Climate change is going to cost the US billions of dollars because of extreme weather, health problems, and more — and New York City wants fossil fuel companies to help pay for it. So the city is suing BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Royal Dutch Shell, the Associated Press reports.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the lawsuit today, pointing to dangers New Yorkers could face as climate change continues — like rising sea levels, hotter temperatures, more severe rain and snowfall, and increased flooding. “Sandy taught us how destructive weather events exacerbated by climate change can be,” a statement from the mayor’s office says.