Commentary: Here's how we hold the fossil fuel industry accountable

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a rare dose of good news for those of us concerned about our warming planet. The court turned down an appeal by large oil companies to help them escape climate lawsuits in state courts. These suits seek to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for its role in causing, and subsequently covering up, massive damage to the climate. In New York and across the country, communities — especially lower-income communities of color — are today paying the price for Big Oil’s decades of climate deception, while these companies rake in record profits. 

Earlier this year, The New York Times described how, far from being unaware of the impacts they were having on climate change, ExxonMobil predicted it with remarkable accuracy as far back as the 1970s. Publicly, however, they spent decades ignoring their own research and casting doubt on the idea their actions were damaging the planet.

This arc follows a familiar pattern: Industries have solid evidence they are causing harm, but cover it up to protect their profits. The tobacco, opioid and lead paint industries have all been subject to extensive state-level litigation, resulting in monetary damages and changes in behavior. Things we take for granted today, like standard passenger airbags in cars or honest anti-smoking campaigns, were spurred by civil lawsuits against auto manufacturers and tobacco companies.