Fossil Fuel Giants Linked to Dozens of Deadly Heatwaves, Study Finds

Fossil Fuel Giants Linked to Dozens of Deadly Heatwaves, Study Finds
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Emissions from the world’s largest fossil fuel companies have been directly linked to dozens of extreme heatwaves for the first time, The Guardian reported. A new peer-reviewed study published in Nature used attribution science to trace 213 major heatwaves between 2000 and 2023 back to the emissions of 180 “carbon major” companies, including ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco.

The study found that emissions from any one of the top 14 fossil fuel producers made at least 50 heatwaves at least 10,000 times more likely than in a pre-industrial climate. For example, the 2021 heatwave in the Pacific Northwest was intensified by nearly 3°C due to global heating. Researchers concluded that the rise in intensity of heatwaves increased from 1.4°C in the 2000s to 2.2°C in the early 2020s.

The report, described by legal experts as a potential turning point in climate litigation, offers evidence that could support efforts to hold fossil fuel companies accountable. Legal scholars noted that while the science is now strong, hurdles remain in determining court jurisdictions and responsibilities for downstream emissions.

Researchers emphasized that fossil fuel firms have known about the consequences of their products since the 1980s but continued to profit through misinformation and lobbying. Climate advocates argue the findings strengthen calls for compensation, with over 500,000 annual heat-related deaths attributed to rising temperatures globally.