Michigan is taking a stand against climate change, and it’s aiming to make fossil fuel companies pay up for the damage they’ve caused. Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a plan to sue these companies for messing with Michigan’s weather, messing up crops, and even spoiling fun things like sledding.
“It’s about time we make them take responsibility,” Nessel said, firing up the fight against the big oil giants.
Michigan isn’t alone in this battle. Lots of other places, like local governments and tribes, are suing fossil fuel companies too. They all want to make them pay for the mess they’ve made.
Nessel wants to get back some of the money Michigan has lost because of climate change. Think about all the crazy weather we’ve had lately, the risks to farms, and even the short ski season last winter. It’s been rough!
To make this happen, Nessel’s team is calling in extra legal muscle. They’re asking outside lawyers to join the fight and help Michigan win billions to fix the damage climate change has done.
But this isn’t just a quick fight. It’s a big deal, going after the big oil companies. That’s why they need all the help they can get.
Back in 2015, some sneaky reports showed that companies like Exxon knew their pollution was bad news for the planet, but they didn’t say much about it. Last month, a House Committee dug even deeper and found out these companies were trying to trick us all about climate change.
For example, BP knew natural gas was making climate change worse, but they still acted like it was a good thing. Sneaky, right?
But not everyone is happy about Michigan’s plan to sue. Ryan Meyers, from the American Petroleum Institute, thinks it’s just politics and that climate change should be sorted out in Congress, not in the courts.
Despite the pushback, Michigan’s attorney general is determined. They’ve fought big battles before, like taking on the opioid crisis and the companies making PFAS chemicals. And now, they’re ready to take on climate change too.
