In a decisive move against the fossil fuel industry, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer led the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to support a groundbreaking lawsuit. On Tuesday, the board endorsed California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s case against major oil corporations in favor of a greener future for the Golden State. “People of California v. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al.” garnered backing with a 3-1 vote, according to Supervisor Lawson-Remer's news release, showing a rare moment of unity against a universal adversary.
Lawson-Remer, who operates as the Vice Chair for the Board of Supervisors, underscored the importance of the lawsuit, saying, “Protecting our beaches, bays and coastlines against the looming impacts of climate change requires adaptation, mitigation and funding to make investments that tackle this crisis.” As per the news release, when the Attorney General's lawsuit prevails, it hopes to channel benefits to communities throughout San Diego County and broader California. The lone dissenting voice in the vote, cast by Republican Supervisor Joel Anderson, stood in sharp contrast to the wave of affirmative nods.
Focusing on decades of fossil fuel industry deceptions, the lawsuit spearheaded by Attorney General Bonta makes a direct link between the burning of fossil fuels and the catastrophic effects of climate change that have besieged the state. The resolution, passed by Supervisor Lawson-Remer and supported by her colleagues, reads, “...WHEREAS, for decades, the defendants have known about the dangers and repercussions that burning fossil fuels would have, and yet they proceeded to engage in misleading information and advertising campaigns, and protect their profit over people,” according to the official statement.
The legal push is trying to make big oil companies—Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP, and the American Petroleum Institute—pay for environmental harm. They're accused of using false ads and greenwashing to hide the damage caused by fossil fuels. According to Lawson-Remer's news release, these companies knew their products were linked to global warming and pollution.
The United Nations says fossil fuels are responsible for 75% of global greenhouse gases and almost 90% of carbon emissions. These numbers drive Lawson-Remer and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to push for stronger environmental protection. Their support could be crucial in fighting climate justice against big oil companies.
