Climate Litigation: A Growing Force in the Fight Against Climate Change

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As the world faces increasingly severe climate impacts, governments and corporations are being held accountable through a surge of climate-related lawsuits. A recent study, Research Areas for Climate Litigation, conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) in September 2024, highlights the critical role of climate litigation in driving action where traditional policy-making has often fallen short.

The Rise of Climate Litigation

Since 2015, more than 1,800 climate-related lawsuits have been filed worldwide, with at least 230 new cases in 2023 alone. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have become the primary hubs for this legal activity, while other regions, especially parts of Africa, have seen limited litigation.

The UCS study emphasizes that this growing body of legal action requires strong scientific evidence to be effective. To that end, scientists and researchers are increasingly collaborating with legal teams to provide the necessary data, helping courts make informed decisions on climate cases. The study aims to bridge gaps between science and law by identifying key research priorities that can strengthen future litigation efforts.

Key Research Areas for Climate Litigation

The study highlights three priority research areas that are essential for advancing climate lawsuits:

  1. Attribution Science: This field connects specific climate impacts to particular sources of emissions. Courts need this science to establish a clear causal link between climate change and its effects, such as extreme weather events. The study calls for more geographically diverse research, particularly in regions like the Global South, where climate data is scarce.

  2. Climate Change and Human Health: Legal arguments are increasingly focusing on the health impacts of climate change. Vulnerable groups, including older adults, infants, people with disabilities, and those in poverty, are especially at risk from worsening air quality, heatwaves, and water scarcity. The study points to a need for more research linking climate change to health outcomes like asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and heat-related illnesses.

  3. Economic Modeling: Courts rely on economic data to assess the costs of climate change. This includes not only the direct damages caused by extreme weather events but also the costs of adapting to a changing climate and the economic opportunities lost due to inaction. The study calls for robust economic modeling that can predict future costs and benefits under different climate scenarios.

Strategic Research Areas for the Future

Beyond the priority areas, the study identifies five strategic research areas where further scientific evidence is needed to support climate litigation:

  1. Legal and Financial Accountability: Holding corporations accountable for their emissions, particularly in industries like fashion and cement, requires more detailed research on how financial institutions contribute to climate change by funding fossil fuel projects.

  2. Disinformation and Greenwashing: The study stresses the importance of exposing and countering misleading claims made by corporations about their environmental practices, which can mislead consumers and delay meaningful climate action.

  3. Fair Share Analysis and Compliance: Understanding whether corporations and nations are meeting their climate goals is critical. The study highlights the need for standardized emissions metrics and tracking, especially for corporations with complex supply chains.

  4. Environmental and Social Impacts: Research on how climate change affects ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities—especially in remote regions with limited data—is vital for comprehensive environmental impact assessments.

  5. Emissions Accounting and Reductions: Courts need better methods for tracking and reducing emissions, particularly those related to the indirect effects of products, known as Scope 3 emissions. The study also calls for research into the effectiveness of renewable energy credits and other mitigation strategies.

Losses and Damages: A Cross-Cutting Theme

One of the study’s most important cross-cutting themes is losses and damages—the economic and non-economic harms caused by climate change that can’t be prevented through adaptation or mitigation. The study calls for more research to quantify these losses, especially in terms of intangible cultural heritage, social structures, and ways of life. Understanding these losses is critical for communities seeking reparations for the damage caused by climate change.

Why This Study Matters

As climate litigation accelerates globally, the need for solid scientific research to support these cases becomes more urgent. The UCS study provides a roadmap for scientists looking to contribute to the legal battle against climate change by focusing on areas where their work can have the greatest impact. This research will not only improve the effectiveness of climate lawsuits but also push governments and corporations to take more meaningful climate action.

Summing Up

Climate litigation is emerging as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change. With over 1,800 lawsuits filed since 2015, the legal community is increasingly relying on science to prove the connections between climate change, its impacts, and the entities responsible. The Union of Concerned Scientists’ 2024 study highlights the critical research areas—such as attribution science, health impacts, and economic modeling—that will strengthen these legal efforts.

For those interested in how climate change is being addressed through legal channels, this study underscores the vital role that science plays in holding governments and corporations accountable. As the impacts of climate change worsen, the importance of this intersection between science and law will only grow.

Source: Merner, L. D., Phillips, C. A., & Mulvey, K. (2024). Research areas for climate litigation: 2024 report. Union of Concerned Scientists.

Climate Change Threatens U.S. Bridges

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Key Findings from a Recent Study

A recent study published in PLOS ONE, authored by Susan Palu and Dr. Hussam Mahmoud, highlights the growing vulnerability of deteriorating U.S. bridges due to climate change. This research, conducted at Colorado State University, focuses on how rising temperatures and clogged expansion joints could jeopardize the structural integrity of thousands of bridges across the country.

The Researchers Behind the Study

Susan Palu was a master’s student in civil engineering when the study was conducted, bringing fresh academic insight into the challenges of aging infrastructure. Dr. Hussam Mahmoud, a professor at Colorado State University and the George T. Abell Professor in Infrastructure, is a renowned expert in sustainable infrastructure and community resilience. With a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and over 300 publications to his name, Mahmoud’s research focuses on making infrastructure systems more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change​.

The Aging U.S. Bridge Infrastructure

As U.S. infrastructure ages, many bridges are approaching or exceeding their intended design life. Approximately 40% of U.S. bridges are over 50 years old, with around 54,560 classified as structurally deficient. While bridges have been inspected and maintained regularly, this study sheds light on a specific issue: malfunctioning expansion joints, small but critical components responsible for allowing bridge expansion and contraction during temperature changes.

