Talk about David and Goliath: today a village of less than 400 inhabitants in Kivalina, Alaska, sued Exxon Mobil Corp, BP PLC, seven other oil companies, 14 power companies and one coal company. The villagers of Kivalina accused the energy giants of releasing greenhouse gases that are causing the land around them to erode into the sea, and melting the ice that once shielded the village from storm waves and surges. Relocation costs have been estimated at $400 million. Villagers also accused some of the defendants of a conspiracy to mislead the public about the causes and effects of global warming. If successful, the trial could influence future courts to hold energy companies accountable for the havoc their emissions inflict on communities.
See International Herald Tribune article
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