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Pressure On The World's Biggest Polluters Is Increasing. But Can It Force Change?

Pressure On The World's Biggest Polluters Is Increasing. But Can It Force Change?

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 23: A general view of Gunvor Petroleum or Rozenburg refinery, owned by Kuwait Petroleum Europort BV which is a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum International, sometimes referred to as the Europort refinery in the Port of Rotterdam which also home to other large companies producing petrol, diesel and oil including Vopakat, BP (British Petrolium), Guvnor Petroleum, VPR Engery, Exxonmobil or Exxon Mobil, ESSO and Shell which all remain active for business during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on April 23, 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Europe’s largest port covers 105 square kilometres (41 square miles) and stretches over a distance of 40 kilometres (25 miles). (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

The Atlantic hurricane season began Tuesday and another "above average" number of storms is expected. And it's not just hurricanes — overall, scientists are predicting more extreme weather events amplified by climate change this summer.

While there's little to do in the short term to change this trajectory, recent actions by a Dutch court, the Biden administration and an activist hedge fund all suggest new pressure on large oil and gas companies could help in the long term. Pressure from these outside forces could signal a shift in how the companies operate.

Nell Minow, an Exxon shareholder, explains the direction she wants to see the company move in.

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