Impact of Climate Change on Bridges

he study examines the effects of climate change on steel-span bridges, which were mass-produced during the highway boom of 1950s to 1970s, when the interstate highway system was being developed. These bridges, when subjected to higher future temperatures, are at risk of developing dangerous levels of thermal stress, especially when their expansion joints are clogged.

When debris builds up in these joints, it prevents the bridge from expanding as temperatures rise. This blockage causes axial pressure on the girders, which, combined with the weight of vehicles, could lead to structural fatigue, cracks, and even failure.

Researchers also studied how temperature changes during bridge construction impact their strength.
They looked at four scenarios: building bridges in winter, spring, summer, or fall. They found that:

  • If built in winter, 100% of bridges might be too weak.
  • If built in spring, 97% might be too weak.
  • If built in summer, 83% might be too weak.
  • If built in fall, 95% might be too weak.

Most Vulnerable Regions

The study identifies bridges in the Northern Rockies, Upper Midwest, and Northwest as the most vulnerable, particularly in states like North Dakota and South Dakota. These regions are likely to experience more severe temperature variations, exacerbating the effects of clogged joints and adding stress to already aging structures.

A Call for Action

With over 89,000 simply supported steel girder bridges analyzed, the study advocates for immediate attention to maintaining and clearing bridge expansion joints. It emphasizes that neglecting to address these climate-related challenges could lead to substantial economic and social costs. Prioritizing repair and maintenance will be essential to ensure the safety and longevity of U.S. infrastructure in the face of climate change.

Summing Up

This groundbreaking study, conducted by Susan Palu and Dr. Hussam Mahmoud at Colorado State University, offers critical insights into how climate change is accelerating the deterioration of U.S. bridges. Without intervention, the impact on national infrastructure could be catastrophic. Policymakers, engineers, and transportation authorities are urged to take immediate steps to mitigate these risks and protect public safety.

By staying ahead of these challenges, the U.S. can safeguard its infrastructure from the growing threat of climate change.

Source: Palu, S., & Mahmoud, H. (2019). Impact of climate change on the integrity of the superstructure of deteriorated U.S. bridges. PLOS ONE, 14(10), e0223307. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0223307.

Understanding the Global Plastic Pollution Crisis

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Overview of Plastic Pollution and the Role of the Global Plastics Treaty

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest challenges our world faces today. It affects our oceans, rivers, land, and even the air we breathe. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in the environment, creating serious problems for both people and nature. Let’s dive into the key facts about plastic pollution and the steps being taken to address it through the Global Plastics Treaty.

What is Plastic Pollution?

Plastic pollution happens when plastic waste escapes from managed systems like landfills and enters the environment. When this waste is no longer controlled, it becomes a major threat to ecosystems. Plastic pollution can be broken down into two types:

  • Macroplastics: These are larger pieces of plastic (greater than 5mm) like bottles, bags, and other visible plastic items.

  • Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles (smaller than 5mm) that often come from the breakdown of larger plastics.

How Much Plastic Waste is There?

In 2020, around 52.1 million metric tons of macroplastic waste entered the unmanaged environment. This is about 21% of all the plastic waste produced by cities and towns, also known as municipal plastic waste. Municipal plastic waste comes from homes, businesses, schools, and public spaces, according to a global emissions inventory study published in Nature​ (s41586-024-07758-6).

What is the Unmanaged Environment?

The “unmanaged environment” is any place where plastic waste is no longer being controlled. This includes uncollected waste, litter, and open dumping sites. Once plastic enters this environment, it can move freely and cause harm to wildlife, ecosystems, and even human health.

Why Does Open Burning Happen?

In many parts of the world, especially in developing countries, formal waste collection services are either unavailable or not sufficient. As a result, people resort to open burning of plastic waste as a way to get rid of it. Open burning is harmful because it releases dangerous chemicals into the air and contributes significantly to pollution.

Global North vs. Global South: Who’s Responsible?

When we talk about plastic pollution, the world is often divided into the Global North and the Global South:

  • The Global North includes wealthier, high-income countries like the United States, Western Europe, and Japan. These countries have better waste management systems and tend to have less uncollected waste.

  • The Global South includes developing countries in regions like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. These countries struggle with waste collection, and uncollected plastic waste is a major source of pollution.

Plastic Pollution Hotspots

Certain regions are considered plastic pollution hotspots due to their high levels of unmanaged plastic waste:

  • Southern Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia have the highest levels of plastic pollution.

  • India is the largest global emitter, contributing nearly one-fifth of all plastic waste emissions, followed by countries like Nigeria and Indonesia.

  • In contrast, the Global North has lower levels of pollution because of better waste management practices, though littering is still a problem.

What is the Global Plastics Treaty?

The Global Plastics Treaty is a global agreement being negotiated under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to tackle plastic pollution. The treaty aims to reduce plastic waste, improve recycling, and promote better waste management worldwide. This treaty brings together representatives from governments, industries, scientists, and environmental groups to find solutions.

Negotiations began in 2023. The next Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) meeting for the Global Plastics Treaty is scheduled for November 25–December 1, 2024 in Busan, South Korea. This meeting is called INC-5 and is expected to finalize the text of the treaty.

Why Does This Matter?

Plastic pollution has lasting effects on the environment and human health. Once plastic waste enters the environment, it can break down into microplastics, which are even harder to clean up. Without immediate action, plastic waste will continue to harm ecosystems, wildlife, and people.

Call to Action

Plastic pollution is a global issue that needs urgent attention. While some countries have made progress in managing their plastic waste, others face major challenges. The Global Plastics Treaty offers hope for coordinated global action to reduce plastic pollution and protect our planet for future generations. Tackling uncollected waste and improving waste management systems, especially in developing countries, will be key steps toward solving this crisis.

By understanding the sources and impacts of plastic pollution, we can all play a part in making our world a cleaner, healthier place.