Why is Rhode Island Suing Oil Companies?

Global oil demand may be set to peak by 2036 but that doesn't mean the risks of climate change are any less extreme. Following a state court suit filed by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, a handful of global oil companies could be forced to pay out big money in a complaint seeking damages for the costs associated with protecting Rhode Island from climate change and coastal damage.

Among other accusations, the suit claims that defendants like Shell knew of the dangers posed by burning fossil fuels and using their products yet failed to adequately warn Rhode Island customers. As a result, "The Ocean State" is suing giants like ExxonMobil, Citgo and Chevron for initiating rising sea levels, extreme weather and warming oceans. The state's delicate natural ecosystem is also at risk, with water temperatures in Narragansett Bay, one of the world's most protected natural harbours, rising by 1.6°C over the past century.

The suit is the first in a wave of claims set to hit the oil and gas industry in the wake of climate change damages, with cities like San Francisco and Oakland also attempting to sue oil companies based on public nuisance.

Rhode Islands takes on "Big Oil"

As well as claiming for damages under the doctrine of public nuisance, the 145-page document released by Rhode Island accuses giants like ExxonMobil, Citgo and Chevron of negligence, infringement on resources held in public trust and a breach in duty to warn consumers of an unreasonably dangerous defect.

“For a very long time, there has been this perception that ‘Big Oil’ was too big to take on, but here we are - the smallest state - taking on some of the biggest corporate polluters in the world,” asserts Kilmartin said in a statement.

Shell dismisses claims as climate change "masquerade"

Unsurprisingly, the defendants were quick to shut down the accusations and accuse Rhode Islands of "masquerading" the lawsuit as a climate change-inspired claim.

“Lawsuits that masquerade as climate action and impede the collaboration needed for meaningful change,” reads a statement issued by Shell.  

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