State sues car firms on climate
September 21, 2006
The state of California is suing six carmakers for costs associated with their cars' greenhouse gas emissions.
The suit names General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chrysler and Nissan.
California is asking for "monetary compensation" for the damage which it says their emissions are doing to health, economy and environment.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM), a pan-industry body, called it a "nuisance" suit and suggested it may be dismissed.
"Right now, global warming is harming California," runs the state's complaint.
"Human-induced global warming has, among other things, reduced California's snow pack (a vital source of fresh water), caused an earlier melting of the snow pack, raised sea levels along California's coastline, increased ozone pollution in urban areas, [and] increased the threat of wildfires."
State lawyers want any judgement for damages to be ongoing, so that manufacturers will be liable every year.
The lawsuit, lodged on behalf of the Californian people by state attorney-general Bill Lockyer, alleges that emissions from cars made by the firms in question account for 30% of all carbon dioxide emissions in California.
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