California Sues Car Manufacturers Over Global Warming Contribution

Strategic Insights -

The state of California has launched a lawsuit against six major US car manufacturers, alleging that they have contributed to global warming through vehicle emissions. The suit, filed in a US district court in northern California, accuses Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, and Nissan of creating a "public nuisance" that has cost the state millions of dollars. The lawsuit argues that monitoring and addressing the effects of global warming has cost California millions, and that dealing with its effects in the future "will almost certainly cost millions more." Environmental campaigners have welcomed the lawsuit as a significant step in the effort to combat global warming.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit alleges that vehicle emissions have contributed significantly to global warming, and that the car manufacturers should be held responsible for the past and future cost of combating this crisis.
  • California is the largest car market in the US, with over 2 million new vehicles registered every year.
  • The state's complaint argues that monitoring and addressing the effects of global warming has cost California millions of dollars.
  • The lawsuit follows initiatives taken by California and other states to combat global warming, including a law passed in 2004 that will force carmakers to reduce carbon dioxide exhaust emissions by 30%.
  • Global warming is causing significant harm to California's environment, economy, agriculture, and public health, with a total of 29 million registered vehicles driving a total of 320 billion miles per year.
  • The state of California has sued the federal government for failing to address the effects of global warming.

Statistics:

  • 2 million new vehicles registered in California every year.
  • $83 billion (approximately £44 billion) in car sales in California in 2005.
  • 320 billion miles driven by registered vehicles in California per year.
  • 29 million registered vehicles in California.
  • California's car market is the largest in the US.

Sources:

  • Los Angeles America, Dan Glaister.
  • The automobile alliance.
  • Friends of the Earth's Climate Justice Programme.
  • Sierra Club's global warming programme.