Fossil fuel interests vs. children: Is this what America is all about?

Big oil lines up to battle kids in climate court case

By Alex PashleyLast updated on 15/01/2016, 12:12 pm

Three US trade associations representing the world’s energy giants have been named defendants in a court case brought by young Americans, in a move they say shows the stakes are high.

The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), the American Petroleum Institute (API), and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) joined the US government in the case on Wednesday, after a magistrate in the Oregon district court agreed an adverse ruling would be a threat to their business.

In August, 21 young plaintiffs charged the federal government with violating their constitutional right to life, liberty and property, by failing to prevent dangerous climate change. Renowned scientist James Hansen is backing the case.

They want the administration to deepen carbon emission cuts in line with what science says need to be done to avoid catastrophic levels of global warming.

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