As summer draws to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on recent climate news and the ways in which some governments are trying to hold polluters accountable for climate damage. Oil and gas companies are increasingly under pressure and are being targeted by governments.
2024: The Earth is Overheating
next time Record breaking While 2023 was not only the hottest year on record, but also set new records for sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice loss, and glacier retreat, 2024 offered no respite. Wildfires swept across Western Canada, destroying much of the iconic town of Jasper, record-breaking flooding inundated Quebec, and a deadly heatwave gripped the country. Extreme weather events have been on the rise around the world, and they’ve hit our country, too (see the end of this blog for a detailed (but not exhaustive) list of extreme weather events that have occurred in Canada this summer).
The government is challenging the oil companies.
Fortunately, some jurisdictions around the world have begun to step up and sue polluters, including oil and gas companies. This is a means of holding polluters accountable and making them pay for their climate impacts. Vermont recently First state We are trying to pass a law that would require big oil companies to pay a portion of the damage caused by climate disasters, such as catastrophic summer floods and other devastating extreme weather events. States like Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York are considering similar measures, which would be a huge win for the climate! Also, The number increases Cities and states in the United States, including Chicago and New York CaliforniaHe is suing fossil fuel companies for misleading the public about the climate crisis. Today, 1 in 4 Americans I live in a city or state that is taking legal action against these companies for allegedly defrauding the public.
In the United States 10,000 climate disaster survivors Now, there are calls for a federal investigation into “climate crimes” by major oil companies. Puerto Rico recently The lawsuit seeks $1 billion In seeking damages from the companies, they argued that the industry knew the risks of their products, but the island is now suffering the consequences. In a related case, Chevron agreed to pay $550 million to the Richmond City Council as part of a settlement with the city that proposed a new tax on oil company refineries. Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez Welcome to Settlement It’s a historic moment, but he stressed that the fight for Richmond’s environment is not over.
“The Richmond community created a movement that resonated across the country.” Martinez said. “What happened here showed our community, our nation, and the world that when we come together as a people, we can make a difference. And by standing up for environmental justice as we have, other communities can demand that polluters do the right thing, whether through action or negotiation.”
When will Canada be founded? Climate Recovery Fund?
As scrutiny of oil and gas companies increases, it is important for Canada to establish: Climate Recovery Fund Addressing the impacts of the climate crisis.
What we need is Climate Recovery Fund Helping communities and local governments prepare for, respond to, and adapt to extreme weather events.
The funds will be used for the following purposes:
- Recover from direct and indirect damage caused by climate change in Canada and abroad.
- Covers the costs of adapting to extreme weather conditions.
- Build resilience in communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Together, let’s change the world, hold polluters accountable, and strengthen our communities to be more resilient and safe.
We can’t afford any more ‘warnings’ – the climate crisis is here now. Tell Finance Minister Freeland and Environment and Climate Change Minister Guilbeault: Climate Recovery Fund This is how much fossil fuel companies have to pay.
*Here are some of the recent extreme weather events in Canada that Exxon, BP, Shell, Chevron and more have told us about.
In recent months, climate disasters have occurred and intensified not only in Canada but around the world. For more information, see The Guardian extreme weather page.
