Exxon, Shell, Chevron sued over climate change

Court case: Customers refuel at a Chevron petrol station in San Francisco, California. The company is one of five being sued in New Jersey for misleading the public on the impact of fossil fuels on global warming. — Bloomberg

NEW YORK: Five of the world’s biggest oil and gas producers are being sued by New Jersey for allegedly deceiving the public about the impact of petroleum on global warming, joining other states that are seeking to hold the industry legally accountable for climate change.

Exxon Mobil Corp, Shell Oil Co, Chevron Corp, BP Plc and ConocoPhillips are accused of “systematically concealing and denying their knowledge that fossil fuel consumption could have a catastrophic impact on the climate,” leading to sea rise, flooding and extreme weather that have battered the state, New Jersey attorney general Matthew J. Platkin said on Tuesday in a statement.