In March, 2020, inspired by a small city in California, Honolulu sued 8 oil companies for their role in causing local climate change damages. A few months later Maui County did the same. We interview some of the key people involved to learn how it happened, why they did it, and what they expect to gain from it. Our guests are the former Mayor of Honolulu, Kirk Caldwell, Maui County Council Member Kelly Takaya King, and Alyssa Johl, Legal Director for the Center for Climate Integrity. 

Resources

• KEY UPDATE: Honolulu Scores A Win Against Big Oil In Climate Change Lawsuit and  Energy Cos. Can't Dodge Climate Claims In Hawaii State Court - are two articles, from 2/27/22 and 2/23/22, that report on a key ruling that is discussed in the episode, but hadn't yet happened.
• Center for Climate Integrity website
• Climate Liability Litigation - website and resources
• Honolulu sues petroleum companies article
• Maui county sues - article
• Maui Has Begun the Process of Managed Retreat. It Wants Big Oil to Pay the Cost of Sea Level Rise
• Federal ruling favors Maui county