California Sues Car Manufacturers Over Global Warming Contributions

California's attorney general, Bill Lockyer, announced the filing of a lawsuit against six major car manufacturers, alleging their exhaust fumes have caused millions of dollars in damages to the state's weather, economy, and public health. The initiative aims to hold the companies accountable for their contribution to global warming. This lawsuit is reminiscent of the suits filed against tobacco companies, which resulted in significant damages awarded for the impact of smoking.

Key Takeaways:

• The state of California has filed a lawsuit against six major car manufacturers, including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan, alleging their exhaust fumes have caused millions of dollars in damages.
• Vehicle emissions account for 30% of California's emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
• The car companies are "among the world's largest contributors" to global warming, which has led to various negative effects, including reduced snow pack, early melting of snow pack, increased ozone pollution, and increased threat of wildfires.
• The lawsuit cites specific effects of global warming, such as heat deaths, ground-level smog, disruption of water supply, flooding, more dramatic weather events, disruption of and damage to forests and ecosystems, and reduction of water availability from snow pack melt.
• California has taken an aggressive legal posture on all aspects of the global warming question, with Attorney General Bill Lockyer suing the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bush administration over their refusal to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and mandate improved fuel efficiency standards.

Statistics:

• Vehicle emissions account for 30% of California's emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
• The car companies are "among the world's largest contributors" to global warming.
• Global warming has reduced California's snow pack and caused an earlier melting of the snow pack.
• The lawsuit estimates that global warming has increased ozone pollution in urban areas and the threat of wildfires.

Sources:

• The New York Times, "California Sues Automakers Over Global Warming"
• Los Angeles Times, "California Sues Auto Makers Over Emissions"
• Associated Press, "California Files Suit Against Automakers Over Global Warming"
• Andrew Gumbel, "California Sues Car Manufacturers in Global Warming Lawsuit"