walker reports for Deutsche Welle.

In short:

Annual virgin plastic production, largely fueled by fossil resources, is set to triple by 2060, with global recycling rates remaining at just 9%.
California’s lawsuit accuses ExxonMobil of misleading the public about the effectiveness of recycling and fostering increased reliance on single-use plastics.
ExxonMobil promotes advanced recycling technology, but critics claim it only addresses a small fraction of the waste problem.

Key quote:

“This kind of lawsuit really cements in people's minds this trend that lots of people haven't been connecting the impact these companies have on the climate crisis to the impact they have in other sectors.”

— Delphine Levi Alvares, global petrochemicals campaign manager at the Center for International Environmental Law

Why this matters:

Plastic pollution devastates ecosystems and human health, exacerbating the climate crisis. Curbing virgin plastic production, linked to fossil fuel reliance, is essential to reducing waste and environmental harm. Efforts like California’s lawsuit could pave the way for global regulatory action.

Learn more: California takes ExxonMobil to court over decades of plastic pollution deception

www.dw.com

California targets ExxonMobil over plastic pollution

Western drought threatens water supply, boosts wildfire risk

‘Easter eggflation’: How climate change and budget cuts have sent the price of chocolate soaring

Opinion: As the oil majors retreat on climate promises, industry insiders ask whether to stay or go

In record heat, US ski resorts bulldoze snow, skiers wear bikinis

How a tiny farm county fought a data center complex and won

Clean energy companies are trying to survive the Trump era

To keep climate science alive, researchers are speaking in code

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.