Short Wave Baltimore Is Suing Big Oil Over Climate Change
Jan 21, 2021
Rebecca Hersher, an NPR climate reporter, dives into Baltimore's landmark lawsuit against major oil and gas companies like BP and ExxonMobil. The city argues that these fossil fuel giants should help cover the costs of climate change, citing dramatic infrastructure failures due to heavy rains. The discussion highlights the financial burdens cities face as they grapple with extreme weather and seeks accountability for the corporations responsible. Hersher draws intriguing parallels to historical tobacco lawsuits, emphasizing the broader implications of this legal battle.
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Baltimore Street Collapse
- Rebecca Hersher shows Maddie Sofia a video of a collapsed street in Baltimore.
- The retaining wall collapsed due to heavy rain in 2014, costing over $12 million in repairs.
Climate Change Costs
- The street collapse illustrates the increasing infrastructure costs from climate change impacts.
- Adapting to sea-level rise, extreme weather, and public health crises is expensive.
Lawsuits Against Oil and Gas
- Cities and states seek financial help from oil and gas companies for climate change adaptation.
- Over 20 lawsuits argue that these companies should share the costs.