California has filed a lawsuit against major oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, and ConocoPhillips
The lawsuit accuses these companies of downplaying the risks associated with fossil fuels
California claims that their actions have caused tens of billions of dollars in damage
The lawsuit also alleges that these companies deceived the public regarding the dangers of fossil fuels
The American Petroleum Institute, an industry trade group, is also named as a defendant in the case
California is seeking the creation of an abatement fund to cover future damages from climate-related disasters
This legal action is part of a larger trend, with many states and municipalities suing the fossil fuel industry for climate-related harms
The industry argues that climate change policies should be determined by the federal government, not through individual court cases
Several companies and the American Petroleum Institute did not immediately respond to requests for comment