Infographic: Who's Responsible for Climate Change?

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CLIMATE CHANGE IS HERE.

Fossil fuels are the cause.

For over 200 years, humanity has powered itself with oil, gas, and coal. When burnt, these fossil fuels release heat-trapping "greenhouse" gases, which act like a blanket around the Earth. As the planet warms, a whole range of dangerous impacts—including sea level rise, flooding, and extreme heat and drought—become more likely and more severe. The amount of fossil fuels burned continues to rise in the US and around the world.

The science couldn't be clearer: human activity is driving climate change. But responsibility is not shared equally. A small number of corporations have played an outsized role in both causing the crisis and blocking solutions.

OIL AND GAS IS BLOCKING ACTION

As internal documents show, industry interests have misled the public for decades.

As early as the 1950s, scientists at major fossil fuel companies knew about the dangers that their products posed to the global climate. The industry could have transitioned to cleaner forms of energy. They chose not to.

Instead, some of the world's most profitable companies orchestrated ongoing campaigns against climate action. Their strategy? Deceive the public, lobby politicians, and delay any attempts to move away from coal, oil, and gas.

For decades, these companies have spread disinformation. They've funded and published bogus science. They've harassed climate scientists. And they've spent hundreds of millions of dollars pressuring politicians and regulators to delay climate action, while reaping massive profits.

The result? Escalating extreme weather and record-breaking temperatures nearly every year, with no one held accountable. Yet.

ACCOUNTABILITY IS POSSIBLE

You can help.

Thanks in part to research from the Union of Concerned Scientists, the fossil fuel industry faces new scrutiny. Cities, counties, states, and tribal nations representing more than 1/4 of US residents are suing oil and gas companies for their role in the climate crisis, alleging deceptive practices and consumer fraud.

These companies must immediately stop spreading climate disinformation. They must stop blocking climate action. And they must bear their fair share of responsibility for the costs to communities from climate damages caused by their products.