Washington, D.C.–In response to Rhode Island becoming the first state in the U.S. to file a lawsuit against oil companies seeking damages for climate change, Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Naomi Ages issued the following statement:
“We applaud Rhode Island for standing with people and communities–not polluters. In filing suit against 21 fossil fuel companies for climate damages, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin is showing other states what it means to be a climate leader.
“To date, Rhode Island is the first state to take such bold action, although several cities including San Francisco and New York City are pursuing similar suits. For years, climate polluters have been allowed to profit as they destroyed the planet. Now, these lawsuits are demanding that polluters pay for the damage that super storms and rising sea levels–both effects of climate change–are inflicting on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
“Taxpayers should not be expected to shoulder the steep financial burden of rebuilding after super storms like Harvey and Irma, or the yet to be named storms that will only increase in frequency if climate change continues unabated. Despite having clear evidence that its products were harming the planet, the fossil fuel industry failed to warn consumers and regulators about the dangers. For this, it must pay.”
Contact: Kate Fried, Greenpeace USA, (202) 257.0057, [email protected]
