A Surge of Climate Lawsuits Targets Human Rights, Damage from Fossil Fuels
[caption id="attachment_599" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Rhode Island in 2018 became the first state to sue the fossil fuel industry over climate change, citing the growing risks from sea level rise and extreme weather. Credit: John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images[/caption] Cities, states and the fishing industry want courts to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for global warming. Others argue government inaction violates rights. A climate denier is in the White House, pushing policies that will boost emissions. Congress is doing nothing to stop him. So citizens and local governments who are facing the impacts of rising seas, worsening heat waves and extreme weather are increasingly looking to the courts for help. The past year saw a surge in new lawsuits filed against fossil fuel companies, and major developments in cases pressing governments…