Several people who lost family homes during the Los Angeles area fires directed their ire — and blame — at “big oil” companies at a news conference this afternoon held by Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group.
Climate scientists have said climate change and the associated whiplash between extreme wet and dry seasons are raising the probability that fearsome seasonal winds will overlap with hot, dry conditions and heavy fuels.
States and municipalities have sued oil companies, seeking accountability for the consequences of climate change, often alleging that they lied about the harms their products could cause.
During the news conference, several people described how the fires had affected their families and asked public officials to hold oil companies to account.
After losing homes, some Angelenos call for accountability from ‘big oil’ , continued
Sam James said five generations of her family grew up in Altadena, with ties to the region since the 1890s. Her grandfather’s home burned down, and her father’s backyard was also burned, she said.
“We are working to help fire survivors heal and rebuild in our community. However, this is not our responsibility, and it should not continuously fall on us to address the consequences of big oil’s negligence,” James said. “They must take responsibility for the harm that they’ve caused, pay reparations to the affected communities who lost their homes and businesses and take immediate steps to mitigate further damage.”
Danielle Levanas said the family home she grew up in was burned down in the Palisades Fire and her family lost all their photos from before 2008.
“Climate change and the impact of fossil fuel companies have truly upended our lives,” she said. “The disasters we’re seeing today are not natural. They are crimes.”
