US lawsuits hold big oil accountable for climate crisis.
Climate litigation in the US is entering a "game changing" phase, with a spate of lawsuits set to advance after a recent supreme court decision. The number of cases focused on the climate crisis around the world has doubled since 2015, bringing the total number to over 2,000. The US has not always led the way, but experts say that could be changing as more than two dozen US cities and states are suing big oil alleging the fossil fuel industry knew for decades about the dangers of burning coal, oil, and gas, and actively hid that information from consumers and investors. The first constitutional climate lawsuit in the US goes to trial on Monday next week (12 June) in Helena, Montana, based on a legal challenge by 16 young plaintiffs, ranging in age from five to 22, against the state’s pro-fossil fuel policies.