Wednesday, February 12, 2025
HomeEnvironment HeadlinesPoll Finds Majority of U.S. Voters in Support of Climate Litigation Against...

Poll Finds Majority of U.S. Voters in Support of Climate Litigation Against Big Oil – EcoWatch

“Poll Shows Majority of Voters Support Legal Action Against Big Oil – Is Criminal Charges Next?”

Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s refinery in Carson, California was the center of attention on April 3, 2024. The refinery, which has been a focal point of environmental concerns and activism, was once again in the spotlight due to a new poll that revealed the public’s stance on holding oil and gas companies accountable for their contributions to climate change.

The Data for Progress poll, conducted in collaboration with nonprofit consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen, surveyed 1,206 likely voters in the United States. The poll found that a majority of voters support litigation against big oil companies, with nearly half also expressing support for the filing of criminal charges.

Grace Adcox, Data for Progress senior climate strategist with Fossil Free Media, emphasized that voters strongly believe that companies should be held accountable for their harmful actions. This sentiment is reflected in the increasing number of lawsuits being brought against fossil fuel companies around the world, including in the United States.

Currently, there are 40 civil lawsuits filed by cities and states in the U.S. against oil majors. Public Citizen has also proposed the idea of filing criminal charges against fossil fuel companies, citing the potential deadly consequences of their pollution and their delay in taking climate action as grounds for reckless or negligent homicide charges.

Aaron Regunberg, Public Citizen’s climate program senior policy counsel, noted that while the idea of criminal charges against oil and gas companies received some skepticism, several district attorneys’ offices showed real interest in pursuing such legal action.

The Data for Progress poll revealed that a significant majority of voters believe that fossil fuel companies should be held legally accountable for their contributions to climate change. This sentiment was particularly strong among Democrats, with a notable percentage of Republicans also expressing support for legal action against big oil.

While criminal charges against fossil fuel companies have not yet been brought in the U.S., energy companies like BP and PG&E have faced such charges in the past. The willingness of the public to support criminal lawsuits against oil and gas companies indicates a shifting attitude towards holding these companies accountable for their role in climate change.

Overall, the poll results suggest that there is growing momentum for legal action against fossil fuel companies, both in terms of civil litigation and potential criminal charges. The survey findings highlight the public’s increasing awareness of the environmental impact of oil and gas companies and their willingness to support measures aimed at holding these companies accountable for their actions.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular