" Los Angeles could become the next city to sue fossil fuel companies over climate change " , 17 janvier 2018

...[T]he second largest city in the United States appears to be following New York’s lead, exploring the potential for filing a similar lawsuit against fossil fuel companies. On January 13 ... two Los Angeles city councilmembers introduced a motion asking the City Attorney to look into legal options against fossil fuel companies, as well as prepare an official legal statement in support of New York City’s case.

...If Los Angeles does decide to file a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies, it would join a group of seven other cities and counties... seeking to hold companies similarly accountable... [I]t’s unclear what route Los Angeles would take if it chooses to pursue a lawsuit...

...In November, the California Court of Appeals ruled that three paint companies had created a public nuisance when they manufactured and sold lead paint, despite knowing that the product was dangerous to public health. Cities and counties filing lawsuits against fossil fuel companies are taking a similar approach...

...In many ways, the growing wave of litigation against fossil fuel companies mirrors litigation brought against tobacco companies in the 1990s...

...But public nuisance lawsuits — as they relate to climate change — have often faced an uphill battle in the courts.

...In recent years, however, the science of attributing specific events, or consequences, to climate change has become increasingly strong...

... Exxon has already responded to several of the California lawsuits by filing a petition in federal court asking to depose government officials... Legal experts have noted that the petition has little chance of succeeding, but could be a chilling mechanism meant to dissuade other cities from filing similar lawsuits.