2 City Lawsuits Against Big Oil Dismissed, But That’s Not the End of It

"The federal judge called the dangers of climate change 'very real', but said the issue should be solved by Congress. State judges may see things differently."

"A federal judge in California has dismissed lawsuits by San Francisco and Oakland that sought to hold the fossil fuel industry financially responsible for the global warming damages related to rising sea levels.

Even though he called the dangers of climate change "very real" and noted that fossil fuel companies did not dispute that the burning of their products causes it, U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup said the issue should be handled by Congress and by treaty, not in a federal liability lawsuit.

"The problem deserves a solution on a more vast scale than can be supplied by a district judge or jury in a public nuisance case," Alsup wrote in a 16-page opinion issued Monday."

David Hasemyer reports for InsideClimate News June 26, 2018.

SEE ALSO:

"Factbox: U.S. Cities Suing Oil Producers Alleging Climate Impacts" (Reuters)

"Ruling in Big Oil Case Leaves Cities, Activists Reeling" (ClimateWire)

Source: InsideClimate News, 06/27/2018