New York City Just Sued 5 Oil Companies. Could Chicago?
By Julian Hayda, Jerome McDonnellNew York City Just Sued 5 Oil Companies. Could Chicago?
By Julian Hayda, Jerome McDonnellNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio authorized a lawsuit against five major oil companies yesterday, hoping to recoup the costs imposed on the city by climate change. In 2012 New York’s streets and subways flooded during Hurricane Sandy, and rising sea levels have strained ocean infrastructure around the city.
“Sandy taught us how destructive weather events exacerbated by climate change can be,” a statement from de Blasio’s office said. The city is also divesting pension funds from the fossil fuel industry.
While climate change’s acute effects like rising sea levels aren’t as immediately threatening to Chicago, we’re going to see what the city can do to fight climate change with Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. We’ll also discuss President Trump’s statements yesterday on U.S. dependence on fossil fuels.