Climate Change Justice Prevails: Hawaii Supreme Court Rejects Big Oil's Appeal

In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the recent victory in the Hawaii Supreme Court, where they rejected Big Oil's appeal to avoid going to trial. This decision is significant as it allows the court to hold oil and gas companies accountable for their role in climate change. Andrew highlights the devastating consequences of climate change in Hawaii, particularly the wildfires that caused loss of life and property. This episode emphasizes the importance of taking action to protect the ocean and combat climate change.

Link to article:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/honolulu-climate-case

In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, the host discusses a significant development in the legal battle between oil and gas companies and their connection to climate change. The Hawaii Supreme Court has rejected the appeal from Big Oil companies to avoid going to trial. This decision is seen as a win for those advocating for action on climate change and holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their role in contributing to global warming.

The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accuses major oil and gas companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and Sunoco of knowingly promoting fossil fuel products that pose a threat to the world's climate. The plaintiffs argue that these companies engaged in deceptive campaigns to downplay the link between their products and global warming, as well as the resulting environmental, social, and economic consequences.

Chief Justice Mark Rectilwad, in his majority opinion, stated that the oil companies' attempt to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis of regulating emissions fell short. He emphasized that the lawsuit does not seek to regulate emissions or seek damages for interstate emissions. Instead, the plaintiffs' complaint aims to challenge the promotion and sale of fossil fuel products without proper warnings, aided by a sophisticated disinformation campaign.

The court's decision means that the case will proceed to trial, allowing for further examination of the allegations and the gathering of evidence through the discovery process. Matthew Gonser, the executive director of Honolulu's Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency, expressed support for the court's decision and pledged to continue pursuing the case in a trial court where it was initially filed three and a half years ago.

This development in Hawaii highlights the growing efforts to hold oil and gas companies accountable for their role in climate change. It sets a precedent for similar lawsuits and legal actions in other regions where communities have been impacted by the consequences of global warming. The outcome of this trial will be closely watched as it may have implications for future litigation against fossil fuel companies and their responsibility for addressing climate change.

In addition to discussing the legal battle, the episode also addresses the importance of reviews for the How to Protect the Ocean podcast. Host Andrew Lewin encourages listeners to leave ratings and reviews on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify. These reviews not only provide valuable feedback but also help others discover the podcast. Lewin explains that when people are looking for an ocean or conservation podcast to listen to, they often rely on recommendations and ratings. By leaving a review, listeners can contribute to the podcast's visibility and help it reach a wider audience. The host even invites listeners to share a screenshot of their review with him, expressing his excitement to hear their feedback.

Overall, this episode emphasizes the significance of the court's decision in holding oil and gas companies accountable for their actions related to climate change. It also highlights the importance of reviews in providing feedback and helping others discover and enjoy the How to Protect the Ocean podcast.