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California sues 'Big Six' auto makers over global warming SCOTT DEVEAU Globe and Mail Update The state of California launched a lawsuit against the "Big Six" auto makers Wednesday that aims to hold manufacturers liable for the damages caused by greenhouse gases that their products emit, the first of its kind ever to be filed. The lawsuit, launched on behalf of the people of California, alleges that the vehicle emissions from several U.S. and Japanese automobile manufacturers have contributed significantly to global warming, harmed the resources, infrastructure and environmental health, and cost the state millions of dollars to address current and future effects. The complaint alleges that under federal and state common law the auto makers have created a public nuisance by producing millions of vehicles that collectively emit massive quantities of carbon dioxide and contributes to global warming, the statement says. The complaint asks the court to hold the defendants liable for damages, including future harm, caused by their ongoing, substantial contribution to the public nuisance of global warming. "Global warming is causing significant harm to California's environment, economy, agriculture and public health. The impacts are already costing millions of dollars and the price tag is increasing," Mr. Lockyer Wednesday said in a statement. "Vehicle emissions are the single most rapidly growing source of the carbon emissions contributing to global warming, yet the federal government and automakers have refused to act. It is time to hold these companies responsible for their contribution to this crisis." The defendants are listed in the suit filed in U.S. District Court as Chrysler Motors Corporation, General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Honda North America, and Nissan North America. The complaint alleges that the vehicles from all six manufacturers emit a combined 289-million tons of carbon dioxide in the United States each year, nearly 20 per cent of the carbon-dioxide emissions in that country and more than 30 per cent of the emissions in California Mr. Lockyer noted in the complaint that the Bush administration's inaction on global warming has forced California and other states to take action on their own. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing a lawsuit filed by Mr. Lockyer, 11 other attorneys-general, two cities and major environmental groups challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's refusal to regulate greenhouse-gas emissions.

So what do you think, is this states enforcing corporate responsibility due to lack of action from the central government, or just another trendy thing to do for californians?

In my opinion it may not be the best solution to the problem, but its a start. Also forcing this case on the courts will bring the debate to center stage and will demand some sort of opinion to emitted officially on it.

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Poetry>Byron//Blog>TheMean

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Orbax At that point you kind of crossed the rubicon and you might as well lay siege to Rome

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Originally posted by venomX So what do you think, is this states enforcing corporate responsibility due to lack of action from the central government, or just another trendy thing to do for californians?

I'd say more of the latter. People wonder why it's so expensive to do anything in California. Emblematic of our overly-litigious society, particularly on the left coast.

Maybe their goals are genuine at heart, but in the end I don't see how this would be the best path to get there.

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Originally posted by Shakka I'd say more of the latter. People wonder why it's so expensive to do anything in California. Emblematic of our overly-litigious society, particularly on the left coast. Maybe their goals are genuine at heart, but in the end I don't see how this would be the best path to get there.

I agree that it is not the best option, but it could lead to heating up the debate on the environmental problem in the US, at least thats my opinion on it. I think our global situation is getting closer and closer to critical. A lot of past civilizations fell because of how they raped their environment, we should take a cue from them and put this debate in center stage.

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Poetry>Byron//Blog>TheMean

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Orbax At that point you kind of crossed the rubicon and you might as well lay siege to Rome

It's not like people have to use cars. Stupid lawsuit if you ask me

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Originally posted by Shakka I'd say more of the latter. People wonder why it's so expensive to do anything in California. Emblematic of our overly-litigious society, particularly on the left coast. Maybe their goals are genuine at heart, but in the end I don't see how this would be the best path to get there.

Translation: Damn Hippies!

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"...End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...one that we all must take.
The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."

Bunch of ignorant treehugers. What the hell do those people expect the car makers to do, make cars run on water? You cant eliminate CO2 emmisions completely but newer engines get cleaner with every generation .

Also its not the automakers that should take the bleme its the idiot californians in their big engined SUVs. Now im not saying that everyone should buy a prius, i would newer do that i woudnt want my worst enemy to drive that awful car but switching to more economical vehicles would halp. You dont need 300HP to bring home milf from the store.

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I thought California already had some of the toughest legislation for CO2 emissions down there?

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"...End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...one that we all must take.
The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."

great initiative, if only to increase awareness and debate and also encourage the automative industry to create more fuel economic cars

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Originally posted by venomX So what do you think, is this states enforcing corporate responsibility due to lack of action from the central government, or just another trendy thing to do for californians? In my opinion it may not be the best solution to the problem, but its a start. Also forcing this case on the courts will bring the debate to center stage and will demand some sort of opinion to emitted officially on it.

Yes thats exactly what it'll do. In the event of a win for California, the courts are going to have to acknowledge global warming as being true and that human beings have been the major contributor. If the case does see the light of day and is taken seriously by all players, regardless of the outcome its going to have a significant impact on the issue. It seriously exposes the car companies and would have dramatic impact on the future of automobiles if they loose. Damn, I love this state!

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Originally posted by tathi great initiative, if only to increase awareness and debate and also encourage the automative industry to create more fuel economic cars

They alredy are, but you cant expect a 2 tonne 5 litre V8 SUV to be economical. Stick everyone in cali in a clio/punto/206/getz/jazz and youll be surprised how quickly the conditions will change Also all that old american muscle has to go. They are bad cars anyway and those big engines are far from enviromentaly frienly.

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Oh lets blame the corporations. What a bunch of fucking tree-huggers we have running rampant here.

First off, sue the consumers. There are now cheap cars available (while perhaps not exactly easy on the eyes) that get fantastic mileage and are somewhat cleaner for the environment. Now, if demand for these cars was so astounding and consumers were really all just so good-hearted, the eveil corporations would produce more environmentaly friendly cars to cater to the demand shift. BUT, this hasn't really happened, at least in the magnitude needed, so who is to blame? Companies seeking profits like any other capitalist entity would, or the consumers who like to bitch while they drive in their less efficient cars.

This really chafes my nuts since I want to move to Cali, but these goddamn hippies man.

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Lost Souls

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Originally posted by Moongoose Bunch of ignorant treehugers. What the hell do those people expect the car makers to do, make cars run on water? You cant eliminate CO2 emmisions completely but newer engines get cleaner with every generation .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_cell

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