As deforestation threatens much of the Amazon, Colombia has been ordered to create a plan to halt it. Photo credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images By Ucilia Wang An appeals court in Colombia on Thursday reversed a lower court decision and ruled that the country’s government, from the president to…
Documents show Shell even modeled a future of climate disasters in the U.S. and potential liability. Photo credit: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images By Karen Savage Newly revealed documents indicate oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has not only known about the risks of climate change for decades, but…
By Karen Savage Royal Dutch Shell received an ultimatum from a climate activist group on Wednesday, demanding the company help address climate change or face…
In the Philippines, devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the human rights commission is investigating fossil fuel companies' liability in climate-related damages. Photo credit: Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images By Ucilia Wang The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines is holding the first public hearing of its investigation into whether fossil fuel companies…
The costs of climate damages in Ontario, Canada could run into the billions, prompting a new liability bill by a member of the provincial parliament. Photo credit: Santoshsurneni Photography via Flickr By Karen Savage A Canadian legislator introduced a bill on Monday to protect Ontario residents from the costs of climate change-related damages and to make…
John Knox, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, urges the UN to take a stronger stance on a healthy environment. Photo credit: UN Geneva/Jean-Marc Ferré, via Flickr By Jennifer Dorroh A United Nations expert's report, issued last week, outlines the legal framework for the international community to recognize a healthy environment and…
When Hurricane Ophelia lashed the United Kingdom in 2016, it was the latest climate change-fueled storm to cause major damage. Photo credit: Matt Cardy/Getty Images By Dana Drugmand Joining a growing global trend to demand governments protect their citizens from climate catastrophe, a group in the United Kingdom has sued…
Opposition to a trans-oceanic canal in Nicaragua has resulted in an international court ruling that environmental protection is a human right. Photo credit: Jorge Mejia Peralta via Flickr By Ucilia Wang The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has issued a landmark opinion that equates environmental protection with human rights, a conclusion that could…
Paris, which experienced extreme flooding in 2016 and early 2018, may pursue a climate liability case against the oil industry. Photo credit: Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images By Ucilia Wang Paris could become the first city in Europe to try to defray the cost of climate change by taking fossil fuel companies…
Illegal deforestation threatens much of the Amazon and Colombian young people are suing their government to protect the rainforests and the climate. Photo credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images By Ucilia Wang A group of 25 young people in Colombia are petitioning a court to protect their constitutional rights to life and a healthy…