Courts May Beat Congress, U.N. to Punch on Greenhouse Gases
From The New York Times
Legal experts predict that U.S. courts may take the lead in addressing climate change before Congress or international treaties can act. A series of recent federal court decisions—including the 2nd Circuit’s ruling in Connecticut v. AEP—have opened the door for public nuisance lawsuits against major greenhouse gas emitters, potentially forcing companies to change their operations. While some courts have dismissed similar cases, appeals are pending, and legal momentum is building.
Attorneys suggest that in the absence of legislation or global agreements, the judiciary is becoming a key venue for climate action. These cases challenge traditional legal boundaries and could eventually reach the Supreme Court, where a close 5-4 ruling is likely. The legal landscape remains uncertain, but courts are increasingly being compelled to address climate-related harms.
