cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/14335560
When scientific studies showed that the extreme temperatures were caused by heat domes, which experts say are influenced by climate change, county officials didn’t just chalk it up to a random weather occurrence. They started researching the large fossil fuel companies whose emissions are driving the climate crisis—including ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron—and sued them.
Now, 11 months after the suit was filed, Multnomah County is preparing to move forward with the case in Oregon state court after a federal judge in June settled a monthslong debate over where the suit should be heard.
Nothing would hurt fossil fuel companies more than if everyone stopped buying their products. Putting executives in prison won’t do anything, they’ll just be replaced by new executives. Fining the companies won’t do anything, even if you fine them into bankruptcy, some other company will take their place, so long as there is a demand for the product.
Fossil fuels are absolutely the cause for extreme heat, who could have any doubt? Electricity is also capable of extreme heat so why don’t we use this more instead?
