Is it finally happening? Are we finally considering climate change as what it is, a crime? A new report by Public Citizen and Fair and Just Prosecution, argues that major fossil fuel companies and their CEOs could be prosecuted under New York's reckless endangerment laws for their role in driving climate-related disasters. ο»Ώ
According to the report, these companies, the usual suspects ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP, are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, have knowingly contributed to the climate crisis and misled the public about the dangers of fossil fuels.
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The 50-page memo provides legal evidence, highlighting how fossil fuel executives' actions have resulted in severe climate impacts, such as New Yorkβs devastating storms and lethal heat waves. Cases like Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Ida, which led to widespread destruction and loss of life in New York City, are linked to the reckless conduct of fossil fuel companies. The report draws from internal documents that show companies knew their products would cause catastrophic weather events, yet continued to prioritize profits over public safety. ο»Ώ
"Two Harvard University scholars found that 81% of Exxonβs and Mobilβs advertorials from 1989 through 2004 expressed doubt that climate change is real and caused by human activities. By comparison, they found that 80% of the companiesβ internal documents recognized the link between climate change and human activities. Based on βthis discrepancy,β they concluded that βExxonMobil misled the public." (page 20-21.)
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Public Citizen's Aaron Regunberg states, "Big Oilβs conduct was not just immoral. It was criminal.β He urges prosecutors to hold these companies accountable under New Yorkβs reckless endangerment statute, which penalizes actions that create a significant risk of injury or death.
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The report has garnered support from several New York officials, including Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who emphasised that Big Oil's actions are a public safety issue. Reynoso stressed that the companies' deception and negligence have disproportionately affected vulnerable communities, while Hoylman-Sigal called for urgent legal action.
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Dear Sarah Chabane Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Public Citizen by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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We are at a bad place and our lives are being threatened by all these big oil giants as they are promoting use and burning of fossil fuels which risk our existence... That is why it is important to sue and hold these corporations account and make them pay for loss and damage
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This is good news... We should ensure that the leadership and companies that threaten our existence pay ... This is a good move definitely
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@edwin_wangombe they should pay and pay heftily
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I can't wait for this motion to succeed. These companies have really put planet earth on dangerous paths where they have endangered lives.
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@tabitha_kimani i hope the judges presiding over these cases receivwisdom from heaven and make the right decision
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@tabitha_kimani I know... It is unfortunate that these corporations feel untouchable and that they can do whatever they want... They should be found guilty and punished
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@edwin_wangombe i hope so too... May they make their judgment with the people's lives in mind
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Nice move
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This push to prosecute Big Oil for reckless endangerment is long overdue. It reframes climate negligence as a public safety threat, directly linking these corporationsβ actions to life-threatening disasters. Holding CEOs accountable could set a powerful precedent in climate justice.
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@munene_mugambi exactly... Now this is what we call climate justice
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@munene_mugambi i agree it is well overdue but better late than never... Now let them face the music
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It's about time that those responsible for this harm are held legally accountable for their negligence and deception
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@ann_nyambura_542 I agree. Bringing legal accountability to those whoβve knowingly fuelled the climate crisis is crucial. By targeting the negligence and deception of these executives, this move could mark a new era where corporate actions have real, enforceable consequences.
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@ann_nyambura_542 absolutely... They need to pay and suffer consequences of their actions
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@ann_nyambura_542 i second your sentiments its pay back time
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Great move! This move signals a shift towards greater scrutiny and potential consequences for those contributing to climate change. We should emphasize corporate responsibility and climate justice.
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@walter_lungayi Spot on! This action highlights a necessary shift, putting corporate accountability and climate justice front and centre. By addressing these root causes, we set a stronger foundation for enforcing environmental responsibility and holding big players to account.
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@walter_lungayi this shows that no one is above the law and actions have consequences so this oil companies need to dance to the tune of their own music
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Great!!!! everyone must be held accountable for their impact on sustainability.
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@frankoh_kihm_080 no matter who they are ... No one is above the law
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big or small should be held accountable for their actions
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@annett_michuki i agree... They need to be stopped
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@annett_michuki it's time to take the fight at their doorstep... They won't destroy our future in the name of profit
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Bold move reflecting growing efforts to seek justice for the victims of climate disasters and to hold those responsible for environmental damage accountable.
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@peter_karanga with this type of action we are going far... We need more of such bold moves...
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This move aligns with a broader trend of cities and states taking action against fossil fuel companies to mitigate climate change and promote sustainability.
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@rashid_kamau we need more of such actions to ensure that we hold them accountable and that they pay for loss and damage
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The report has garnered support from several companies who emphasised that Big Oil's actions are a public safety issue.
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@kelvin_thuranira_kaberia it is true that oil companies are threatening our lives and future and should be stopped and held accountable